Ontario is a province overflowing with nutritious and delicious food.
From Oct. 6 to 11, Farm & Food Care, Foodland Ontario and Ontario’s 37,000 farm families will be celebrating the people that make that possible during Ontario Agriculture Week.
Ontario is home to families who produce meat, eggs, dairy products, fruits and vegetables for Ontarians during all months of the year. By supporting them and the food they produce, we all benefit economically, environmentally and socially.
There are many events being planned to celebrate the week, including a breakfast on the farm for 2,000 people near Newcastle; soup prepared by many great chefs in the Holland Marsh and a chance for 150 farmers to meet and thank 20,000 football fans for buying their food.
“I feel it’s a great honour and privilege to feed my country. Ontario Agriculture Week is our chance to say thank you for buying our food,” says John Maaskant, chicken farmer and chair of Farm & Food Care. “By supporting local food, you support farmers, the environment and stronger communities.”
Wondering how you can celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week? Here are a few tips:
– Support your local farmers by choosing Ontario products all year long. Invite your friends and family over for a local dinner and celebrate;
– Share your love of local food and Ontario’s farmers on social media using the hashtag #loveONTfood; or
– Tour a farm virtually or find out more about how your food is produced here at home by visiting www.farmfoodcare.org.
Visit www.loveONTfood.ca for a list of resources on Ontario food and farming and more ideas on how to join in on the local food celebrations.
Farm & Food Care Ontario is a coalition of farmers, agriculture and food partners working together to ensure public trust and confidence in food and farming. Farm & Food Care provides a coordinated approach and credible information on food and farming in Ontario.
Ontario Agriculture Week special features:
– Breakfast on the farm on Oct. 4 at Wilmot Orchards in Newcastle. Enjoy a free local breakfast and visit a farm. Tickets are free for the first 2,000 attendees and can be reserved at www.farmfoodcare.org;
– SoupFest is on Oct. 4 in the Holland Marsh. Tickets and details are available at www.hollandmarshsoupfest.ca;
– A tribute to farmers night will be held Oct. 10 at the Toronto Argonauts football game in Toronto against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Over 150 farmers will meet and thank fans for buying their food; or
Show your love for #loveONTfood through a new photo contest where participants can show their #loveONTfood love by submitting photos taken with their favourite food provider – farmer, retailer, chef, restaurateur, butcher etc. Submit to contests@farmfoodcare.org and use the #loveONTfood hashtag on social media.
