The Ontario government is drawing praise from provincial farm leaders for reintroducing a Local Food Act aimed at promoting use of Ontario-produced food in the province.
However, critics complained the bill does not go far enough and lacks specific targets.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture supported the bill and called for more action.
“Ontario farmers are eager to meet consumer demand and preferences for local fresh food,” OFA president Mark Wales said in a statement.
“This act will help create more opportunities, but to be truly effective, Ontario also needs to focus on food literacy in our schools and improving access to nutritious food for all Ontarians.”
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It is the first piece of food and agriculture legislation introduced by new premier and agriculture minister Kathleen Wynne.
It would require the government to produce an annual report on its activities to support local food and set targets for local food use in markets, schools, stores and restaurants in consultation with the industry.
The food sector estimates that $200 million in sales would be added to the local food economy if public institutions, including schools and hospitals, bought one-quarter of their food supplies from local sources.
The legislation would also designate the week before Thanksgiving as “celebrate Ontario local food week,” replacing the “Ontario agriculture week” designation that has been in place since 1998.
The change in name drew the ire of Progressive Conservative agriculture critic Ernie Hardeman, who said it insults farmers who produce the food.
Hardeman said the government bill will do little to improve the farm economy because it does not set targets for use of local food. Many local food advocates are calling the bill a “missed opportunity” and want to see it strengthened, he added.
