Features Production Research
Ontario government increasing support for local food

January 19, 2009, Guelph, Ont. – Ontario is boosting grassroots
marketing efforts for Ontario foods and strengthening rural economies
by encouraging more residents and businesses to buy locally grown food.

January 19, 2009, Guelph, Ont. – Ontario is boosting grassroots marketing efforts for Ontario foods and strengthening rural economies by encouraging more residents and businesses to buy locally grown food.

Ontario is initially investing more than $850,000 in 15 projects, including:

• A media awareness campaign to raise the profile of Ontario apples.
• A “Nothing Tastes Like Home” mobile educational trailer to market and promote “buying local” through cooking demonstrations and tasting opportunities at industry, community and school events.
• A Grey/Bruce county project to encourage growers to participate in the local food market, and to demonstrate that using local food is a viable option for area institutions and restaurants.

The investments come from the four-year, $12-million Ontario Market Investment Fund program, which helps develop economic opportunities through trade events, marketing campaigns and industry research initiatives that foster partnerships and collaboration to promote Ontario foods. The program is part of Ontario’s enhanced investment in “buy local” initiatives.

For more information, visit:

Ontario Market Investment Fund – http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/domestic/omif/omif.html

Pick Ontario Freshness – http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/pickontario/