How to find local food products when you’re shopping
Ontario has a rich agricultural history and heritage that is critical to the province’s economy. Our farmers grow and raise more than 200 high-quality food and farm products right here at home.
From fruits and vegetables to honey, plants and flowers; from meat, dairy and eggs to fish, grains and more – and whether fresh, frozen, processed, pickled or canned, Ontario’s farmers take pride what we can produce right across our beautiful province.
Ontario’s farmers take pride in what we can produce right across our beautiful province.
Even in the midst of this snowy winter, there is a wide range of locally produced food available:
Apples, carrots, potatoes and root vegetables, for example, are kept fresh through innovative storage technologies so we can enjoy them all winter long.
There is a plethora of Ontario meat and poultry in our grocery stores, butcher shops, farmers’ markets and independent retailers, as well as a wide variety of eggs, and milk, cheese, cream, butter, yogurt and ice cream made from 100% Canadian milk.
Ontario’s indoor produce sector provides tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, and greens. Many frozen vegetables and fruit are also grown in Ontario, and local wineries, cideries, meaderies, breweries, and distilleries use Ontario-grown ingredients like fruits, hops, and grains.
So, what’s the best way to buy and support local?
Shop at local stores, on-farm markets and farmers’ markets. Websites and product locators can connect you with local markets, shops, farms and even home delivery companies that carry Ontario products. Many grocery stores also proudly carry Ontario- or Canadian-made items – watch for signage, logos and symbols.
- Farmers Markets Ontario – seasonal and year-round markets near you
- Agritourism Ontario – farm-direct sales
- Ontario Sheep Farmers – lamb and wool
- Ontario Beef – beef
- Ontario Pork – pork
- Pick Ontario – locally grown flowers.
Look for logos. Keep an eye out for different logos that will help identify locally grown or made food and farm products.
- Foodland Ontario – Fresh product, dairy, meat and grains
- Blue cow logo – 100% Canadian dairy
- Ontario and Canada beef – locally raised beef
- Egg Quality Assurance or red maple leaf – farm-fresh eggs
- Ontario pork – Ontario pork products
- Ontario turkey – Ontario-raised turkey
- Ontario chicken – fresh Ontario chicken
- Ontario veal – locally raised veal
- Pick Ontario – Ontario-grown flowers
- VQA logo – Ontario-grown wines
What about processed foods?
On processed foods, “Product of Canada” means made in Canada with Canadian ingredients, and “Made in Canada” means final processing took place in Canada – sometimes with local ingredients and sometimes with a mix of domestic and imported ingredients.
Buy Ontario all year long!
Ontario farmers are strong believers in encouraging everyone to buy local, Ontario products.
When you do, you’re not just buying what we produce, you’re also supporting HomeGrown Ontario communities, families, and jobs – and we appreciate it.
To learn more about how you can buy Ontario all year long, visit homegrownofa.ca or check out @homegrownofa on Instagram.
