Nominations are now open for the annual Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association Award of Merit (OFVGA).

The award is presented to an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector in strategic leadership, technical input or innovation, and/or dedication to the industry.

“Through this award, we honour exceptional contributions to our industry by individuals or organizations, from grassroots innovators to long-time advocates who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and dedication to the fruit and vegetable sector,” says OFVGA executive director Alison Robertson. 

Examples of innovation could include improved farm practices, responding to consumer demands, environmental stewardship, energy innovation or advocacy and outreach. 

To be eligible, nominees must be an OFVGA member farmer/producer, group of farmers, combination of agri-food businesses, agri-food-related organization within the fruit and vegetable industry or an individual who is or has been active in the Ontario fruit and vegetable industry. Nominees must also be resident in Ontario and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Nomination forms are available on the OFVGA website or by contacting the OFVGA office. Completed forms must be submitted to OFVGA by January 10, 2025 at 5 p.m., by email to dvanderzaag@ofvga.org. or by postal mail to 355 Elmira Rd. N, Guelph ON N1K 1S5. 

The winner will be announced at the OFVGA banquet on February 18, 2025 in Niagara Falls, and will be the subject of a feature article in the March 2025 issue of The Grower. Recent award winners include Don Brubacher (2024), Brian Gilroy (2023), Ontario Food Terminal (2020) and Ken Linington (2019). The award was not handed out in 2021 or 2022.

Source: Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association December 2, 2024 news release