School Meals Could Drive Growth in Ontario and Greenbelt Agri-Food Sectors, New Report Finds
Posted: June 4, 2026
Categories: News from Sustain Ontario
Press Release | TORONTO, June 4 —
As Ontario celebrates Local Food Week from June 1 to June 7, Growing Local: Strengthening School Food Programs with Ontario Food, a report facilitated by Sustain Ontario, produced by Wilton Consulting Group, and funded by the Schad and Greenbelt Foundations, was released. It draws attention to a simple yet largely overlooked solution to support the province’s competitive and self-reliant agri-food sector: school food programs. With global trade tensions and tariffs on the rise, the report highlights that these programs could help drive demand for both Ontario-grown and regionally-grown food, potentially opening up a $200 million annual market.
Ontario’s agri-food sector is a cornerstone of the provincial economy, providing over $50 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing almost 900,000 people. The Ontario Greenbelt region alone generates $9.6 million dollars a year and sustains 177,700 full-time employment opportunities through its agricultural sector.
School food programs are essential elements of students’ health and learning, with Ontario’s Student Nutrition Programs providing over 140 million meals and snacks to over one million students across the province every year. Every region in Ontario, including the Ontario Greenbelt, holds significant potential for local food production that can support these invaluable programs, in addition to Ontario-wide production.
With more than 48,000 farms producing over 200 types of food, the province already supplies more than half of what Ontarians consume. The Greenbelt alone protects 750,000 acres of highly productive farmland, including major crops such as apples, peaches, carrots, and sweet corn.
Highlighting two case studies in the Southwest and Central West regions, the report outlines practical steps to better connect farmers, distributors, and schools, helping deliver high-quality, locally grown food to students while strengthening the regional food system. By offering concrete recommendations, the report provides key stakeholders and decision-makers with actionable solutions to unlock the immense potential of Ontario’s and Greenbelt’s farms.
In addition to Sustain Ontario’s longstanding request for sufficient, dedicated funding for school food programs (with targets for regional and Ontario food procurement, indexed with available supply), this report outlines further critical pathways.
Report’s Key Recommendations:
- Foster partnerships between schools and regional farmers, fishers, harvesters, and local processors to support their local school food programs;
- Ensure better connections between local food producers and processors and Ontario’s Student Nutrition Program;
- Fund a provincial school food and logistics coordinator;
- Create a funding stream dedicated to supporting local food and processing innovations;
- Develop a seasonal menu toolkit for schools;
- Streamline data collection and reporting systems; and
- Map the school food supply system in Ontario.
Quotes:
Edward McDonnell, CEO, Greenbelt Foundation, said: “By protecting food production near Ontario’s major population centres, the Greenbelt helps ensure our students have access to fresh, home-grown food, which is essential for their wellbeing and success. Expanding local food procurement in our schools provides unique economic and social benefits while ensuring our food systems are healthier for both people and the planet.”
Phil Mount: Chair, Sustain Ontario, said: “Every dollar spent that supports Indigenous and Ontario producers, harvesters, fishers, processors generates a powerful ripple effect. Investing in food procurement programs that have both regional and provincial targets is one of the most effective ways to drive equitable economic growth across the province, strengthening urban, rural, and remote economies. By linking farmers, distributors, and schools, this report outlines one clear avenue to put the Grow Ontario vision into action.”
Peter Kendall, Executive Director, The Schad Foundation, said: “Expanding local food procurement in Ontario schools will strengthen regional food systems, boost rural economies, and build students’ understanding of food and agriculture. With coordinated effort, investment, and innovation, Ontario can ensure students are nourished with healthy, local, and sustainable food.”
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About Greenbelt Foundation
Greenbelt Foundation is a charitable organization, solely dedicated to ensuring Ontario’s Greenbelt remains permanent, protected, and prosperous. The Foundation receives core funding from the Government of Ontario as well as other public and private support to make strategic investments that enhance and improve the systems and productivity of the Greenbelt. Since 2005, the Foundation has funded and leveraged more than $100 million through investment in its interconnected natural, agricultural, and economic systems, to ensure a working, thriving Greenbelt for all.
As one of the world’s largest greenbelts, Ontario’s Greenbelt protects 2 million acres of farmland, forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes that work together to provide clean air, fresh water, and a reliable local food source. For more information, visit: greenbelt.ca.
Instagram: @ongreenbelt
Facebook: Ontario Greenbelt
LinkedIn: Greenbelt Foundation
About The Schad Foundation
The Schad Foundation is a charitable foundation that works to build a healthy future for people and nature through grants supporting environmental education, biodiversity conservation, and access to nutrition. For more information, visit: https://www.schadfoundation.com/
LinkedIn: The Schad Foundation
About Sustain Ontario
Sustain is a province-wide, cross-sectoral alliance of organizations that work through collaborative action towards productive, equitable and sustainable food and farming systems that support the health and wellbeing of all people in Ontario/Indigenous Territories. For more information, visit: https://sustainontario.com/
Instagram: @SustainOntario
Facebook: SustainOnt
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dina Ni
Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
Greenbelt Foundation
dni@greenbelt.ca
Heather Thoma
Provincial Animator
Ontario Chapter of the Coalition for Healthy School Food
Sustain Ontario
heather@sustainontario.com