Policy, practice & partners in a vibrant food & farming cluster.

Recent News

Wine-Making; Honouring Tradition, Embracing Change

Monday, August 10, 2026

For Sue-Ann Staff, having a winery is about creating a product that people can connect to. It is about putting an experience in a bottle and sharing it with the people who bring it to life. It is also about knowing when to embrace tradition and when to try...read more

Strengthening ConnectON for Agricultural Systems Planning Across Ontario

Monday, August 10, 2026

Over the past year, the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance (GHFFA) has completed a major enhancement of the ConnectON platform through support from the Grassroots Growth Initiative (GGI). The project has significantly expanded Ontario’s most comprehensive municipal business mapping platform while providing municipalities with new tools to better...read more

A Sweet New Chapter for Hamilton as $135M Sugar Refinery Opens at Pier 15

Monday, August 10, 2026

Ontario’s food manufacturing sector received a significant boost with the opening of a new sugar refinery by Sucro in Hamilton, Ontario. The facility represents more than just an investment in sugar production; it strengthens Canada’s food supply chain, enhances domestic manufacturing capacity, and creates new opportunities for food and...read more

2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer

Monday, August 10, 2026

The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing the essential role women play across agrifood systems and the need to highlight contributions and milestones that women have achieved. In Canada, this recognition comes at a time of meaningful change. According to the 2021...read more

Buying Local, Investing in Our Future

Monday, August 10, 2026

Buying local is more than a purchase, it is an investment in Ontario’s and Canada’s future.  In times of uncertainty, Canadians have shown what matters most.  During the Covid-19 pandemic, communities rallied behind local businesses, farmers and food producers to keep them operating during unprecedented challenges.  Today, a changing...read more

Local Food Champion – Mark Kenny

Monday, August 10, 2026

Our latest Local Food Champion is Mark Kenny of the University of Guelph, a passionate advocate for Ontario food whose work demonstrates how institutional purchasing can strengthen the local food system. . His commitment goes beyond procurement—he believes in cultivating relationships, opening doors for local food companies, and telling...read more