We are pleased to confirm that the Government of Ontario has allocated $20 million to the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation in the recent provincial budget (see page 29 of  http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2011/papers_all.pdf . We are humbled that the Government recognizes our valuable work.

Be sure to keep in the loop with @ontariofresh

Last night we had the enjoyment of attending the fourth annual Brewer’s Plate. The event is hosted in support of a great local organization, Not Far from the Tree. The sold out event is clearly a highlight for many as it combines Ontario craft beers, local food and well-known chefs.  We loved all the food and beer we tried, but there were a few pairings that really stood out for us.

Ontario’s Local Food Champions:  

Cultivating Change in the Broader Public Sector

- Report Recognizes Leadership and Innovation in Local Food-

 (Toronto, Ontario) – Change is in the air and on our plates. More Ontario food is making its way into the kitchens of daycares, schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, long-term care facilities and municipalities in Ontario. Released today,Ontario’s Local Food Champions report celebrates the local food trailblazers in Ontario’s public institutions. The report recognizes three leaders from public institutions and three farm groups that have gone the extra mile to identify solutions to incorporate more Ontario food onto the plates of municipalities and public institutions.

(Toronto, Ontario) - Great news! Starting today, a groundbreaking online marketplace will be available for registration to help everyone involved in localfood grow their business. Whether a farmer, producer, chef, caterer, buyer or foodservice distributor, Ontariofresh.ca will provide new opportunities to source local food quickly and easily.

The site will provide buyers with the opportunity to find new local food sources that are right for their business. While, farmers will be able to make new business connections with buyers who are interested in the products they raise and/or grow.

 “Ontariofresh.ca will provide new economic opportunities and benefits for our agribusiness community,” commented Burkhard Mausberg, President of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. “Now is the time to make changes to help more Ontario food reach our public institutions and beyond.”

Information collected on the Ontariofresh.ca site will help to populate it with four profile types: farmers, buyers, distributors and friends/supporters. Via a short survey profiles will be built that address questions such as, location, availability, seasonality, traceability and more. The business focus of the site will make connections between buyers and producers, building a community that celebrates Ontario food.

Tour de Greenbelt

The "Tour de Greenbelt" is an exciting cycling adventure geared towards family and serious cyclists alike. In partnership with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, this event will follow the framework of previous Tour de Greenbelt events, embracing the concept of “Ready, Set, Meander.” It encourages riders to connect with the Greenbelt and experience rural hospitality, savour fresh, local food, and explore Ontario's Greenbelt.

Have you thought about what to plant in your garden this year?   These are tough decisions to make, especially with the fantastic growing conditions in the Greenbelt – almost anything goes!  Taste and beauty are the two factors I employ when figuring out what I would like to grow.  The best approach for achieving this is to plant a combination of both decorative and edible varieties – a feast for the mouth and the eyes!

Media Release

Attention: Canadian Editors and Reporters/Policy/Foreign Affairs/Planning/Environment

A New World -Wide Network Emerges from Global Greenbelts Conference in Toronto, Ontario

TORONTO – MARCH 29, 2011 Ontario’s Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is proud to announce that it will take the lead on facilitating the establishment of a world-wide Greenbelt Network. The Network was founded at the Global Greenbelts Conference in Toronto, Ontario on March 24^th, 2011.

PDF

On March 22nd, ReelGreenbelt finalists joined us at the Raddison Admiral at Toronto's Harbourfront to find out who would take home the big prizes....

All of the entries received were high-quality, exhibited great creativity and it was a difficult selection process for our judges.