Work is underway to develop the health pillar component of an Ontario Agriculture and Food Strategy that will illustrate how Ontario agriculture and food production can aid provincial health initiatives.
Up to $46,132 will be accessed under Growing Forward 2 (GF2) for this project. Program officials state the pillar will ensure a successful and sustainable future for Ontario farmers, food companies and bio-economy firms, and will contribute to a stronger economy and healthier province.
The Presidents’ Council, leaders representing 28 different Ontario agricultural groups, identified three pillars necessary to complete the final Ontario Agriculture and Food Strategy, which include: economic growth, health and environment. This project is working to produce a framework and recommendations for the health pillar.
Rising health care costs are a provincial priority and a better understanding of the ways in which the agri-food industry contributes to improved health outcomes is required, officials state. Linking food and health into one pillar will provide benefits to both sectors.
“The connection between our health and the food that we eat is almost too obvious,” says Kelly Ciceran, general manager of Ontario Apple Growers, a member of the Presidents’ Council and lead applicant for this project. “Through this project, stronger efforts are being made to improve human health and well-being with specific strategies to ensure health and nutritional goals are clearly articulated and linked to food production.”
In the short-term, the health pillar component, that complements and enhances health sector initiatives to improve the health of Ontarians of an Ontario Agriculture and Food Strategy, will be completed.
In the longer-term, this component will assist in reducing provincial health care costs, promote economic prosperity in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector and will contribute to the development of a national strategy and other provincial initiatives.
A group, with expertise in agriculture, nutrition and health, has recently been approved to assist in the writing of the health pillar.
“The agriculture industry and the opportunities in Ontario are different than in other provinces,” says Kristin Ego MacPhail, AAC chair.
“This is why the development of an Agriculture and Food Strategy specific to Ontario, and tailored to our economic, demographic and environmental conditions, is required,” she added.
The AAC is based in Guelph, and is a leader in program delivery.
The AAC is a not-for-profit organization that is made up of 66 Ontario agricultural, agri-food and rural organizations. The AAC board of directors reviews all applications and makes the final funding decisions.
GF2 is a comprehensive federal-provincial-territorial initiative aimed at encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sector. The AAC assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.
