Ministry of Agriculture, Food |
Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation |
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Agriculture and Rural Division
SIMCOE COUNTY - Local fresh food producers in Simcoe County may soon have their own Farm Fresh – Buy Local Guide to help them market and promote their farm-fresh products.
A local steering committee is exploring the production of a local guide for the Simcoe County area to increase consumer awareness of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. The guide will include a map detailing the location of the farms within the county, as well as a description of the products offered at each farm. Ultimately the goal is to help increase business for local farmers by offering them a unique collective marketing opportunity.
“A resource that can put us on a map and into the hands of interested individuals is a great way to let people know about the quality fresh fruit and vegetables being grown and sold in Simcoe County ,” said Bruce Chappell, owner of Chappell Farms near Barrie . “Many people don’t even know we are here, so something like this resource that can bring the customer to our farm is worth participating in.”
Interested farmers need to call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre, toll free, at 1-877-424-1300 to express interest in being part of the guide. Funding proposals for the project are underway, which include a proposed fee for space in the guide. The intent is to produce and distribute the guide across Simcoe County .
Research shows fruit and vegetables can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and offer protection from some cancers. Canada ’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating recommends 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit every day, yet two-thirds of Simcoe County adults don’t consume the minimum of five servings daily.
The Steering Committee is comprised of members from a variety of groups including local fresh food producers, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, Simcoe County Nutrition Task Group, Good for Life, Local Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures Development Groups, Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture, Centre Écologique de la Mer-Douce, and Simcoe County District Health Unit.
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Media Contact:
Ella Fiedorowicz, Public Health Dietitian
Simcoe County District Health Unit
Tel. 705-721-7330 ext. 323;