Farm & Food Care Ontario celebrates 10 years with new funding agreement

A new funding agreement that will contribute up to $547,200 to Farm & Food Care Ontario’s (FFCO) outreach activities over the next three years was announced by Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Lisa Thompson at FFCO’s annual meeting on April 13 in Elora. 

“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,” Thomson said in a news release. “This important investment will empower Farm and Food Care Ontario to deliver these critical programs.”

The new funding specifically supports five of FFCO’s outreach activities, all designed to increase awareness and appreciation of Ontario farmers. 

FFCO will now be able to host livestock and horticulture farm tour days for culinary students, an initiative that was proven successful in the past but has not fit into the organization’s budget for many years.

The funding will support interviews, photography and videography to expand the More than a Migrant Worker campaign that showcases the work of seasonal agricultural workers and temporary foreign workers across the province. 

Digital outreach activities grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the new funding will ensure continuation of virtual field trips to farm and food processing facilities hosted live on Facebook and YouTube. 

Breakfast on the Farm (which shifted to become Breakfast from the Farm drive-through events during the pandemic) and the Garden-in-a-Box program will also receive a boost. 

OMAFRA’s funding agreement represents the first time FFCO has received provincial dollars for public trust work. It was made available through the Grassroots Growth Initiative and will match up to 50 per cent of FFCO’s expenses for the five outreach activities each year until 2025.

Kelly Daynard, FFCO executive director, met with Thomson last fall to update the ministry on the organization’s projects. Since FFCO’s sister groups in Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island had received public trust funding from their provincial governments, Daynard inquired about similar support in Ontario and was encouraged to apply.

“We were absolutely gratified when we got word that OMAFRA would be funding these programs for the next three years,” she says.

Daynard said COVID-19 has not had a significant impact on FFCO’s funding. While some member organizations had to reallocate their sponsorship budgets due to the pandemic, ensuring FFCO remains intact has been a priority for many.

“The support from the industry has been amazing,” she says. “We’re so grateful that the bulk of our work continues to be funded by members and member organizations.”

2022 marks 10 years since the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) and Agricultural Groups Concerned about Resources and the Environment (AGCare) amalgamated to form FFCO.

It is an important milestone and Daynard says the organization is building on the 25 years of work accomplished as OFAC and AGCare. The advocacy work is 35 years old this year and the new name has been used for the last decade, she says. 

FFCO suggests 10 ways to celebrate the anniversary at farmfoodcareon.org/ffco10years.