Discover These 10 Ontario Food Treasures on Canada Food Day!

Saturday, July 30th marks the 13th Annual Canada Food Day where we have the chance to celebrate those who work hard to bring us fresh, delicious, local food!

This year, Food Day Canada has launched Shop Like A Canadian, which lists 149 ingredients that are produced in Canada and addresses the common misunderstandings regarding Canadian food labeling.

Food Day Canada has also partnered with over 250 restaurants across the Country who have committed to creating their own hyper-local menu’s for the day.

Ontarian’s are lucky to be surrounded by a variety of fresh, local food providers. Here are 10 Ontario farmers and initiatives across the province working to bring you local food:

1. Localize is the only local shelf labeling program in North America. Their labeling system helps connect producers to market their goods; helps grocers to increase their sales of local food; and helps shoppers make informed local food purchases.

2. Pfennings Organics is an organic health products and food store offering a food basket delivery service located in St. Agatha. Pfennings is committed to providing affordable, fresh, certified organic, local food to Waterloo Region, Brantford, Paris, Guelph, Fergus, Elora, Elmira and Stratford.

3. Homestead Organics, located in Eastern Ontario, provides a variety of products and services including a retail store that is stocked with local, organic food as well as providing services to hundreds of farmers. By supporting Ontario’s farmers, Homestead Organics is ensuring local food will continue to be available for consumers in Ontario.

4. Y U Ranch, located in Tilsonburg, is a sustainable cattle ranching operation which produces a variety of 100% grass fed beef products. Their local, grass fed beef products can be found in several restaurants in South Western Ontario and the GTA.

5. Asparagus Farmers of Ontario are committed to providing Ontarian’s with fresh, local asparagus when in season. They provide tips on how to pick good quality asparagus and they also provide a variety of inventive, delicious recipes to encourage consumers to be creative with their local asparagus.

6. AVOFARM is an organic farm which produces a variety of vegetables for South Western Ontario and the GTA.  It’s mission is to provide Ontarian’s with daily, fresh, and healthy food in a sustainable manner. 

7. Roots to Harvest engages youth with local agricultural activities on urban farm spaces in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas. By connecting at-risk youth with local food production its encouraging the next generation to think locally with regards to their food system.

8. Forgotten Harvest collects prepared and perishable food from a variety of sources such as farmers, grocery stores, and restaurants and safely delivers this food to emergency food providers, primarily in Windsor Essex County. Forgotten Harvest is working to ensure that all Ontarians, regardless of income, have access to fresh, local food.

9. Round The Bend Farm, located in Kettleby, is a working family farm that produces naturally grown turkeys, as well as seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. They have an on-farm market and a CSA available to ensure their community has fresh, local food.