Protecting the Good Things that Grow in Ontario

Protecting Ontario’s local agriculture and food industry is essential to ensuring a strong, self-sufficient food supply chain. This Local Food Week, from June 2-8, 2025, the Ontario government recognizes all of the farmers, food processors, distributors, retailers and restauranteurs that Ontario families depend upon. Now more than ever it is important to buy locally grown and made food in order to help protect the 871,000 jobs and nearly $51 billion that the agriculture and food sector contributes to the province.

“Across the province, we have more than 48,000 farms and 5,200 food processors and food manufacturers working 365 days a year growing, harvesting and making delicious food right here at home,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “By choosing to purchase what is grown and made in Ontario, consumers are supporting our farmers and communities, strengthening the economy and protecting our local food supply chain.”

Ontario’s Local Food Report highlights businesses that are strengthening Ontario’s local food supply chain and supporting our economy. This year’s report features a variety of local food success stories, including:

• A second-generation customized deli and frozen pizza company built on quality and family tradition.
• The 2025 winner of Farmers’ Markets Ontario’s Market of Year Award.
• One of the oldest cheese cooperatives in Canada.

In addition to these and other great examples, the Local Food Report also features the Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards program. Each year, grocery stores across the province submit photos of creative and innovative displays promoting fresh, locally grown, in-season fruits and vegetables. These displays educate and encourage Ontario consumers to identify and purchase locally grown produce. There are 60 grocery stores receiving 64 awards, and this year, Minister Jones kicked off the award presentations at Metro #73 in Mississauga.

“Supporting Canadian products and buying local is not a new concept for Metro. In the current context, we are putting a greater emphasis on local and Canadian products and optimising their visibility in all our Metro stores,” said Joe Fusco, Senior Vice President, Metro. “We’re proud to support Local Food Week and celebrate the incredible work of Ontario’s farmers and producers. Our partnership with Foodland Ontario reflects our commitment to offering fresh, locally grown produce to our customers. We’re especially proud of our team at Metro #73 and produce manager John Leonardi, whose award-winning displays help bring the best of Ontario produce to life in our stores.”

Throughout the month of June, winning grocery stores will be receiving plaques to commemorate their contribution to boosting local food literacy and consumption of locally grown and made food across the province.

This week, and every week, the Province encourages Ontarians to support local farmers and businesses by purchasing foods with the Foodland Ontario logo, or, where possible, buying directly from farmers either on-farm or at their local farmers’ market.

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