Ontario offers all sorts of fresh grown food, hundreds of fruits and vegetables and top notch meats and dairy. The amazing taste is only on advantage of eating Ontario grown food, but all else that it helps too, makes it the easy decision for any grocery shopper!
Foodland Ontario
Foodland Ontario is a consumer promotion program that was introduced by the Ontario Government in 1977. Since its start it has partnered with producers and farmers across Ontario, to educate the Ontario market on the fresh Ontario-produced products. Through years of marketing, including the establishing of the, “Good things grow in Ontario,” slogan, Foodland is now a recognized symbol and organization across Ontario. They now have the Foodland symbol in over 1200 stores across the province, showing that the products are fresh, and Ontario grown.
The result of their amazing efforts to inform the public of their goal, the Foodland logo is now recognized by 94% of grocery shoppers, which is up from 86% in 2005. Now 87% of people prefer Ontario fresh food, and are able to taste the difference in quality.
Some of the biggest stores and organizations that promote Foodland are Sobeys, Highland Farms, Loblaws, and Longo’s. They all won the Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards for their efforts in promoting Ontario products and for taking such a big responsibility. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Ontario, Leona Dombrowsky, said this, “This year’s award winners have done an outstanding job promoting fresh, local Ontario products. When consumers buy Ontario foods, they’re helping our farmers, our economy and our environment.”
What Ontario Grows…
Many people are unaware of how much Ontario grows and what they offer, and what they grow is not just confined to the warm summer months. Many of the fruits and vegetables grown in Ontario are grown all year round, including cucumber, carrots, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, sweet potatoes, and apples. Ontario is home to hundreds of different varieties of crops depending on where in Ontario. They offer anything from artichokes and zucchinis, to apricots and watermelon. With all that Ontario offers one rarely needs to buy products grown out of Ontario, thus helping the Ontario economy, and the environment.
Ontario also has all sorts of meet, beef, chicken, lamb, and much more, that can also be found all year round. And just like the fruits and vegetables are all premium quality. When one things of Ontario and specialty foods, the same thing commonly comes to mind. And as much as we like to deny the cliche, maple syrup is what Canada, and Ontario is famous for. Extracted from the maple tree, maple syrup is made all across Ontario and has become a huge part of the Canadian identity.
What to Cook…
Now that you know how easy it so to get fresh Ontario food, and you now just how much Ontario offers, you can now put your cooking skills the the test. No cooking skills, apart from toast making? Have no fear! Apart from Foodland’s website providing information about Ontario grown food, it also offers thousands of recipes for your favorite foods. All one has to do is type in what ingredients you wish to use, and in seconds you have recipes to recipes, all with Ontario grown food. In addition to that they also have a calendar with a featured recipe each month, so whether your feeling like Grilled Prosciutto & Asparagus Bundles in May, or Apple & Pear Bundt Cake with Caramel Glaze in December, they have the answers to all your cooking questions.
Why Buy Ontario Food…
Buying Ontario food is hugely beneficial, however doing so does cost a little bit more. However the slight bit more you pay is nothing to what you get out of it. By buying more locally grown products it is better for you and better for the environment. Your are also supporting the local economy, and instead of fruit having to be sent from places like Florida, they are all local, and therefore helping the environment. Also because they don’t have to travel such long distances the food is fresher, and better for you. 70% of Ontario grocery shoppers say that it is worth it to them, paying more for Ontario products.
Ontario’s amazing quality and variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and more, is second to none, and buying Ontario fresh has countless advantages. With the help of Foodland anyone in Ontario can become aware of how much is offered and what they can create from it. Helping Ontario farmers is only one of the amazing things about eating food grown in Ontario, but being more healthy for you and your family is the biggest reward of all.
