Food & Farming
Food and farming in the Greenbelt is a vital part of Ontario’s heritage and future prosperity. With an abundance of food grown and raised locally, there is tremendous potential to build a regional local food system that supports Greenbelt farmers and agricultural innovation, provides food security for Ontarians, and helps to minimize environmental impacts. The Foundation leads on key agricultural issues including:
- Investing in building a local food economy from developing new markets to enhancing food distribution channels
- Contributing $2.65 million to Greenbelt farmers to improve their operations (leveraging millions of dollars from federal sources), and to employ the opportunities of the Green Energy Act
- Creating Greenbeltfresh.ca, the leading electronic marketplace to source local, Greenbelt foods from over 600 producers
- Funding the Holland Marsh Growers’ transition from an export, commodity focus to one that serves the local market with value-added products
- Securing local food procurement commitments for Peel schools, City of Toronto, City of Markham and others
- Supporting the creation of new multi-cultural crops and development of ethnic local food guides in Toronto and York Region
When we buy Ontario, everyone wins. It’s good for our families, good for farmers, good for the rural economy and good for the environment. In these challenging economic times, it’s important we work together.
Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
ONTARIO GROUPS THANK GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD
Food & Farming | May 14, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 14, 2013ONTARIO GROUPS THANK GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD Consumers will once again be able to seek out and enjoy local foods, thanks to actions taken today by the Government of Canada.This announcement from Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Hon. Gerry Ritz addresses the concerns put forward by Ontario groups, regarding restrictive... Continue reading
Congratulations to Foodshare for the Loudest Great Big Crunch Yet!
Food & Farming | March 21, 2013
Since 2008, FoodShare’s Great Big Crunch has been making noise in classrooms across the province. It is a day of local food education in the classroom ending with the distribution of healthy and delicious local apples and a synchronized ‘Great Big’ classroom ‘Crunch'. Although the Ontario apple shortage this past season meant that students across the country were crunching anything from carrots... Continue reading
Improving Energy-Efficiency on Greenbelt Farms
Food & Farming | February 6, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 6, 2013Pilot Program Reduces Costs for Farmers, Increases Environmental BenefitsThe Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation have partnered to promote innovative, economic farming practices that support the environment. Continue reading
Issue Fact Sheet
Download a copy of our Food & Farming Fact Sheet (PDF)
Learn how the Greenbelt’s rich agricultural land provides fresh and diverse food enough for millions and contributes billions of dollars each year to Ontario’s economy.
Kawartha Heritage Conservancy
A Farming Future for the Eastern Greenbelt
Grants Made:
$84,000 - June 25, 2008
