Consumers want local foods but are reluctant to pay more: survey Tuesday, July 12, 2011 by SUSAN MANNThere’s a disconnection between consumers’ stated preference for local foods and their willingness to pay more for them, according to a recent Farm Credit Canada-sponsored survey.Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Bette Jean Crews says those results aren’t surprising. Released today, the survey found that despite 95 per cent of respondents agreeing that buying locally–grown food is a priority or a preference only 43 per cent are willing to pay more for local products.But having a personal connection with a farmer or someone in the agricultural industry seems to make a difference. Survey respondents knowing someone who owns or works on a farm or agribusiness or who have visited a farm were more likely to consider buying locally-grown or Canadian products a priority and they are also willing to pay more for them.Crews says that’s very believable because that’s human nature. “We’re trying to address that through the National Food Strategy, with part of that being an education component to government and the consumer as to what it means to buy local and how to identify it.”The Farm Credit survey also found that Ontario consumers were more likely to state that buying locally grown and Canadian products is a priority and are willing to pay more for them compared to consumers in other provinces.In a press release, Farm Credit Canada president and CEO Greg Stewart says “it would benefit the industry and our customers if the public knew more about the business of agriculture and recognize that agriculture is big, dynamic and complex.”The online survey was done March 8-10 from a sample of 2,015 Canadians who are Angus Reid Forum panel members, it says in Farm Credit’s press release. BF Ontario's wheat harvest off to a slow start Manitoulin abattoir reduces slaughter expense
The Ontario region names its provincial Outstanding Young Farmers of 2024 Friday, August 30, 2024 Image supplied by Outstanding Young Farmers Partners DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman of Haybury Farms Inc., located at Jarvis, were named for 2024 at their regional event held near Guelph on August 22, 2024. Matt Bergman grew up on a dairy farm and started farming for himself at the... Read this article online
Easy and Convenient Organization – Wherever You Go Friday, August 30, 2024 Byline: Nevan Hagarty and Braxten Breen It’s hard enough to maintain good organization on the farm, but when it comes to your tool bench, that’s where the real challenge begins. Not knowing where tools are, misplacing small fasteners and fittings, and forgetting that one specific... Read this article online
Agri-Tech innovation gets $22.6M boost in Ontario Friday, August 30, 2024 Investments in everything from electric sprayer for its field nursery crops to reverse osmosis equipment Ontario and Canada have jointly invested up to $22.6 million to support businesses in adopting innovative technologies and practices. The investments are to enhance the efficiency and... Read this article online
Ecorobotix appoints CEO for Swiss company’s NA division Thursday, August 29, 2024 Image supplied by Ecorobotix Inc. Ecorobotix Inc., the North American division of the Swiss ag tech and AI company, Ecorobotix SA, has appointed Cameron Holbrook as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ecorobotix Inc., established in 2023 and based in Salinas, California, brings the... Read this article online
OFA asking farmers to take Cultivating Local survey Thursday, August 29, 2024 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is asking farmers to complete a survey about local selling opportunities. The organization is giving producers until Sept. 16 to fill out the Cultivating Local survey. “We’re looking to better understand farmers that are already or who want... Read this article online