Ontario’s Agricultural Week is from October 3 to 9 in 2016 - let’s celebrate by eating local food more often!
Ontario’s food system is huge; it generates more than $15 billion in GDP and employs more than 214,000 people. Of this, $2.65 billion GDP is generated by farming in the Golden Horseshoe and the Greenbelt.
While farms in the Greenbelt are on average smaller, they produce 23% more Gross Domestic Revenue than the average Ontario farm. They also benefit from natural and locational advantages such as access to key processing industries, highly productive soil types and climate, and proximity to Ontario’s largest and growing market. What to learn more? Click here.
This year, let’s celebrate this large local food system that produces the food we enjoy every day by supporting our local food producers!
See our tips for celebrating Ontario’s Agricutlural Week in 2016: Buy Local Food | Learn About Local Food | Attend Local Events
Buy Local Food
1. Go to a local farmers’ market - most farmers’ markets close after Thanksgiving, make sure to visit one soon.
Not sure when farmers’ markets close? Read our blog to find out!
2. Take your family to visit a local farm to buy fresh local products.
Find the closest farm to your home here (double check that the farm is open).
3. Pick-your-own farms are still open! Vist a farm this weekend to pick apples or pumpkins.
Read our complete list of pick-your-owns still open.
4. Thanksgiving is on October 10 - read our guide on where to buy local ingredients for your Thanksgiving dinner.
The guide includes farms where to buy turkeys and recipes!
Learn More About Local Food
1. Take a virtual farm tour to learn more about how your food is produced in Ontario!
From egg farms, fruit production to chicken farms, there’s plenty of opportunity to learn how your food is produced.
2. Stay up to date with Greenbelt local food research.
Did you know that over 50% of imported food products can be produced in Ontario? Find out different ways Ontario can increase the supply of local food, create jobs and support healthier lifestyles.
3. Incorporate more in-season local food in your everyday meals.
Read our October in-season guide to find out what is currently in-season and get tips on how to incorporate in-season ingredients in your meals.
4. Join the #LoveOntFood Twitter party on October 3 from 8-9 pm!
Attend Local Events
October 7 to 10: Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving in Lincoln - Over 150 artisans, food vendors, demonstrators, and entertainers participating, there is always plenty to do, see, and explore at the conservation area.
October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29: Dufferin Town & Country Farm Tour in Dufferin County - The host farms include a working dairy farm, a Lincoln Red beef farm, a racing quarter horse farm, a crop input and grain elevator business, and more.
October 7 to 10: Erin Fair in Erin - From giant pumpkin weigh-off to farm animal competitions, there are plenty of agricultural related activities for the whole family.
October 8 to 10: Apple Harvest Festival in the Blue Mountains - Free family activities, live music, Apple Pie Trail, scavenger hunts, stilt walkers, hiking, biking & more!
Looking for more events? Read our food and drink festivals that are happening in October.
– Andreea Nicoara
