By Mark Wales, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
On June 12, Ontarians will go to the polls to vote for our next provincial government. In the weeks leading up to the election, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is focusing our efforts on four key messages with candidates. The issues and opportunities for agriculture must be part of every candidate’s political platform, and it’s up to all of us to engage with candidates on the issues that matter to our industry. Over the next four weeks, we’re featuring our four key election issues, and this week it is about food literacy. Food literacy is a big, broad topic but at its heart it is about ensuring that Ontarians, especially young adults, have an understanding and appreciation of where food comes from and how to make healthy choices for lifelong wellness. The OFA firmly believes human health and illness prevention begins with a strong food literacy component in our school curriculum, with the net result of a healthier population that doesn’t over burden our health care system. And healthier food choices begin right here in Ontario where we grow more than 200 different agricultural products. The OFA’s food literacy goal centres on the “6 x 16 Program” – an initiative that’s part of the National Food Strategy to ensure that by the age of 16, Ontario teenagers are able to plan and prepare six nutritious meals. It’s not really a lofty goal, but one the OFA feels is vital to bring back into the school curriculum. You might wonder why the OFA is championing food literacy. And it’s really not a stretch at all. OFA members are all in the business of growing food – food that is part of a healthy diet. And the more we can engage with young adults about how to make healthy choices, ideally using many of the products grown here at home, the entire industry benefits as we mentor the next generation of healthy consumers. Growing Ontario’s agri-food industry and improving the health of Ontarians rely on a strong knowledge and appreciation of food. Ontario would do well to take a page from the Jamie Oliver script. The English celebrity chef has brought his food literacy campaign to North America – working together with the Sobey’s chain in Canada to keep cooking skills alive. And he’s declared May 16 Food Revolution Day spreading the food literacy messages to “get cooking, share your love of food and inspire others to get excited too.” Sometimes it takes a celebrity to hammer home a point. Sometimes we can make the difference right here at home. Talk to local candidates. Let’s get food literacy back on the school curriculum. Let’s teach our children to make healthier choices that will also strengthen Ontario’s agri-food industry. For more information about food literacy and all the OFA election issues, visit our provincial election site at GrowingOntario.ofa.on.ca For more information contact: Mark Wales President Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-773-6706 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883
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