NEW Community Space at the Just Food Farm!
Celebrating Ontario’s 150th Anniversary with Better Community Spaces in Ottawa-Orléans
Announcing new funds to create community space at Just Food Farm
MPP Marie-France Lalonde announced today that Just Food is receiving $246,800 of support through the Ontario150 Community Capital Program for their Barn-Raising Renovation to create a city-wide community asset at the Just Food Farm on the NCC Greenbelt. The Ontario150 Community Capital Program will help not-for-profit organizations, like Just Food, renovate, repair and retrofit existing community and cultural infrastructure. This support will be used to increase accessibility and maximize community use of public spaces, delivering better facilities for families in the community.
“Infrastructure is the backbone that supports community life. It gives us spaces to come
together, to be active or to honour our heritage, in this case, honouring our agricultural heritage. Our government is helping Ottawa-Orléans strengthen community infrastructure that makes a difference in our everyday lives.”
— Marie-France Lalonde, MPP for Ottawa-Orléans
“We are grateful to Ontario 150 and Trillium for granting us funds to create a community space by renovating the barn at the Just Food Farm in the NCC Greenbelt to connect community around food and sustainable agriculture in Canada’s capital for decades to come.”
—Patricia Ballamingie, Just Food Board Chair, local grant recipient
“The Ontario150 Community Capital Program will positively impact people right across the province by improving public spaces like parks and youth centres. Our investments in these important projects will build a strong social, cultural and economic legacy for our communities for years to come.”
—Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
“I thank the Province of Ontario for its important contribution that will allow Just Food to restore and modernize their farm’s barn. This contribution will also assist the National Capital Commission with its efforts to preserve the Greenbelt’s rich rural landscape.”
—Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer, National Capital Commission
Ontario is investing $25 million in the Ontario150 Community Capital Program to support 203 capital projects. In total, these investments are expected to result in almost 1.4 million square feet of renovated community space and more than 36,000 hours of additional availability for physical activity and arts programming.
Ontario is recognizing the historical significance of 2017 with Ontario150, a year-long
commemoration that will honour Ontario’s past, showcase the present and inspire future
generations.
The Ontario150 Community Capital Program is one of three Ontario150 grant programs that will promote community engagement, empower young people and contribute to economic growth.
The Ontario150 Community Capital Program is administered by the Ontario Trillium
Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s largest granting
foundations.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation uses research to guide decision-making and relies on
community-based volunteers across Ontario to review applications and guide granting
decisions.
In celebration of Ontario’s 150th anniversary, the province has also released a new
recording of A Place to Stand (Ontario Song), the province’s unofficial anthem. The 50-year old song has been refreshed to instil a sense of pride and belonging for all.
Investing in local communities for Ontario’s 150th anniversary is part of Ontario’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Buy Local Food Made Easy with Local Freshness
Launch during Ontario’s Agriculture Week Oct 3-9th, 2016
Ottawa-Gatineau-Renfrew, October 3, 2016 – The Table agroalimentaire de l’Outaouais, Just Food and the Ottawa Valley Food Coop are pleased to launch the first regional portal dedicated to helping eaters find local food products.
On this portal, eaters from Outaouais, Ottawa and Ottawa Valley will find important links in one place to identify local producers and locate where they are selling food – at the farm-gate, at restaurants, and/or online. Indeed, this portal unites for the first time Savour Ottawa, Outaouais Bite Into it!, Ottawa Valley Food Coop, Outaouais Gourmet Way, Just Food’s Buy Local/Grow Local Guide, and Marché de l’Outaouais.
All year round many local food products can be found either at the farm, in restaurants, in shops or online. This portal will make life easier for customers wanting to buy local food and experience agro-tourism in our region.
“For the first time, organizations dedicated to the promotion of local producers and local food from both sides of the Ottawa River unite to help customers find local products with one click. The Table agroalimentaire de l’Outaouais is proud to be part of this innovative initiative that brings two provinces closer through one unifying goal: put local food at the center of the customers’ plate.” said Sylvain Lefebvre, Chair of the Table agroalimentaire de l’Outaouais.
“A perfect way to celebrate Agriculture Week in Ontario – Oct. 3-9th – we encourage both tourists and residents alike to use this portal as a springboard to visit the incredible farms, farmers’ markets and restaurants in our region that showcase regional food. In fact, not just this week, but all year round! Local Freshness allows you keep updated, with regional Buy Local maps at your fingertips, to help plan your next local food adventure”, said Patricia Ballamingie, Chair of Just Food.
“Demand for buying local food online is increasing, and the Local Freshness portal makes finding this option even easier”, said Daniel McCarthy, Chair of Ottawa Valley Food Coop. “From meat and poultry to honey and maple syrup, to frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables, to prepared food and household items, the options from local farmers and processors in this region are growing all the time for year-round product. See for yourself!”
Tourists and residents will be able to visit www.localfreshness.ca as well as follow the initiative on Facebook.
Sponsors of this initiative include Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, City of Ottawa and the Trillium Foundation of Ontario – all three funders have been long-standing, strong supporters of local food in this region.
“The support we grant to Canadian businesses that focus on innovation clearly demonstrates our commitment to advancing sustainable growth and prosperity in Canada. That is why we are pleased to support the Local Freshness initiative, which will help local enterprises develop new business partnerships and showcase local products,” stated the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
Local Freshness. Simply delicious!
www.localfreshness.ca
Sources:
Moe Garahan, Executive Director
Just Food, Ottawa Table
613-600-7636
moe@justfood.ca
Vincent Philibert, Director
agroalimentaire de l’Outaouais
819 281-7676
tao@agro-outaouais.com
Cheryl Keetch
Ottawa Valley Food Coop, Coordinator
613 633-3557
cherylovfc@gmail.com
