This article was written in collaboration with one of our dedicated volunteers, Veronica.
A week of celebrating fresh, healthy, and local Canadian food is here! Local Food Week is a time to recognize the hardworking farmers who grow the food we enjoy every day. It also encourages us to think about the impact of our choices as consumers. By supporting Ontario and Canadian farmers, we not only enjoy high-quality, nutritious food, but we also help build a stronger economy and preserve valuable farmland.
With the cost of food rising and more people becoming aware of the energy and resources needed to grow and transport it, now is the perfect time to focus on local options. Supporting local food systems does not only mean going to farmers’ markets, though those are an excellent starting point. It also involves paying attention to how we shop and being more mindful about where our food comes from.
For instance, when shopping at grocery stores, take a moment to check the country of origin on produce labels. Choosing fruits and vegetables grown in Ontario reduces the environmental footprint caused by long-distance shipping and supports our local growers and agri-food workers. In addition to fresh produce, many packaged foods like cereals, dairy products, or baked goods are made in Canada or produced by Canadian-owned companies. Looking for that “Product of Canada” label is an easy but meaningful step toward eating more locally.
Buying local food is an excellent way to invest in our communities. Every dollar spent on locally produced items circulates more dollars into our local economy, further empowering our farmers and agri-food workers to continue producing fresh, nutritious food and strengthening the resilience of our regional food systems.
One often overlooked but worthwhile method to support local farmers is by purchasing directly from them. If you have ever driven through rural Ontario or taken a scenic route through the countryside, you may have noticed small signs posted near homes and farm driveways. These signs advertise eggs, seasonal vegetables, maple syrup, honey, and other farm-fresh products available for sale. These roadside stands and farm shops provide a simple way to connect with local agriculture.
Stopping at these stands gives you the chance to buy some of the freshest food available, often picked just hours earlier. Many of these sales operate on the honour system, with a small cash box or instructions for sending an e-transfer. The process is often casual and built on trust. Buying directly from a farm is not only convenient but also fosters a sense of community and helps keep farmland in active production. In many cases, you may even get to meet the farmer or a family member and learn about the practices and care that go into producing the food. Best of all, you know the money is going directly back to the family!
Encouraging others to do the same during a road trip or a weekend outing can help create a stronger connection between communities. You can also consider signing up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) basket from a local farm near you. These small efforts add up and make a real difference in supporting farmland and food producers across the province.
Local Food Week is a great reminder that our food choices matter. Whether you are picking out apples grown in Ontario at the grocery store, shopping at a farmers’ market, or stopping at a roadside stand, every action helps support a more sustainable and secure food future for everyone in Ontario.
Here at OFT, we’re on a mission to protect Ontario’s finite and precious food-producing landscapes so that we can keep Ontario’s farmland thriving for farmers and all Ontarians who rely on local food. Protecting farmland forever with farmland easement agreements helps to make sure that there will always be local farmland for generations to come. To learn more about how you can get involved in our mission, click here.
Looking for more ways to support our local farmers? Check out these additional resources:
- 2024 Local Food Week: Explore other ways you can support Ontario’s food producers
- Home Grown OFA – Discover in-season produce, meats, and dairy near you.
- Flavours of Farmland – Explore some of the 200 different commodities Ontario has to offer, and one of the associated farms across Ontario providing them.