Ontario farmers are about to be pushed into the spotlight as part of a program by Farmers Markets Ontario to highlight the importance of local food production.
Phillip Powell is the chair of the umbrella group that represents Farmers Markets across the province.
He says thanks to funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and food, they will be developing a campaign of verification and promotion of local farmers.
He says vendors at farmers markets soon will have information to present to consumer about the food they produce, where the farm is located and how far the food has travelled to come to market.
Powell says another initiative is where they bring farmers to markets in large urban areas so consumers in the city ca actually meet and talk to the people who grow the food they are purchasing,.
He says the farmers are simply amazed at how well they are treated by these people who have lost touch with agriculture, but are now getting re connected to their food.
Powell says with all the food scares in the news lately, more and more people are demanding to know where their food comes from , how safe it is and what connection farmers have to the local community.
He says that is one of the many reasons that farmers markets are being established in more communities across Ontario.
