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
It’s less expensive to preserve the natural environment and the benefits it provides us, than to replace it with man-made infrastructure.
The David Suzuki Foundation Report
Ontario’s Local Food Champions Report Recognizes Innovative Leaders
Food & Farming | February 22, 2012
(Toronto, Ontario) – The growth of Ontario food in our public institutions is inspiring. Today we celebrate those who change the food on plates in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and educational institutions. The Ontario’s Local Food Champions report recognizes five organizations from across the food value chains that exemplify leadership and provide solutions to incorporate more Ontario... Continue reading
Grant Highlight: New Farmers to Grow, New Places to Go
Food & Farming | January 4, 2012
$400,000 grant over three yearsApproximately half of all newcomers to Canada settle in the Golden Horseshoe, bringing with them their skills, energy, cultures and often, farming experience. The University of Guelph’s Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, in partnership with FarmStart, supports new farmers in the Greenbelt by offering multiple tours of the regions, successfully planting... Continue reading
Issue Fact Sheet
Download a copy of our Economy Fact Sheet (PDF)
Ontario’s Greenbelt is the largest and most diverse greenbelt in the world. It protects 1.8 million acres of green space, prime agricultural lands and rural communities.
