Dombrowsky Challenge: Put Ontario Food on Your Plate

October 6, 2008

NEWS

Make Ontario food part of every meal - that's the challenge issued by Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to kick off Ontario Agriculture Week, which starts today and runs until Thanksgiving.

The week provides Ontarians with an opportunity to reflect on the contributions made by farmers and to support them by buying locally produced food.

The McGuinty government has already made significant investments in building local markets for local products, with $56 million for the Pick Ontario Freshness and Farmers' Market strategies over the next four years. These strategies also include:

• $12 million over four years through the Ontario Market Investment Fund to help groups promote consumer awareness of Ontario-produced foods and to encourage Ontarians to buy locally.
• Expansion of the Foodland Ontario program to include deli, fresh meats, dairy and baked goods.

QUOTES

"I am challenging everyone to buy the fresh, high quality food that is grown and produced in Ontario," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "When we buy Ontario products, we're not just getting food that tastes great, we're helping our farmers, our economy and our environment."

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario's agri-food industry contributes more than $30 billion to the economy every year and employs more than 700,000 people, making it the second largest contributor to the provincial economy after the automotive industry.
• Ontario has more than 3,500 food and beverage processing companies employing approximately 120,000 people. This is approximately 40 per cent of the Canadian industry.
• Eighty seven per cent of shoppers say they would prefer to buy Ontario-grown produce.

LEARN MORE

Check out what's fresh in Ontario fruits and vegetables.
Learn how you can Pick Ontario Freshness.
Discover how you can Pear Up Ontario at more than 70 restaurants across the province throughout October

For more information contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342