Jacquelyn (Jackie) Fraser has been appointed to serve as vice-chair of the board of directors of the Ontario Food Terminal. Her three-year term is from June 15, 2023 to June 14, 2026. The Ontario Food Terminal Board consists of seven members, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, upon recommendation of the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fraser owns and operates Fraberts Fresh Food in Fergus with her husband, Chef Derek Roberts. Fraberts is a small, family-owned local food shop specializing in locally grown produce, ready-made meals, local meat, and locally made goodies, with a deli and pizza counter and catering services for events big and small.

Her main role is managing the produce section and as such, she goes to the Ontario Food Terminal twice per week to collect any imported produce as well as locally grown produce from the Holland Marsh, Niagara region and the greenhouses of the Leamington area.

She grew up on a dairy farm in Huttonville, developing a passion for local food while working in farm markets as a teen. She graduated from the University of Guelph in 1994 with a B.Sc.(Agr) and again in 1996 with an M.Sc. in Land Resources Management. She completed the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program in 2006. Before making the leap as an entrepreneur, she had an engaging career spanning from environmental consulting to the aggregate industry, and finally as executive director of Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment (AGCare).

As vice-chair, she will support Christy McMullen, chair of the board and serve with directors Steve Bamford, John Den Boer, Len Turkevics, Larry Kieswetter and Fred Koornneef.  

Source:  Ontario Government website