Ontario Agriculture Week celebrates farmers

Ontario Agriculture Week (October 3 to 9, 2016) is in full swing, as the province celebrates the 52,000 hard-working farmers and their families who continually provide Ontarians with fresh, locally-grown, high-quality food and beverages.

Taking place during the week leading into Thanksgiving, Ontario is appropriately giving thanks: according to a provincial government press release, Ontario’s farmers are key to the success of the province’s agri-food sector, which generates almost $36 billion in GDP and employs almost 790,000 Ontarians, producing more than 200 different commodities. Almost 65 per cent of their harvest is purchased by Ontario food processors and made into high-quality locally-grown products for consumers to enjoy.

“Without the dedication of hard-working Ontario farmers, our agri-food sector would not be as successful as it is today. Our government is proud to support the entire agri-food value chain and the important work our farmers and processors do to bring more local food to the plates of Ontario consumers. I encourage all Ontarians to take this opportunity to celebrate and thank our farmers for the work they do, not only during Agriculture Week, but throughout the year,” says Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.