The Government of Ontario is recognizing 61 grocery stores across the province for their innovative promotion of fresh Ontario food as part of the 2022 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards program.

For more than 35 years, the Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have celebrated the dedication and creativity expressed by grocery stores across the province for their unique and innovative displays that promote locally grown food. Between June and July, awards will be presented to winning grocery stores to honour the efforts of staff and produce managers to promote all the good things that grow in Ontario.

“Promoting Ontario food is critical to supporting our farm families, processors and entire agri-food value chain,” said Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington. “The Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards celebrate the best of the best in the promotion of these products, and the Mount Forest location has provided top tier delivery of this initiative when it comes to showcasing Ontario grown products and encouraging consumer awareness.”

As part of this annual program, retailers can enter their displays that promote locally grown and in-season fruits and vegetables into four categories. The annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are the produce industry’s premier competition for excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods.

“We know our customers love local. When we/our team puts the effort into building displays featuring local products it makes our customers happy in their purchase knowing they are supporting local farmers,” said Luigi and Kim Catalano, owners of Foodland – Mount Forest. “We put the effort into creating these displays because we want to support our community and showcase the amazing products our local farms grow. In turn, it builds a sense of contribution among our staff. Along with our entire staff at the Mount Forest Foodland, we would like to thank and congratulate our outstanding produce team.”

The Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are presented by the Ontario government in partnership with:

• Asparagus Farmers of Ontario
• Ontario Apple Growers 
• Berry Growers of Ontario
• Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers 
• Ontario Tender Fruit Growers

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Source:  OMAFRA May 26, 2023 news release