Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) announces new funding agreement that will contribute up to $547,200 to Farms & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) outreach initiatives over the next three years.
The Honourable Lisa Thompson spoke and announced the news at FFCO’s annual conference on April 13th. Minister Thompson was the kickoff speaker at this first in-person conference in two years.
“Ensuring Ontarians have the facts on where their food comes from, how it grows, and how it is made is key to growing the next generation of leaders for Ontario’s agri-food sector,” says Thompson. “This important investment will empower Farm and Food Care Ontario to deliver these critical programs.”
The new funding will be put towards the following activities. Five of the organization’s activities are designed to raise awareness and appreciation of Ontario farmers and food producers.
- FFCO’s Breakfast on/from the Farm events provides a unique and personal experience for nonfarming Ontarians to visit and explore agriculture with working farmers each year
- Farm tours for culinary students allows them to learn about raising livestock and horticultural products they prepare in the kitchen
- Interviews, photography and videography work showcasing the critical work that seasonal agricultural workers and temporary foreign workers do in Ontario for the More than a Migrant Worker initiative
- The Garden in a Box program connects home gardeners with Ontario farmers
- Numerous digital consumer outreach activities such as virtual field trips highlighting the diversity of farms and food processing facilities to consumers
“FFCO has always had a reputation for doing great work on incredibly limited budgets,” states Bonnie de Haan, Chair of Farm & Food Care Ontario. “This funding is a huge show of support from the provincial government for the work we do and will really enable us to expand the reach of our initiatives.”