When I talk about the Greenbelt, or my job at the Foundation, with people who are not “in the business,” they often say “Oh, the Greenbelt. I’ve seen the signs on the highway…”

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The Greenbelt Harvest Picnic is fast approaching, bringing together great music, art, family activities, and local food all in celebration of Ontario’s Greenbelt.

In light of the recent news that Neil Young & Crazy Horse cancelled, I know there has been some frustration surrounding the decision to give ticket holders a partial refund only. I wanted to take a moment to reiterate that we at the Foundation do not make any money from this event. The decision to provide only a $40 partial refund was made by September Seventh Entertainment Ltd. As a title sponsor, we have no authority in making this decision.

This time of year is positively ripe with peaches. Succulent, soft, aromatic peaches. But like much fruit on Ontario, the swell of succulence is only so ephemeral, with peach season lasting the short span of July to September. 

Landslide, Possible Futures

A public art exhibition will be staged at the Markham Museum contributes to a growing public dialogue within Markham, the GTA, and Ontario, about how we live in and plan for a planet in transition. Its aim is to create public dialogue about the future of land use. The exhibition ran from September 21 to October 13, 2013.

Lake Simcoe is all too frequently overlooked and perhaps even under-appreciated. It reminds me a little of what American actor Rodney Dangerfield used to say: “I can’t get no respect.” 

With four Great Lakes in Ontario, all majestic and phenomenal, it’s no surprise that Lake Simcoe is often overlooked. But it really shouldn’t be.

Every summer, I am struck by the sheer wealth of food that comes from this province. After a cold and seemingly endless winter followed by a sluggish spring, the summer comes bearing gifts of sweet golden corn, succulent berries, the tenderest peaches you have ever bitten into, and just about everything else under the sun that makes your heart sing… at least, it does for me.

This year’s meeting of Canada’s premiers occurred in Niagara-on-the-Lake, an important part of Ontario’s Greenbelt. As you may have heard on the news, Premier Kathleen Wynne was the host this year and important topics such as infrastructure, pipelines, and healthcare were discussed by Canada’s thirteen provincial and territorial leaders.

It's no suprise that food and farming in Ontario's Greenbelt is a primary issue represented at the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic and so we felt it appropriate to have our Friends at the Greenbelt Farmer's Market Network write a guest blog to share their role in this.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 11, 2013 

PUTTING MORE LOCAL FOOD ON THE TABLE

New Greenbelt Fund Grants Will Increase Market Access for Ontario Farmers and Processors

The Greenbelt Fund is working hard to make it easy for Ontarians to choose local food. By introducing a new grant stream to increase market access for Ontario farmers and processors, the Market Access program will help increase local food access for public institutions, retail outlets, and foodservice markets.