Glacier FarmMedia – What kind of crazy people would set up a vegetable farm from scratch outside Thunder Bay, Ont.? Two southern Ontarians with no agriculture education or background, that’s who. Why it matters: Innovative approaches and young farmers with fresh ideas can give agriculture a healthy spark and are vital to the continued sustainability […] Read more
Tag Archives local food — page 2
Northern Ontario farm serves local market
A farm near Thunder Bay supplies people with vegetables through a community-supported program
Canadian container farming system aims to grow markets
Growing indoors can help extend the production season for produce farmers
Updated Jan. 6, 2020 A container farming start-up from Ottawa launched into the Canadian market several years ago by bringing year-round fresh produce production to northern communities. And although that continues to be a successful venture for The Growcer, the company is now finding its business shifting to customers from more southern regions. That includes […] Read more
Online platform simplifies the local food supply chain
Local Line connects food buyers and sellers and is now helping with transportation logistics
If you’re a farmer selling products directly to consumers, restaurants or retail locations, an Ontario company believes it can simplify your process with an online platform. Local Line is an online selling platform for local food suppliers designed to help automate and streamline order fulfillment, inventory management and delivery. It started as a match-making service […] Read more
Young farmers jump into direct marketing with on-farm stores
Ontario producers see the benefit of events and local food networks, and their hard work is paying off
Some young farmers are making direct-to-consumer sales an important part of their farm business plan. They’re using creative thinking on events and bringing new skills to the expansion of their businesses. Why it matters: Direct to consumer marketing can be an effective way for farmers to get more of the food dollar. But they have […] Read more
Federal food policy aims to lift local and Canadian-grown products
Federal programs to boost the profile of domestic and locally grown foods at home while reducing food waste, food insecurity and deceptive food marketing are all up for funding under the government’s new Food Policy for Canada. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Parliamentary Ag Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant announced the new policy Monday in Montreal, following […] Read more
Focus on local boosts wheat usage by processor
Grain farmers invested in helping Griffith Foods grow its demand for Ontario wheat
A major supplier to the food industry has dramatically increased its use of Ontario wheat over the past 30 years to the point that it now almost exclusively buys locally. Griffith Foods made purchasing Ontario wheat a priority as part of its effort to reduce its carbon footprint and as a result has become a […] Read more
Report looks to connect the North’s new growth with consumers
More food is being grown and raised in Northern Ontario, but systems are still being developed to get it to local residents
Northern Ontario is a vast region that contains “many locales (that) can be considered a food deserts” despite growing production in the area, a new University of Guelph report says. The report was prepared by a team from the university’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, led by Dr. Wayne Caldwell. It was released […] Read more
Program aims to kickstart funding for local ag projects
Socially responsible investing also aims to build communities
Funds designed to support the local food and farm sector in Ontario have been put together through a partnership of grassroots organizations from Sault Ste. Marie, a region not known for agriculture. Why it matters: Agriculture could find ways to capitalize on a global trend of investors who factor in ecological and social benefits along […] Read more
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