A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
LOCAL FOOD WEEK IS COMING!
Ontario’s second annual Local Food Week is June 1-7, 2015! It’s our opportunity to celebrate the amazing food and beverages made, grown or harvested right here in Ontario.
There are already so many great things that individuals and organizations do every day to celebrate local food and beverages. The goal of Local Food Week is to share these ideas with each other and inspire even more celebrations.
Here are some quick tips on how YOU can participate in this year’s Local Food Week celebrations June 1-7 and all year long:
• Social media: Include #loveONTfood in all your tweets, Instagrams, Facebook posts, and other social media sharing; Join the Twitter party on June 3rd at 8:00 p.m.
• Websites & ads: If you have a website, blog or advertising options, visit www.loveONTfood.ca to download and include a local food celebration button so your readers can easily find everything they need to know about Local Food.
• Barbecues & dinners: Host a local food celebration barbecue encouraging others to do the same, all the while enjoying delicious Ontario food, wine and beer.
• Signs & posters: Do you or anyone you know have a road sign or counter space to display a local food week sign? Proudly tell those driving by or visiting to “Celebrate local food! www.loveONTfood.ca” by including the website or hashtag.
• Talk to food partners: Speak with your favourite local restaurant, market, butcher or grocery store and encourage them to join the local food celebration.
• Talk with friends & family: Let your book club, school group, friends and family know its Local Food Week and share loveONTfood.ca with them in person, by email, Facebook or text.
• Spread the word: Pass this tip sheet on to others you know who are passionate about local food.
• Your ideas here…think creative and fun: Share what you did or plan to do to celebrate local food with us too by email at info@farmfoodcare.org or tweeting it including #loveONTFood
What you’ll find at www.loveONTfood.ca:
• Downloadable local food celebration graphics for your use to help spread the News and to show your support.
• Links to fantastic farm sites, information, Q & As, and more.
• Links to great recipes, Ontario food buying tips, resources, and more.
• A link to RSVP and join the #loveONTfood Twitter party on Wednesday, June 3.
• A listing of Local Food Week #loveONTfood events around the province;
• A Local Food Week photo gallery
RETURN YOUR EMPTY SEED AND PESTICIDE BAGS! – CleanFARMS
This pilot project is part of the agricultural industry’s commitment to the responsible management of its products throughout their entire lifecycle.
Please do your part and help develop a successful collection program.
When? May to September
Where? Collection sites: Visit www.cleanfarms.ca to find a collection site near you or call 1-877-622-4460
What? Empty seed bags: paper and polywoven plastic bags; regular and bulk bag
Empty pesticide bags: paper, plastic and multi-material
How to return your bags?
1. Pick up free plastic collection bags from your collection site. Use only the bags that are labelled ‘contains clean, empty pesticide and seed bags for safe disposal at an approved collection site.’
2. Ensure that your seed or pesticide bags are empty. Minimize dust during handling.
3. Place the empty bags in the plastic bag and tie it at the end. Any bulk bags that cannot fit in the plastic collection bag should be placed in another bulk bag.
4. Return your full, tied bags to your collection site. Bags will be accepted free of charge. They will be safely disposed of at a high temperature incinerator and used to produce energy.
