Farm and Food Care Ontario gets $597,000 in program funding

Farm and Food Care Ontario has received a $597,000 investment from the provincial government that will help support its public outreach initiatives.

The organization said in a release the funding will enhance its ability to expand programming and connect with a broader audience across Ontario and beyond.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness announced the three-year funding agreement with Farm and Food Care Ontario June 5.

“This show of support by the province is extremely encouraging for the direction of FFCO’s work,” said Chair Janelle Cardiff in the release. “It reiterates the importance of engaging farmers and the public in meaningful conversations.”

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Six outreach initiatives will benefit from the funding, including FFCO’s Breakfast on/from the Farm. This event introduces the non-farming public to modern agriculture and connects them directly with farmers.

Food industry outreach by FFCO includes day-long farm and food processing tours, webinars and relationship-building activities between the agriculture and food industries.

“When people know where their food comes from, they can easily choose the freshest, most delicious food to feed their families,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, in the release. “This has the added benefits of supporting Ontario’s farmers, communities and our economy and helping to protect the Ontario agriculture and food industry and local food supply chain.”

Cardiff said OMAFA’s continued support allows FFCO to create new tools and further develop its existing agriculture food production program to engage Ontarians and answer questions about Ontario’s food and farming.

FFCO’s and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association’s award-winning initiative, “More than a Migrant Worker,” as well as FFCO’s library of agricultural resources, which includes a free media and industry-accessible photo and digital asset library and training for farmers and agri-business professionals will also be supported by the funding.

FFCO’s goal is to connect the public with Ontario’s passionate farm families and feel “confident that farmers are working hard to produce healthy, affordable, safe and ethical food sustainably 365 days per year.”

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