Ontario honours grocers who promote local food

Jeff Leal, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, at the awards presentation

The government of Ontario has honoured 65 food retailers at this year’s Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards, presented on April 8, 2016. Winners were recognized for their new ideas and innovative in-store promotions that help Ontario consumers recognize and buy more locally-grown food.

The recipients of the 2016 Foodland Ontario Award of Excellence are:

•  Metro #73, on Lakeshore Rd. in Mississauga
• Metro #479, on Front St. in Orillia
• Metro #800, at Eglinton Square in Scarborough
•  Sobeys #685, on Ira Needles Blvd. in Kitchener

“Buying local food not only provides families with healthy and delicious options, but creates jobs and economic growth in communities across the province. I applaud grocery retailers for looking at innovative ways to connect consumers with their food and the people who grow it so they have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the good things grown in Ontario,” says Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

According to a press release from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, celebrating local food is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its priority to grow the economy and create jobs.

The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses.