Farms.com Home   News

Ontario Recognizes Retailers Who Promote Locally Grown Food

TORONTO – The Government of Ontario is recognizing 60 grocery stores across the province with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards for their creativity in promoting locally grown fruits and vegetables.

“Congratulations to all the winning stores across Ontario and thank you to everyone who works hard to create great displays promoting Ontario grown foods,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Your commitment to promoting fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables deserves recognition, as it helps to support everyone across the food supply chain and grow the provincial economy.”

For more than 35 years, the Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have recognized grocery stores across the province for their unique and innovative displays that promote locally grown food.

Three Awards of Excellence were given to stores which received Platinum awards in two consecutive years for multiple eye-catching displays of Ontario fruits and vegetables throughout the seasons. The winning stores are:

  • Foodland #3249 in Markdale
  • Longo’s #34 in Stouffville
  • Starsky Fine Foods in Hamilton

"Our team at Foodland Markdale strives to provide customers with the best quality produce, and that usually means Ontario’s very own local food,” said Tawnya Tersigni, Manager of the Foodland store in Markdale. “You could say that local food is the bread and butter of our business and that is why we are proud to work with Foodland Ontario and the provincial government to promote it.”

As part of this annual program, retailers enter photos of their in-store displays that promote locally grown and in-season fruits and vegetables. The annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are the produce industry’s foremost competition for excellence in retail display and promotion in support of farmers and local Ontario foods.

Source : News Ontario

Trending Video

Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.