Achievements of Members in 2016 and Happy New Year!

Author: Shannon Coulter-Low

Posted: December 28, 2016

Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario

We’re ringing in the new year by congratulating Sustain Ontario members for their 2016 achievements! We look forward to continuing to support our members and to strengthen food systems across the province. Check out these 5 members who had particularly outstanding achievements this past year.

 

Asparagus Farmers of Ontario

This month, the Asparagus Farmers of Ontario received an award for “agri-food innovation excellence” from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, according to the Simcoe Reformer. The organization played a critical role in developing a new variety of asparagus called the Guelph Millennium, known as the hardiest and best-tasting strain of asparagus in the world. AFO is a Norfolk County based organization that represents about 90 asparagus growers.

 

 

Toronto Food Policy Council

This year, the TFPC released “Food by Ward”, a series of resources which document food assets and opportunities across the City of Toronto. According to the TFPC website, the resource aims to “grow the City of Toronto’s appetite for using food assets to solve city problems; make it easier for City staff and officials to see and use community food assets strategically and; inspire, support and guide community Food Champions in their work”. The TFPC develops innovative policies and projects that provides a forum for action and supports a health-focused food system.

Beau’s Brewery

The Eastern Ontario brewery has broadened it’s horizons by launching a craft brewery project in Rwanda, successfully raising funds to build a female owned and operated business. The craft brewery will be Canadian-inspired but will use local ingredients whenever possible, and aims to provide health services, training and education to the women working there. Beau’s is an organic, family-run and award-winning craft brewery, located in Vankleek Hill.

 

ALUS Canada

At the Clean50 Summit in Toronto in September, ALUS Canada earned a Clean50 award for its “innovative approach to creating new markets for grassroots conservation”, according to the organization’s website. Clean50 awards are given to those who have “done the most to advance the cause of sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada over the past two years”. ALUS Canada is a community-developed and farmer-delivered program that sustains agriculture and the environment by funding farmers who produce valuable ecological services.

Y U Ranch

This year, Texas Longhorn Cattle rancher Bryan Gilvesy and his farm Y U Ranch brought home the Clean50 Award for the Artisan Supplier of the Year (Ontario Hostelry Institute) and the Environmental Stewardship Award (Beef Farmers of Ontario). The ranch is a leader in sustainable agriculture and works with ALUS to help conserve and restore natural resources.