FFCO Executive members with Minister Thompson. From left: Treasurer John Taylor, Second Vice Chair Janelle Cardiff, Chair Bonnie den Haan, Minister Lisa Thompson and Vice-Chair Crispin Colvin.
ELORA — Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) will collect up to $547,200 in provincial funding over three years to support the charitable organization’s agriculture-awareness-raising activities, including its popular ‘Breakfast on the Farm’ events as well as farm tours for culinary students. Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson announced the funding agreement at FFCO’s April 13 annual conference.
Part of the money will also go into interviews, photography and videography work: Set to be showcased are seasonal agricultural workers, FFCO’s ‘Garden in a Box’ program that home gardeners with farmers, and Ontario’s agriculture and food-processing sectors.
FFCO is a coalition of farmers and other food partners that aims to ensure public trust and confidence in food and farming. The organization says this month’s funding announcement represents the first time it has received a provincial contribution toward its work.
FFCO Chair Bonnie den Haan expressed delight at the provincial help. “FFCO has always had a reputation for doing great work on incredibly limited budgets. This funding is a huge show of support from the provincial government for the work we do and will really enable us to expand the reach of our initiatives, de Haan said.
“Ensuring Ontarians have the facts on where their food comes from, how it grows, and how it is made is key to growing the next generation of leaders for Ontario’s agri-food sector,” Minister Thompson said.
FCCO is otherwise supported by farmers, farm organizations, agribusinesses and others through memberships and program partnerships.
