GUELPH – Ontarians will now have a day dedicated to local food – Food Day Ontario, scheduled for the Saturday before the summer’s August long weekend.

 Food Day Ontario was introduced as a private member’s bill proposed by MPP Vincent Ke. Bill 163, Food Day Ontario (Food Day Canada in Ontario) Act, 2019 was introduced to the legislature in December 2019 and completed second reading at Queen’s Park today.

This new act proclaims the first Saturday immediately before the August Civic Holiday as Food Day Ontario (Food Day Canada in Ontario). Adding Food Day Ontario to the calendar recognizes the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our provincial agri-food sector – from farmers and food processors to chefs and cooks at home, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) said.

“Congratulations to MPP Vincent Ke for driving this initiative to recognize the importance of agriculture and food to our province,” says Keith Currie, president of the OFA. “Promoting local food and our agri-food sector will strengthen and enhance Ontario’s economy overall. Food Day Ontario also serves to another focal point to promote food literacy and food access, both important aspects of improving the overall health of our province.”

Ontario grows and produces the most variety of food in our country – more than 200 different farm and food products. Food Day Ontario (Food Day Canada in Ontario) is expected to recognize and encourage more Ontarians to buy local and support our farmers, rural communities and their local economies.

“Ontario’s diverse and innovative agri-food industry feeds our population, fuels our rural communities and drives the provincial economy, contributing more than $47 billion to our province’s annual GDP,” says Currie. “Ontario farmers and food processors produce safe, nutritious, high quality foods and dedicating a day to the celebration of food will serve to raise awareness and encourage Ontarians to choose to buy and appreciate our local bounty.”

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.