Held March 1, the Ontario Food Summit focussed on the supply chain including farmers, suppliers, transporters and distributors and how to retain and attract workers to strengthen “made in Ontario” capacity.  

“Our government is ensuring that everyone can access safe, high-quality and nutritious food grown right here at home,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Our partners in the food supply chain all have an important role to play and I appreciate hearing their thoughts and ideas on the actions needed to continue a safe and stable food supply. The ideas we heard today will help us strengthen and build the sector for the future.”

During the summit, Minister Thompson launched an expanded Excellence in Agriculture program to recognize farmers, processors, educational institutions and agri-food organizations and businesses who contribute to the industry’s success and drive innovation in the province’s agri-food sector.

The Excellence in Agriculture program recognizes the dedication, hard work and ground-breaking ideas of local agri-food innovators whose leadership and entrepreneurship keep raising the bar for agri-food excellence. Whether it’s developing new types of value-add products, finding new solutions to increase efficiency, or helping to create or retain jobs, these innovators demonstrate why the agri-food sector continues to be an economic force in the provincial economy.

Award categories for the Excellence in Agriculture program include: COVID Agri-Food Innovation Champion; Innovation in Food Processing; Innovation in Agriculture; Women in Agriculture; Youth in Agriculture; Education in Agriculture; and, Northern and Indigenous Owned Business and Communities.

Applications for the 2022 Excellence in Agriculture Program are open until April 5, 2022. Link here: Excellence in Agriculture program | ontario.ca.

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs March 1, 2022