As Ontario marks Local Food Week, the province’s apple growers have been making sure locally grown apples are a top-of-mind food choice with consumers through support from the Hon. Ernie Hardeman and the Government of Ontario.
Ontario Apple Growers just completed a successful marketing campaign to highlight Ontario apples as a versatile and healthy food choice that ran throughout apple season--from fall harvest right through the winter months.
“As apple growers, we celebrate local food every day. We have just come through blossom season and we are excited to see that the 2021 apple crop is now underway in Ontario,” says apple grower Cathy McKay, chair of the Ontario Apple Growers. “Ontario apples are a classic local food loved by consumers of all ages, and we take every opportunity to promote them that we can.”
Ontario apples have just come through blossom season and the 2021 apple crop is underway.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began reshaping consumer eating habits towards an even stronger focus on healthy diets and eating close to home, Ontario Apple Growers ramped up marketing activities to put local apples into the spotlight.
Thanks to funding support of more than $81,000 from the Ontario Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, a successful campaign involving food bloggers and influencers as well as social media, advertising and marketing activities was achieved. During that time, awareness of Ontario apple availability, varieties, uses and attributes increased by 20 percent.
“Ontario celebrates Local Food Week by supporting the Ontario Apple Growers,” said Ernie Hardeman, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. “This investment has helped Ontario Apple Growers educate and promote the amazing variety of apples grown by more than 200 members across the province.”
Ontario produces approximately 15 main varieties of apples along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The farm gate value of the Ontario apple crop is approximately $90 million, which includes sales to fresh and processing markets as well as on-farm/pick-your-own.
Ontario Apple Growers represents 200 commercial apple farmers in the province.
For more information:
Cathy McKay
Ontario Apple Growers
Tel: +1 (905) 440-0966
naturesbounty@xplornet.com
Kelly Ciceran
Ontario Apple Growers
Tel: +1 (905) 688-0990
kciceran@onapples.com
www.onapples.com