Archived Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 31, 2007

OFVGA congratulates returning Ag. Minister

GUELPH, ON. – The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is pleased to welcome back Minister Leona Dombrowsky as the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.

“By having the Minister return in the capacity that she has ably handled over the past couple of years ensures continuity for farm organizations working towards the betterment of the industry as a whole,” said Brenda Lammens, the Chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). “We look forward to having Minister Dombrowsky as our advocate at the cabinet table and we welcome Premier Dalton McGuinty’s decision to return her in this vital portfolio at a time when consumers are very interested in local food and local food production.”

However, Lammens indicated that Minister Dombrowsky is already aware that buying local cannot improve farmer’s bottomlines if provincial legislation continues to erode whatever gains are made through the marketplace.

Referring to issues such as the 28.5 per cent minimum wage increase, Ms. Lammens said that, “This issue alone poses the greatest single threat to the sustainability of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector that we have ever encountered.  It will most definitely impede our ability to continue to produce locally-grown, locally-harvested, safe, and nutritious food.

After all,” she continued, “It is impossible to do this if we do not have farmers. I believe that Minister Dombrowsky understands this.  We now need her to be our advocate at the Cabinet Table with regards to this most serious issue.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 11, 2007

OFVGA congratulates new Ontario government

GUELPH, ON – Last night’s resounding win by the Ontario Liberal Party ensures four more years of stability for the province’s citizens and its farmers at a time when uncertainty still permeates throughout the agricultural industry.

“With this majority victory, it is our hope that the Liberals are able to continue their efforts in promoting Buying Local as a means of increasing the market share farmers’ so desperately need in order to stay in the business of farming,” said Brenda Lammens, the Chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). “But, there are many issues that need to be addressed to ensure that agriculture survives and thrives over the next four years – not the least of which is how to handle the increase in minimum wage which benefits some but seriously threatens the sustainability of fruit and vegetable farmers in Ontario.

“As an organization, we had begun the process of working with the government in addressing inequities within the fruit and vegetable sector and, with many familiar faces returning to the governing side, there should be less effort in educating M.P.P.s about our issues and more put into finding winnable solutions.”

Lammens said that it was “unfortunate” for all of the province’s citizens that agricultural-related issues again took a backseat throughout the election – especially at a time when residents are becoming keenly aware of the importance of their food.

“There were several planks in other parties that would benefit fruit and vegetable farmers in Ontario – and it would be my hope that partisan politics is put aside in order to provide economic benefits to farmers and healthy, safe, nutritious products for our fellow citizens,” she added. “Increasing the attention to our local farmers and our local food is one thing – backing that with concrete legislation that pro-actively addresses agriculture’s concerns will ensure a win-win for everyone in Ontario.”

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For more information, contact:

Brenda Lammens                                                Art Smith
Chair, OFVGA                                                            CEO, OFVGA
519-983-6396                                                            519-763-6160 ext. 115

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