FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2013

QUEEN’S PARK PLATE SHOWCASES LOCAL FOOD & CULINARY SKILLS

Event Highlights Greenbelt’s Agricultural Value

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation along with the Honourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, hosts the fourth Queen’s Park Plate tonight. This unique event pays tribute to the local talent—and local food—grown and nurtured in Ontario’s Greenbelt.

 Priced Out: Understanding the factors affecting home prices in the GTA – 1MB

Royal Bank of Canada and the Pembina Institute’s Home Location Study released in 2012 found that over 80 per cent of Greater Toronto Area residents would give up a large home and yard to live in a "location-efficient"neighbourhood that is transit-friendly, walkable and offers shorter commute times. However, more than 70 per cent of residents in the GTA live where they do because of affordability rather than preference.

Priced Out is a follow-up study researched and written by the Pembina Institute, co-published by RBC, that explores the factors contributing to rising home prices in the GTA, and how homebuyers are being "priced out" of location-efficient options.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2013 

INNOVATIVE PROJECT CONNECTS RURAL LANDOWNERS THROUGH ONLINE COMMUNITY

Credit Valley Conservation Builds Networking Site to Increase Awareness of Environmental Stewardship

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) to create the Countryside Stewardship Network. Launching in the summer of 2014, this interactive online tool will facilitate dialogue among rural landowners, leading to greater environmental stewardship in the Credit River Watershed.

When you think of a farmers’ market you might picture a mix of tents and tables in the centre of town, with farmers busy setting up their stalls in the predawn hours of a Saturday morning. Or perhaps you might envision a big historical building like Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market, filled with vendors who have been there for years.

But what if you could buy fresh, local Ontario food at the hospital?

World Crops at Canada Blooms

The projects showcases new world vegetables varieties being tested by Niagara’s Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and commercially grown by Greenbelt farmers. An edible garden featuring okra, Chinese long eggplant, yard long beans, Jamaican callalo and other vegetables will be on display. Visitors are given seed packets to try the new crops at home.

Next time you go to Milton, check out Country Heritage Park. It’s just a couple of kilometers west of the Highway 25 exit along the 401.

The Country Heritage Park, formerly the Ontario Agricultural Museum, is home to many important historical artifacts that represent Ontario’s rural history including the country’s largest collection of tractors. Each year, they host the Antique Tractor and Toy show; this past show included a 1930s David Brown tractor, which was a hit for tractor enthusiasts!

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has been supporting the viability of our farms by increasing market access and economic opportunities for our farmers. We believe the proposed Local Food Act is sound policy and that’s why similar legislation is sprouting up all over the world. So we’re pleased that the Tories and Liberals have agreed to fast-track the legislation at Queen’s Park.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 October 10, 2013

RED TAPE A BARRIER TO FARMERS GROWING THEIR BUSINESS

Greenbelt Foundation Looks to Address Barriers, Strengthen Farm Viability With Latest Study

Today the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation released a study on the challenges and opportunities of farming as part of the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening farm viability and increasing market access.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 10, 2013 

GREENBELT SIGN COMMEMORATES MOUNT NEMO 

New Interpretive Sign Celebrates Great Nature Close to Home 

A new interpretive sign is being installed at Mount Nemo Conservation Area celebrating this gem of the Niagara Escarpment. Created by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation in partnership with Conservation Halton, the sign highlights the stunning natural beauty and productive farmland of Ontario’s Greenbelt and the Niagara Escarpment at Mount Nemo.

Photo of Tiffany Falls by Jack Starret

Quick. When you think of Hamilton what comes to mind?

For most people it's steel mills, pollution, and industry. The Burlington Skyway has forever branded Hamilton in a one dimensional way.