Ontario invests nearly $600,000 in Farm & Food Care’s public trust initiatives
June 5, 2025
By Canadian Poultry magazine
New three-year agreement with the province will fund consumer outreach, education, and industry engagement across Ontario.
Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) has secured a major funding boost from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) through a new three-year agreement worth up to $597,000. The funding will support key advocacy and outreach initiatives aimed at strengthening public trust and consumer confidence in Ontario’s food and farming systems.
Announced on June 5, the investment will help FFCO expand its programming and engage with a broader audience across the province. The funding will be directed toward six core activities that bring farmers and the public together in meaningful ways.
Among these are FFCO’s popular Breakfast on/from the Farm events, food industry tours for culinary professionals, the More than a Migrant Worker storytelling project, and the development of public engagement resources including FarmFood360 VR kiosks and educational displays. The funding will also support FFCO’s free digital asset library for media and industry, as well as training programs that equip farmers and agri-businesses to communicate effectively with the public.
“Our government is investing in Farm & Food Care Ontario so they can continue to raise public awareness and build trust in Ontario’s farmers and food businesses,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “This helps support Ontario’s farmers, our economy and the local food supply chain.”
The announcement builds on a year of growing recognition for FFCO. In 2024, the organization received the Minister’s Award from then-Minister Rob Flack, further cementing its role as a trusted voice in agriculture.
FFCO Chair Janelle Cardiff welcomed the funding, calling it “extremely encouraging for the direction of FFCO’s work.” She added, “This show of support by the province reiterates the importance of engaging farmers and the public in meaningful conversations.”
As a registered charity, FFCO relies on a mix of public and private funding—including support from farm organizations and agribusinesses. This new provincial investment will allow it to deliver impactful programming through to 2028.