By: Shawn Brenn & Alison Robertson

Traditionally, the chair and executive director of the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) have always each prepared and given a report on the activities of the year gone by to the membership at the annual general meeting. Truthfully, it’s always been a bit of a challenge to write two separate reports that don’t overlap – and that’s because the chair and executive director at this organization work very closely together. 

That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to take a joint, leadership-focused approach in our reporting to the membership. The full report will be presented at the AGM in Niagara in February, but here are some highlights from the year that has been and our perspectives looking ahead to 2025. 

Government relations

Our advocacy work continues to focus on the big files common to all growers: labour, environment, crop protection, safety nets and property/infrastructure/energy/food safety. We spent time this year getting to know our new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Rob Flack, and introducing him to our sector and the issues that matter to fruit and vegetable growers. 

Building relationships with elected officials and their political support teams, as well as with staff from the various ministries, is a key part of our approach. This means regular contact throughout the year as well as special events such as farm tours and our Queen’s Park outreach day. 

Federal files

Although most of our advocacy is focused provincially, we also work on federal files where we closely support efforts by Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC). 

A big win for our sector this past year was Bill C-280, the Financial Protection for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Act. Although FVGC and Canadian Produce Marketing Association led this file, the OFVGA provided considerable behind-the-scenes support. Decades in the making, it became law just before Christmas 2024 and ensures suppliers of perishable produce are paid in case of buyer bankruptcy. 

Looking locally

Over the past few years, there has been a growing frustration with municipalities on issues such as worker housing regulations, storm water management, development charges, building permits, wastewater issues and more. OFVGA is developing a municipal engagement strategy, and we have hired an additional policy analyst to support our team in this area. 

Public outreach

We’re actively involved in general public-facing communications on issues such as the importance of protecting our ability to grow our own food. As well, our work on the More than a Migrant Worker initiative continues to grow, catching the attention of the public, government, other agriculture industry stakeholders and source countries such as Jamaica, where officials have expressed interest in having some of our team visit the Caribbean Island to highlight the workers’ lives at home. 

Governance

Our organization devoted a significant amount of time to governance issues this past year and once completed, will set us up well to complete our strategic planning process this year. The goal is to make sure the organization is as prepared as it can be to face any challenges that may come at our industry. 

The year ahead

Looking to 2025, possible federal and provincial elections give us the opportunity to engage with all political parties and encourage them to prioritize the importance of keeping our domestic food production system strong. 

Maintaining our ability to grow our own produce and keeping as much control as possible over our own food system will become even more important as we face challenging trade issues and political headwinds from the United States and its new administration. 

A key objective for OFVGA this year is to ensure there is recognition and understanding by government of the value of domestic fruit and vegetable production to our economy and to Canada as a whole. If ever our sector, our food system and our country needed the support and pride of government, it is now – and we will work hard to ensure the necessary trust and confidence in our homegrown fruit and vegetable production system are there. 

It’s hard to predict what may come at us, but we are fortunate that our organization is in a strong financial position, and that we have strong and experienced leadership at the board level, and a talented and dedicated staff team. This means we have the resources to do what needs to be done to work on behalf of growers both provincially and federally. 

Shawn Brenn is a potato grower and chair of OFVGA. Alison Robertson is executive director.