A Greenbelt Foundation study, produced in partnership with the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and the Metcalf Foundation, identifies ways Ontario can make changes to its food system to increase the supply of local food, create jobs, and support healthier lifestyles.
The report is called, "Dollars & Sense: Opportunities to Strengthen Southern Ontario's Food System."
The report has two objectives. To better understand the economic and environmental impacts of regional food systems. And to assess how increasing regional food production and distribution would affect the larger food system, including businesses that supply farmers, food processors and distributors as well as food retailers and food service operations.
Key findings include, reducing the top 10 fruit and vegetable imports by 10 per cent and expanding local production would help create 3,400 jobs and boost the province’s GDP by nearly a quarter billion dollars. It also points to Ontarians adopting a healthier diet leading to higher consumer demand for fruits, vegetables, and some grains.
And transitioning 10 per cent of food consumption to organic would improve farm incomes and reduce the environmental impact of food production, but require imports of many products unless local organic production was increased.
