The Ontario government is marking Local Food Week by recognizing the contributions of farmers, food processors and agribusinesses that help supply families with locally grown and produced food while supporting jobs and economic growth across the province.
Local Food Week runs from June 1 to June 7 and highlights the importance of Ontario’s agriculture and food sector in maintaining a strong and resilient food supply chain.
“A strong local food supply is critical to the security of our province. When we choose to buy food grown and made in Ontario, we are helping to protect Ontario’s food independence,” said Trevor Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
“Thank you to the farmers, food processors and people across the sector whose world-class food helps feed our province and the world.”
The province also released its 2026 Local Food Report, which celebrates the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer and highlights businesses and organizations that are strengthening Ontario’s food supply chain and supporting local economies.
Featured in the report are Penokean Hills Farms, a Simmental-Angus beef operation created by five Ontario beef farmers in the Algoma region; Produce Express, a company that sources local food for school nutrition programs through a network of more than 300 Ontario producers, farmers and food processors; King Cole Ducks, Canada’s largest duck producer and a locally owned, family-run, women-led business; and Taco House Co., a company that shifted from importing products to sourcing ingredients from local farmers.
As part of Local Food Week, the province is also recognizing grocery retailers through the annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards program. The awards honour stores that create innovative displays promoting fresh, in-season Ontario fruits and vegetables.
This year, 60 grocery stores across Ontario are receiving recognition. The 2026 award presentations were launched at a Food Basics location in Woodbridge with Jones in attendance.
The province is encouraging consumers to support Ontario farmers and food producers by purchasing products carrying the Foodland Ontario logo or by buying directly from farms and local farmers’ markets.
Ontario has recognized Local Food Week annually since it was established to begin on the first Monday of June.
The government said it is also working to strengthen the province’s food sector through the proposed Protecting Ontario’s Food Independence Act, 2026, and by reviewing the Grow Ontario Strategy to ensure it continues to meet the needs of farmers and food producers while supporting long-term growth.
The province noted that 2026 has been designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and said this year’s Local Food Report highlights the contributions of women leaders throughout Ontario’s agri-food sector.
