GUEST COLUMN: Filling your shelves with locally sourced produce helps uplift farmers


“Supporting the locals can make all the difference to your neighbor’s small business and close the loop by keeping the money in your community,” says the director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

It has been another difficult year as we continued to navigate the pandemic while simultaneously juggling our daily roles as entrepreneur, farmer, partner, parent, sibling and friend.

Like a real farmer, our farming community continued to show kindness, generosity and empathy as our industry battled extreme weather conditions, disrupted income streams and volatile markets. Yet we persevered and are now ready to turn the page for a fresh start in 2022.

On the eve of the holiday season, this is an opportunity to reflect on our individual contributions as farmers, the values ​​we share together as an industry and with our consumers, and the collective achievements. of our sector.

Ontario’s agri-food sector has much to be proud of. The food value chain has remained strong and reliable as producers, processors and distributors remain committed to serving Ontarians the highest quality of food, fiber and fuel for the province.

Throughout the pandemic, you have all embodied what it means to be a good neighbor as you have continued to present yourself for your loved ones, colleagues and peers in need. Your work ethic and kindness were one of the few guarantees in these uncertain times.

the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) encourages all Ontarians to continue to support local farming and food communities by sourcing local produce throughout the holidays. Supporting the local can make all the difference to your neighbor’s small business and close the loop by keeping the money in your community. Sourcing local from small businesses gives them extra support in purchasing gifts for loved ones and having a memorable vacation reunion.

Celebrate the achievements of Ontario’s agri-food sector by filling your holiday plates with fresh, local and affordable produce and meats. If possible, buy direct from your local grower and grower or look for the Foodland Ontario logo when shopping at the grocery store. Pick up baked goods from the local bakery, spirits or drinks from distillers, breweries and wineries, and fresh meats to taste from the local butcher. All of these contributors to the food supply chain will be grateful for the support of the community.

If you are decorating for the holidays, make the conscious decision to purchase your evergreen arrangements, poinsettias, and flowers from a local greenhouse or florist. Obtain hostess gifts from local businesses such as the town’s cheese, honey or canning store. Visit your local arborist when looking for a living Christmas tree to decorate with ornaments and lights.

When checking items off your Christmas gift list, search local stores for unique and personal gifts for loved ones. Local carpenters and artisans are eager to make bespoke handcrafted pieces. Or offer local produce with a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant or farm store.

the Made in ontario The website can also be a great resource for giving giveaways and allows you to browse over 750,000 products proudly made in our province. The diverse list of items includes clothing, food, drink, home, garden, tech, and more.

I believe in supporting the locals all the time. Supporting the local throughout the holidays and beyond raises the profile of local foods, keeps money in the local economy and garners support for every link in Ontario’s agri-food supply chain.

Often, it’s easy to forget the connection between the food on the table and the many hands that worked to lift, tend, and harvest it. OFA is committed to further fostering the local support movement through two consumer awareness initiatives – Home grown and Local source.

Both initiatives highlight that agriculture is part of everyone’s life, whether you live in an urban area or a rural community. The key message is that we need to protect our natural resources to ensure that we can produce food for future generations and that we want to better connect with Ontarians on shared values ​​related to local food.

As we approach the start of a new calendar year, I challenge anyone reading this to make local sourcing part of their New Year’s resolution.

And while you’re enjoying all the great local produce, we encourage you to post a social media post or video explaining why and how you get yourself local produce for a chance to win one of four prizes. local Ontario food prices. Use the hashtag #SourceLocal and #MyReason and tag @FarmFoodCareON and @OntarioFarms in your post.

On behalf of the OFA, we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, full of quality time with loved ones and lasting memories in a holiday feast shared across Ontario.

Tracey Arts is a director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

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