An opinion piece by Martin Straathof, Executive Director, Ontario Farmland Trust
The recent announcement that Peavey Mart is closing all 93 of its stores across Canada is a warning sign that Ontario cannot afford to ignore. Whether the closure was driven by inflation, supply chain disruptions, rising costs, or strategic missteps, the result is the same: another rural business is gone. And when rural businesses disappear, the agricultural economy suffers.
This isn’t just about one farm supply store shutting its doors. These types of businesses play a critical role in the agri-food system, providing farmers with equipment, tools, and supplies to keep their operations running. They are a part of the broader agricultural system that sustains our local food production. Peavey Mart’s closure is yet another reminder that protecting farmland is more than just saving fields – it’s about preserving entire rural economies.
The Agricultural System Needs Stability, Not Shrinkage
Ontario’s agricultural system is built on more than just farms. It includes:
- Farm supply stores (like Peavey Mart, TSC Stores, and co-ops)
- Processing and distribution facilities
- Trucking and logistics companies
- Butchers, millers, seed dealers, and veterinarians
Ontario has already lost over 2.1 million acres of farmland and 19,174 farms since 1996. These businesses need a critical mass of farms to survive and when farmland is lost, the entire agri-food network takes a hit and we risk losing more essential services for the remaining farm businesses.
While some might accept that fewer farms mean fewer farm-related businesses are needed, we also need competition. Competition drives economic growth and benefits consumers because it lowers prices, increases choice, and improves quality. We’ve already seen what happens when grocery giants dominate the food sector, which led to a Retail Grocery Market Study. The same risks exist in farm supply chains where fewer businesses mean fewer options, making it more expensive and difficult for farmers to operate.
This isn’t a problem that will fix itself. Waiting for the market to correct is gambling with food security. And as we’ve seen in recent headlines, that’s not a gamble we can afford.
Food Insecurity is Rising—Farmland Loss is Part of the Problem
Toronto recently declared a state of emergency on food insecurity, recognizing that the number of food-insecure households impacts 1 in 10 households. Across the province, rising grocery prices and supply chain vulnerabilities are making it harder for families to put food on the table.
Farmland loss contributes to this crisis. When farmland is lost to development, it’s lost forever. The more we lose, the more vulnerable our food system becomes. Local food production relies on local infrastructure, and every closure – whether it’s a farm, a processing plant, or a supply store – makes it harder to rebuild a resilient agricultural system.
Farmland Loss Must Be an Election Issue
If this isn’t a wake-up call, it should be. As we head into an election, Ontarians must demand action on farmland loss.
Politicians and policymakers have the power to prioritize agricultural system planning, ensuring that land use decisions consider the entire agri-food sector, not just isolated farms. This means:
- Strengthening protections for farmland to prevent further losses
- Investing in rural economies to support local businesses
- Ensuring competition so farmers and consumers aren’t left at the mercy of monopolies
- Recognizing farmland as a food security issue, not just a land use issue
Ontario needs to be serious about food security, and therefore, farmland protection must be on the ballot.
What You Can Do
As we’ve entered a new election, take action:
- Ask your candidates where they stand on farmland protection.
- Review party platforms and see if they include a real plan for rural and agricultural sustainability.
- Show up on election day and make it clear that Ontario’s farmland and rural businesses matter.
Farmland loss is not inevitable. But unless we take action, closures like Peavey Mart’s won’t be the last. The future of our agricultural system depends on the choices we make today.
References:
- https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/census-agriculture
- https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/competition-canada-2000-2020-economy-crossroads
- https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/retail-grocery-market-study
- https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/toronto-declares-food-insecurity-an-emergency-more-than-1-in-10-torontonians-face-hunger-as-crisis-grows-beyond-capacity-844058487.html
Contact Information: For more information, or to support our cause, please contact us.
Ontario Farmland Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Ontario farmlands for future generations.