Country’s First Certified Local Farmers’ Markets Open in Toronto
For Immediate Release
July 6, 2007
TORONTO – John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, today visited one of the first certified local farmers’ markets in the country to celebrate the local fresh produce season and agricultural products from Ontario’s Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt permanently protects from development 1.8 million acres of agricultural and environmentally sensitive land around the Greater Golden Horseshoe, including prime agricultural and special crop lands.
“We are very fortunate to live so close to some of the world’s richest farmlands,” said Gerretsen. “The Greenbelt protects farmland so that we, and many future generations of Ontarians, may continue to enjoy foods that are grown and raised close to home.”
“Farmers’ markets allow Ontario’s food producers to showcase their high quality Ontario-grown food products,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “If everyone buys Ontario products, everyone wins, because we’re supporting our farmers and processors, our economy, our environment and ourselves with healthy, fresh food from here at home.”
Farmers’ Markets Ontario recently opened the country’s first two certified local farmers markets—MyMarket Woodbine Centre and MyMarket Liberty Village. Vendors must complete a farm inspection to verify their products are produced locally.
“The new markets are wonderful assets for residents of Rexdale and Liberty Village, offering them access to fresh, local foods,” said Shafiq Qaadri, Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke North.
The government’s broad, province-wide Pick Ontario Freshness strategy will complement and support producer-led branding and marketing campaigns. The government is contributing $12.5 million to the strategy, which includes a consumer awareness campaign designed to increase interest and demand for local foods across the province, expands the Foodland Ontario program to more fresh food products, and boosts the Savour Ontario program in fine dining and vacation establishments.
“Ontarians have taken a keen interest in their food and where it comes from,” said Robert Chorney, Executive Director, Farmers’ Markets Ontario. “The new MyMarkets provide a direct link between real farmers and consumers looking for fresh, local produce.”
The Greenbelt is part of the McGuinty government’s comprehensive approach to planning for growth that calls for more energy efficient, compact, pedestrian and transit-oriented development. This approach will result in more sustainable communities, preserved farmland and fewer carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change.
The Greenbelt has earned a number of accolades recently, including the Canadian Institute of Planners’ Award of Excellence in Environmental Planning and a special award from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario.
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Contacts:
Patti Munce
Minister Gerretsen’s Office
416 585-6333 Audrey Bennett
Provincial Planning Policy Branch
416 585-6014
