New organization to build trust in food and farming - first of its kind in Canada

Farm & Food Care Ontario open for business

For Immediate Release - (Guelph) January 3, 2012  - Awareness. Appreciation. Information.  Collectively, these three words comprise the mandate of Farm & Food Care Ontario, which officially opened its doors today in Guelph.

Farm & Food Care is the first coalition of its type in Canada, bringing together tens of thousands of livestock, crop and horticulture farmers and related businesses with a mandate to provide credible information on farming to Ontario’s public.

Crystal Mackay, Executive Director of the new organization said, “Farm & Food Care will cultivate awareness and increase appreciation for agriculture by providing objective, credible information on food and how it’s grown right here in Ontario.”

She added that the new structure will provide a clearer and more effective voice for public outreach and proactive communications, one stop shopping for information on food and farming.  Said Mackay, “Farm & Food Care’s work benefits anyone whose livelihood depends on a healthy and prosperous agriculture in Ontario.”

The new group arises from the amalgamation of the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) and Agricultural Groups Concerned about Resources and the Environment (AGCare).  Both well-respected coalitions were also the first of their kind, formed in 1988 as non-profit, agricultural education coalitions representing Ontario’s livestock and crop farmers and associated organizations. They ceased operations on December 31, 2011.

Building on the legacy of OFAC and AGCare, Farm & Food Care will focus on building public trust and confidence in food and farming through a variety of initiatives including public outreach and media relations, issues management, public speaking and training, resource development, and industry partnerships.  

An interim 12-member board of directors has been elected from amongst the 2011 OFAC and AGCare boards to serve until Farm & Food Care’s inaugural annual meeting on April 17, 2012. Two advisory councils will be formed in addition to the Board, with an emphasis on farm animal care and the environment.  These councils will play a pivotal role with the new organization, providing a forum for proactive dialogue and direction with many stakeholders.  

To learn more about Farm & Food Care Ontario or to support the new organization’s efforts, visit its newly launched website at www.farmfoodcare.org.

For more information:
Kelly Daynard, Communications Manager, Farm & Food Care Ontario, 519-837-1326, ext. 224; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.