FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2017
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT HELPING BUSINESSES OFFER MORE LOCAL FOOD
FLANAGAN FOODSERVICE TO INVEST IN LOCAL FOOD PROJECT WITH GRANT FROM GREENBELT FUND
Kitchener, ON – The Ontario government, in partnership with the Greenbelt Fund, is making it easier for Ontarians to enjoy healthy and locally-grown produce.
Flanagan Foodservice received a $42,840 grant from the Greenbelt Fund through the province’s Local Food Investment Fund to support its local Ontario food program.
The funding supports Flanagan’s goal to expand sales of Ontario food by increasing its local food offerings and investing in a promotional campaign to improve awareness of Ontario food available to its customers.
The province’s Local Food Investment Fund is supporting 24 local food projects across Ontario with $830,000 in funding.
“For years, Flanagan Foodservice has offered hundreds of local food products to Ontario restaurant and foodservice operators. This funding will allow us to expand the breadth of local foods available to our customers as well as more widely promote the availability of these essential components of today’s local food menu,” says Dan Flanagan, President of Flanagan Foodservice.
“The Greenbelt Fund always seeks out strong leadership in our grantees, empowering local food champions to make lasting change that gets more Ontario food on Ontario plates. With Flanagan Foodservice’s project and leadership, we are confident that we will see a significant increase in local food sales as customers choose more local, more often,” said Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund.
“Through the Local Food Investment Fund, our government is helping local businesses like Flanagan Foodservice increase awareness with consumers about the breadth of local food options available for Ontarians. This Local Food Week, I encourage everyone to savour the good things that are grown in Ontario. By doing so, you are helping boost our local economy and create jobs across the province,” said Jeff Leal, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Flanagan’s local food project is expected to increase sales of Ontario food by $1 million in 2017.
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About the Local Food Investment Fund:
In 2015, the Ontario government provided the Greenbelt Fund with $6 million over three years to support initiatives that will help support the province’s local food strategy by enhancing consumer awareness and access to local food, as well as generating demand and supply of Ontario foods and beverages. The investment supports initiatives such as the Local Food Investment Fund, which is a grant program for farmers and other businesses along the food value chain, broader public sector institutions, and not-for-profits working to increase the amount of Ontario-grown and made food purchased and enjoyed across the province. The Local Food Investment Fund’s three grant streams focus on enhancing local food literacy, increasing market access for small and mid-size Ontario farmers and processors and increasing purchases of local food in the broader public sector, such as hospitals and universities.
About The Greenbelt Fund:
The Greenbelt Fund changes the way we eat food in Ontario. The Fund’s innovative investments get more local food onto the plates of Ontarians. We work with business, institutions and NGOs to make Ontario’s farmers the first choice for consumers. The Fund’s work has generated a 13-fold return on our investments, permanently changed the food value chain and improved local food awareness and education around the province. As a non-for-profit, the Greenbelt Fund is supported by public and private sources. The Local Food Investment Fund is supported by the Government of Ontario.
About Flanagan Foodservice Inc:
Flanagan Foodservice is the largest Canadian family owned foodservice distributor in Canada. The company was founded in 1977 with an emphasis on customer service and has maintained this focus by always putting the customer first, enjoying over 35 years of consistent growth and expansion. Flanagan Foodservice is constantly improving by refining its services, systems, product mix and offering the flexibility to meet its customer’s challenges and changing needs. For more information on Flanagan Foodservice please visit www.flanagan.ca.
Contact:
Erica Woods
Communications Manager
Greenbelt Fund
Phone: (416) 960-0001 ext. 306
[email protected]