Do you know what fruit is grown in Ontario?
The province is investing up to $1.6 million over the next four years so you have a better idea of just that on your next trip to the grocery store.
The money will go toward display bins bearing the Foodland Ontario logo, as well as the marketing around displays. The project is being run by the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers, who will put in an additional $1.6 million.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack made the announcement Thursday morning at the Metro grocery store on Edinburgh Road, set in front of a large display of fresh fruit in plastic and paper storage bins adorned with the Foodland Ontario logos.
“These bins will showcase Ontario-grown nectarines, peaches, apricots, plums, fresh table grapes, cherries and pears,” he said.
The program will help purchase 7,000 display bins to house the fruit per year.
Food distributors have to apply to get the bins, package the fruit and deliver the product to grocery stores.
“Foodland Ontario has been around for decades, and it’s iconic,” Flack said. “It’s a brand that’s known in Ontario. It helps get good nutrition into people’s homes and onto their plates and feeding families.”
Flack anticipates the full dollar amount will be utilized, emphasizing the importance of growing Ontario. The province has a goal of increasing consumption of locally grown food by 30 per cent by 2032.
“We know that continuing to place Ontario’s products front and centre of the store makes a local choice easier for our customers,” said Norma Boyle, district manager for the Metro stores in southwestern Ontario.
“I think it’ll have a great impact,” added Phil Tregunno, the chair of the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers.
“It’s part of a large plan that we have because we’re working with research facilities on getting newer varieties that are earlier and later, so we can extend our season because it’s a very short season. It’s a combination of a whole lot of things to increase not only farmland and more tender fruit being grown on farmland, but also to have that product there for consumers and keep those prices down with local product.”
He said it is important work, and provincial investment helps in promoting the locally-grown food, noting there would be a bit of a disconnect to what is available, and when.
Tregunno added it’s equally important considering how quick a fruit goes from the farm to the grocery store, as well as how short the season is to boot.
“If that supply chain breaks down anywhere along there, that peach doesn’t make it to a consumer,” he said.
