October 2014

Agriculture and Agri-Food Economic Profile Report for the Golden Horseshoe

Earlier this week we released our Agriculture and Agri-Food Economic Profile for the Golden Horseshoe at the North York Civic Centre.

The report analyzes data surrounding economic impact, number of farms, farmland area and sizes, average age of farm operators and more. Data was also compared between the regions of the Golden Horseshoe.

Visit our website for more information, where we have also shared the Agriculture and Agri-Food Economic Profile report in full. Please feel free to share.

Streamlining Agricultural Applications Workshop

Presentation Slides Have Been Posted

On September 26, 2014, we hosted a workshop in Port Perry with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the Region of Durham: Streamlining Process and Approaches to Agricultural Applications in Municipalities and Conservation Authorities.

The workshop aimed to bring together municipal planners, economic developers, building department staff and farmers to collaboratively discuss and share how to more efficiently work through the agricultural application process.

Visit our blog post, where we have uploaded 4 informative presentations from different presenters from the workshop.

The Food Donation Tax Credit for Farmers

Many of you have certainly heard the big news by now that the province announced at the end of September - Ontario has implemented a new tax credit for farmers who donate products to community food programs.

The only one of its kind if Canada, the tax credit offers farmers 25 per cent of the fair market value of the agricultural products they donate to community food programs, which includes donations to food banks and student nutrition programs (SNPs).

We hope this new legislation encourages and supports farmers to donate excess food, battling food waste, while bringing more food where it's needed most.

Taste of the Harvest in the Headwaters Region

After the success of their Taste of Maple event, The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association is back to once again showcase and celebrate local flavours throughout the region with an exciting, seasonal multi-day event, this time with

A Taste of the Harvest.

From Friday, October 17th to Sunday, November 2nd locations across the Headwaters Region will be providing unique opportunities for visitors to experience the fall harvest in Ontario's beautiful countryside. Don't miss it!

Halton Healthcare Services Wins Award

Congratulations to Halton Healthcare Services (HHS)!

The Ontario Vegetables Growers' Association has selected HHS as the winner of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers' (OGVG) first Local Food Week Competition for their Local Food Expo and related promotional activities during Ontario Local Food Week in June.

Because of the summer expo's great success, HHS held 3 more Local Food Expos this fall. We spoke with Halton Region and HHS representatives about their expos and the award.

Contact:

Janet Horner, Executive Director,
Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance
janet@whitfieldfarms.com