Ontario turkey farmers launch campaign to make turkey a year-round staple
April 3, 2025
By Canadian Poultry magazine
Initiative aims to boost local consumption through in-store demos, public events, and digital promotions.
An Ontario turkey brand ambassador offers samples of locally raised turkey at a recent in-store demo at Fortinos. The Turkey Farmers of Ontario (TFO) have launched a new campaign to make locally raised turkey a regular feature on dinner tables throughout the year. The Ontario Turkey Consumption Growth initiative, backed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), employs a multi-faceted approach to increase awareness and sales of Ontario turkey.
The initiative builds on TFO’s successful #TurkeyONTour sampling program and includes in-store product sampling at grocery retailers, a large-scale public event, media relations, and social media promotions. New video content and digital advertisements on Facebook and Instagram will also help drive consumer engagement.
“Now more than ever, families are looking at where their food comes from. This presents a powerful opportunity for Ontario farmers,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Our government is proud to support the Turkey Farmers of Ontario in getting the word out about their delicious products. By increasing the domestic consumption of locally grown and raised food items, we are strengthening Ontario’s $51 billion agri-food industry and positioning it for success.”
TFO General Manager Jon-Michael Falconer emphasized the importance of consumer awareness in growing the local turkey market. “We are grateful for the support from OMAFA to promote Ontario turkey as a delicious, versatile, and healthy choice for Ontarians. This project will help us increase visibility for local turkey products and inspire consumers to make turkey part of their everyday meals.”
The campaign kicked off with in-store sampling at select Fortinos locations starting January 25. The goal is to engage shoppers at the point of sale, encouraging them to try Ontario turkey and incorporate it into their meal planning.
Through public engagement efforts and strategic marketing, TFO hopes to strengthen the connection between consumers and Ontario farmers while supporting local food systems.
To follow along with the campaign, find TFO on social media @ontarioturkey and follow the hashtags #TasteTurkey and #TurkeyONTour. More information and updates can be found at www.ontarioturkey.ca.