Ontario is encouraging public sector organizations to use more locally grown and produced food by delivering on the commitment to support the province's agri-food sector.
Today, the province proclaimed the final requirement of the Local Food Act, 2013, to encourage public sector organizations, such as hospitals and schools, to use more local food. These organizations represent a big market opportunity for local food and economic growth in communities across the province. Consultations will be held throughout the fall with agri-food stakeholders, public sector organizations and the public to establish aspirational goals and targets.
Ontario has continued to support the local agri-food sector by:
- Establishing first full week in June as Local Food Week
- Preparing an annual Local Food Report highlighting progress made to local food activities
- Creating a tax credit for farmers who donate to local food banks and other community food organizations
- Establishing local food literacy goals
- Establishing local food access goals
Increasing the use of local food across public sector organizations is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs