Ontario’s Local Food Strategy Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable March 13, 2014

Ontario : A Long-Standing Local Food Champion 2 $116M Invested Since 2003/04 Business Advisory Services Marketing and Promotion Funding Programs Research/ Knowledge Transfer Industry Capacity Building Value Chain Development

But, Looking for New Opportunities In 2012, stakeholder roundtables identified a number of local food challenges and opportunities, including: –increased education for consumers and industry; –regional aggregation, distribution and other infrastructure; –funding/access to capital; –collaboration and value chain development; –regional flexibility to define / market “local”; –public sector leadership in procurement. 3 Their input was used to develop a multi- pronged local food strategy to help celebrate, support and promote local food.

Ontario’s Local Food Strategy VISION: Ontario consumers enjoy local food more often – and in more places. MISSION: Increasing the consumption of local food in Ontario. GOALS: –Ontario consumers are aware of, value and choose more local foods. –Local food is identifiable and widely available through a range of distribution channels. –Ontario’s agri-food sector is competitive, productive and responsive to consumer demand. 4

New Initiatives Building on Past Successes 5 5 Increasing consumption of local food Consumers are aware of, value and choose local food Local food is identifiable and widely available Agri-food sector is competitive, productive and responsive Local Food Act, 2013 Foodland Ontario Agri-food Education Local Food Fund Local Food Research Ministry Advisory Services Premier’s Awards for Innovation Prov. Local Food Procurement Policy Provincial Designations Best Practices Guide for municipalities Broader Public Sector Initiatives Direct Farm Marketing & Farmers’ Markets Retailer Awards Bolded items are new.

Local Food Act, 2013 Key pillar of the Local Food Strategy is the Local Food Act, 2013 – introduced in March 2013 and passed unanimously in November. The Local Food Act, 2013 will: –require the Minister to set voluntary/aspirational goals and targets around food literacy, access to local food and increased use of local food by public sector organizations – in consultation with stakeholders; –enable the province to work with public sector organizations on goals and targets, and share information on progress and results; –require the government to produce an annual local food report; –proclaim a “Local Food Week”, beginning the first Monday in June; –create a tax credit of 25 per cent for farmers for donations of agricultural products to eligible community food programs. Local food is defined as food produced or harvested in Ontario, including forest and freshwater food, and food made in Ontario if they include ingredients produced or harvested in Ontario. 6

Local Food Fund The Local Food Fund was launched in October 2013, as part of a $30 million, 3-year investment to support innovative projects that increase awareness, access and sales of local food. The Local Food Fund supports projects in four categories: ̶ Regional and Local Food Networks; ̶ Enhanced Technologies, Capacity and/or Minor Capital; ̶ Research and Best Practices; and ̶ Education, Marketing and Outreach. 7 The Fund is designed to encourage collaboration and partnerships, and supports a step-wise approach by allowing access to funds for planning and implementation (which enhances long-term project sustainability).

Other Elements of the Local Food Strategy Local Food Procurement Policy Ministries and provincial agencies must consider local food when making food purchases under $25,000. Provincial Designation Consultations held in Fall 2013 to determine interest in new ways of promoting local food on basis of origin, production method and/or product characteristic. Government is currently reviewing and analyzing input. Local Food Best Practices Guide for Municipalities Association of Municipalities of Ontario led the development of a resource to share best practices and support decision-making on local food. Online at 8

Thank You! Contact: Jaya James, Policy Advisor Economic Development Policy Branch Ministry of Agriculture and Food/ Ministry of Rural Affairs (519)