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Thank You To Local Businesses For Supporting Ontario Farmers

July 17, 2025

MPP Brian Saunderson was pleased to present Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards to Goldsmith’s Farm Market & Bakery and Foodland Thornbury

July 17, 2025 – For Immediate Release

Thornbury, ON – Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey was pleased to recognize Goldsmith’s Farm & Bakery and Foodland Thornbury with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards for their commitment to protecting Ontario farmers and local food supply chain by promoting local food. The award recognizes creative produce displays that showcase the bounty of Ontario’s local food industry.

“For generations, agriculture has been a major economic driver in our region”, said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “From apple orchards and potato fields, to our many family farms, the bounty this area produces is world-class. I offer my congratulations and thanks to both businesses located in The Blue Mountains, as they proudly showcase the exceptional products Simcoe-Grey and Ontario produces.”

For more than 35 years, the annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have continued to be the produce industry’s signature opportunity to recognize the creative talent of produce managers and staff who build eye-catching displays that promote Ontario-grown and in-season fruits and vegetables.

“Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Now more than ever, it is important to buy Ontario-grown and made foods to support our local food industry. Most purchase decisions are made in-store. When businesses build creative displays to highlight local products, they are helping drive purchases that support and protect Ontario farms, food businesses and our entire food supply chain.”

This year, Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are presenting 64 awards that recognize 60 grocery stores across the province for their innovative promotion of fresh Ontario food. This annual program runs between January and November and includes four categories of displays that celebrate excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods.

For almost 50 years, Foodland Ontario has connected with families on how to recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods. Ontario has one of the most diverse agri-food industries in Canada and produces more than 200 commodities, including asparagus, berries, tender fruit, apples, greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. To know when all your local fruits and vegetables are in season, visit Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide.

QUOTES

“Winning this award from Foodland Ontario is such an honour, especially because it speaks directly to what we care about most – growing as much as we can right here on our farm and supporting other local growers. This award reflects the creativity and dedication of our incredible team and the values we share with our customers about fresh, local food.  Huge thanks to our amazing staff and our community for supporting what we do every day!”

Debby Oakley

Goldsmith’s Farm Market and Bakery

“I am honoured to be able to accept this award. I am excited to continue working together with all of our local Ontario small growers this upcoming year to showcase the very best that Ontario has to offer!”

Sean Dutton

Foodland Thornbury

QUICK FACTS

  • By buying locally grown foods, Ontarians are supporting Ontario’s agriculture and food industry which in turn provides more than 871,000 across the province.
  • Ontario celebrates Local Food Week each year by recognizing our hardworking farmers, food businesses, retailers and everyone across the local food supply chain. This year, Local Food Week was June 2-8, 2025.