By Ethan Wallace, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

This week, June 1 to 7, marks Local Food Week in Ontario — a time to celebrate the incredible diversity of food, fibre, fuel and flowers produced by farmers across our province.

My family and I farm in the Seaforth area near Lake Huron, and for those of us who farm, Local Food Week is an opportunity to reflect on something many Ontarians may not always see: the tremendous pride farmers take in what we do.

Whether it’s a field of corn emerging in spring, a herd of healthy sheep grazing in a pasture, a greenhouse full of tomatoes, dairy cows producing milk every day, or the first strawberries or cut flowers of the season arriving at a farm stand, farmers feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that our work helps feed families and communities.

I can tell you firsthand that there is a simple but powerful feeling that comes from looking at a crop, an animal or a finished product and being able to say, “I helped produce that.”

That pride extends beyond individual farms. It is reflected in the pride many Ontarians feel when they choose food and products grown or raised close to home.

In some ways, supporting local agriculture is a bit like cheering for your favourite sports team. You want to see your community succeed. You want to support local people. And you take pride in knowing the products you’re buying were produced right here in Ontario or Canada.

In Ontario, we’re lucky to have one of the most diverse agricultural sectors anywhere in the world. Thanks to our climate, productive farmland and innovative farmers, our province produces more than 200 different farm and food products.

From fruits and vegetables to meat, eggs, dairy, grains, flowers, fish, wine, honey and more, Ontario farmers grow and raise an incredible variety of products for local, national and international markets.

At a time when conversations about food security, supply chains and economic uncertainty are becoming more common, supporting local agriculture has never been more important.

Every dollar spent on Ontario food helps support farm families, local businesses, processors, transportation companies and rural communities. It helps strengthen our food system and maintain the capacity to produce food close to home.

The good news is that supporting local has never been easier.

Many grocery stores across Ontario do an excellent job highlighting local products and making them easy to find. Seeing them on store shelves reminds us that behind every local food purchase is a farm family, a processor and a community working together.

Farmers’ markets are reopening or ramping up for the season, and roadside stands and on-farm markets are opening their doors, offering consumers an opportunity to meet the people who grow and raise their food.

Right now, Ontarians can already find early-season favourites such as asparagus and rhubarb, with strawberries soon making their much-anticipated appearance. As the growing season progresses, the selection of fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables will continue to expand.

Of course, local food isn’t limited to the summer months. Many products are available year-round, so choosing local can be a habit that supports Ontario agriculture every month of the year.

One of the easiest ways consumers can support local food is simply by looking for the logos that identify Ontario and Canadian products. The Foodland Ontario logo, the blue dairy cow symbol, Ontario Corn Fed Beef, the Ontario Pork checkmark or the pickOntario flower symbol are just some examples that help us quickly identify products from close to home.

And if you don’t see local options, ask. Ask your grocery store manager where the Ontario products are. Ask restaurants where their ingredients come from. Ask for Ontario and Canadian food.

As farmers, we work hard every day to care for our land, our animals and our crops. We take seriously our responsibility to protect soil, water and air while producing safe, high-quality food for consumers.

Local Food Week is a chance to celebrate those efforts and recognize the people behind the products. It is also a reminder that every purchasing decision can make a difference.

For more information or to arrange an interview:

Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
[email protected] | 519-821-8883