Province Puts Focus On Local Food

McGuinty Government Jump-Starts Rural Economy

Ontario is boosting local food sales by supporting marketing projects across the province.

To promote the local foods that fuel the people, communities and economies of rural Ontario, the province is investing in 11 new projects through the Ontario Market Investment Fund, including:

• Developing an ‘Ontario Natural’ brand of foods
• Supporting the Newmarket Main Street Farmers’ Market, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The four-year Ontario Market Investment Fund program has invested more than $2.5 million in 46 projects to date.  The program helps develop economic opportunities through trade events, marketing campaigns and industry research initiatives that promote Ontario foods. The program is part of Ontario’s enhanced investment in ‘buy local’ initiatives. 

QUOTES

“This investment will boost the economy and protect the environment by supporting industry and community efforts to sell fresh foods that are grown and made right here in Ontario,”
- Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.   

QUICK FACTS

• The Foodland Ontario program has expanded to include meat, dairy and eggs in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables.
  
• The agri-food industry contributes more than $33 billion to the Ontario economy and employs about 700,000 people.

• The Ontario government is investing $24 million over three years to develop the logistics to get more Ontario-grown food into the province's schools, hospitals, food service companies and other institutions.

LEARN MORE

About the Ontario Market Investment Fund program, and the projects it helps finance.

About Pick Ontario Freshness.

For more information, contact:

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