Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Ontario Government is Encouraging Consumers to "Buy Ontario"!

In a press release, sent out May 11, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowsky stated: " The Ontario Government will be putting the spotlight on the fresh, high-quality foods grown and produced in the province this summer with a new "Buy Ontario" marketing strategy.

"If we all buy Ontario, everybody wins," the Minister was quoted as saying. " We're getting healthy, fresh food from here at home and we're supporting local farmers, our rural economy and our environment."

The government is contributing $12.5 million to the ‘Buy Ontario’ strategy, which includes a consumer awareness campaign designed to increase interest and demand for local foods across the province, expands the Foodland Ontario program to more fresh food products, and boosts the Savour Ontario program in fine and vacation dining establishments. Of the total, $2.5 million has already been distributed to a number of agri-food industry associations to assist them in promoting the sale of Ontario products.