Wynn defends proposed Local Food Act Thursday, April 18, 2013 by SUSAN MANN The reintroduced Local Food Act is currently in second reading at Queen’s Park and continues to face criticism from the Progressive Conservatives. Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says in an April 19 press release Bill 36, the Local Food Act, misses many opportunities to address challenges in local food production, distribution and education. He’s also concerned the bill, which includes a local food week that starts the Monday before Thanksgiving, will replace Ontario Agriculture Week with Local Food Week. The week before Thanksgiving has been earmarked as Ontario Agriculture Week since 1998 to recognize farmers. But in a prepared statement, Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne says Agriculture Week has been a great vehicle for recognizing Ontario farmers. “The addition of Local Food Week does not replace this recognition but adds to it.” She also says “this important piece of legislation is designed to increase awareness of, and access to, local food. We know that when consumers choose to buy the good things that grow in Ontario, we’re supporting made-in-Ontario jobs and a healthy population.” Bill 36 aims to make more local food available in the province’s markets, grocery stores and institutions. Wynne reintroduced the bill in March after a previous one died last year when the Ontario legislature was temporarily suspended in October by Dalton McGuinty, former premier. BF Agriculture's net worth increased from 2003 to 2011 says bank analyst Ontario cheese takes top spot
Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag Friday, July 24, 2026 A new two-year pilot project is designed to help livestock farmers in Quebec by giving them access to an Ontario abattoir. The project, a collaboration between the Quebec and Ontario governments, with additional support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would see a limited... Read this article online
Canada Opens Interprovincial Alcohol Sales Thursday, July 23, 2026 A major change to Canada's internal marketplace is set to create new opportunities for wineries, breweries and distilleries after nine provinces signed a landmark agreement allowing direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages across participating jurisdictions. The deal is being hailed... Read this article online
Heat and Rain have led to a challenging growing season for Cauliflower Growers in Ontario. Thursday, July 23, 2026 There are only 1,225 acres dedicated to growing cauliflower in Ontario, but they produce 14,545,000 lbs of the vegetable. Growers across key vegetable-producing regions are preparing for increased shipments of locally grown cauliflower to grocery stores, restaurants, wholesalers and... Read this article online
Who Knew so Much Canadian Watermelon is Grown in Ontario Thursday, July 23, 2026 Many consumers may think of watermelon as an exotic fruit, but Ontario grows about2,000 acresof watermelons each year, more than 35,084tonnesof watermelon.Watermelonharvest now is underway. Watermelon originated in northeastern Africa, particularly in the region that today includes Sudan... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Harvest One of Canada’s Top Carrot Crops Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Carrots are among Ontario's most important vegetable crops, contributing significantly to local food production and year-round fresh produce availability. Ontario grows the most carrots of any Canadian province – 45% of the country’s carrots. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario... Read this article online