Ontario has announced up to $2 million in funding to support marketing efforts to encourage more consumers to eat and purchase Ontario pork.
The province will provide Ontario Pork with up to $2 million for support of marketing and promotional activities encouraging more people to choose local Ontario pork wherever they eat or shop. The province says this supports Ontario’s local food strategy helping to make more local food available in the province’s markets, schools, cafeterias, grocery stores and restaurants. Investing in local food generates greater economic activity and creates more jobs in Ontario’s agri-food industry, says the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
“On behalf of Ontario’s pork producers, we truly appreciate the government’s support for our branding efforts,” says Amy Cronin, chair of Ontario Pork. “Being able to identify our local pork products at retail is critical to the sustainability of our domestic industry. By working with our value chain partners from processors, to retailers and food service operators, consumers can be assured that the pork they are purchasing is fresh, local and from family farms.”
Promoting local food is part of the government’s four-part plan to build Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, says the provincial government.
Jeff Leal, minister of OMAFRA, says, “Buying and eating local is one of the most important ways we can support our economy and our hardworking farmers. Through this investment, our government is helping to build greater recognition and awareness of the excellent, healthy local products available to Ontarians each and every day.”
