Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming present results from Asset Mapping Project
Posted: October 31, 2013
Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Members
On Thursday, October 31, the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance (GHFFA) presented the findings of their Asset Mapping Project to the Municipal Agriculture Economic Developers Conference in Simcoe, Norfolk County. As part of the GHFFA’s Action Plan, this project aimed to understand the agricultural and agri-food assets of the Golden Horseshoe. As clarified by the GHFFA news release investigated assets included farms, food processors, industry suppliers and distributors, infrastructure, research centres, and the service industry.
Moreover, the mapping project has provided the tools required to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the existing assets, while identifying gaps and emerging economic opportunities within the regions’ food and farming cluster. Notably, the data highlighted the strength of the agricultural industry within a near urban environment, and confirmed that the agri-food sector as an essential component of the economy for both the rural and urban areas of the GHFFA region. The Golden Horseshoe region accounts for 38% of total Agri-Food businesses in Ontario.
Finally, the mapping project acted as a collaborative effort between all participating regions and cities, and as a result may stand as a guide for other groups who wish to understand their regional agricultural assets.
For more information read the full media release or contact:
Janet Horner,
Executive Director, Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance
519-925-5975
janet@whitfieldfarms.com
The GHFFA is a partnership between the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, Friends of the Greenbelt, Ontario Ministry of Food and Agriculture (OMAF), and the regional municipalities of Niagara, Peel, Halton, York, and Durham as well as the cities of Hamilton and Toronto.