GUELPH – Over the next four years, the Ontario government plans to spend as much as $1.6 million to help make it more obvious to shoppers which peaches, plums, pears and the like were grown in the province.
“We know that shoppers . . . want to choose the most delicious, fresh food for themselves and their family,” Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack said.
“That’s why it’s so important we highlight homegrown products.”
Flack was speaking to a group of local reporters and fruit industry representatives gathered on Aug. 8 at the Metro grocery store in Guelph for a news conference to announce the funding.
Behind him, and just inside the store’s entrance, was a display stacked with containers and boxes of nectarines, peaches and plums.
Foil balloons featuring the green and white Foodland Ontario logo floated above the display.
The display, featuring what Flack called an “iconic logo,” was an example of the ones that will be purchased with help from the government’s $1.6-million expenditure.
“We know that continuing to place Ontario products front and centre of the store makes local choice easier for our customers,” said Metro Ontario district manager Norma Boyle, who spoke briefly in advance of the agriculture minister’s announcement.
Flack opened by noting the Ontario agriculture and food sector contributes more than $50.6 billion to the province’s gross domestic product.
“It is a very important industry for our economy,” he said.
He went on to express gratitude to the 175 farmers and growers of “tender fruit” in the province, who work to produce the fruits prominently displayed behind him.
Flack later told reporters the government funding would help purchase 7,000 of the displays per year over the next four years.
“These bins will showcase Ontario-grown nectarines, peaches, apricots, plums, fresh table grapes, cherries and pears,” he said.
The money from the government will cover 50 per cent of the cost, with the other half being covered by the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers.
Ontario Tender Fruit Growers chair Phil Tregunno also spoke, expressing appreciation for the government’s support.
“I think everybody in Ontario can appreciate the fact that local product is on the shelf now,” he said, noting the display bins make it easy for people to see local fruit is available as soon as they walk into stores.
“As soon as local product comes in, prices are usually very competitive, so it helps the whole economy,” he added.
Flack said buying Ontario fruit is “supporting the economic growth of our province.”
He noted the food and beverage sector employs more people than the auto sector in Ontario.
“This is one segment of a huge, burgeoning industry,” he said.
