More than 25-million pounds of fresh food is either thrown out at the farm gate or ploughed back into farmers’ fields into Ontario every year.
The Tory MPP for Sarnia-Lambton, Bob Bailey wants farmers to benefit from all the food they can’t sell or use for other purposes.
Bailey is sponsoring a private member’s bill that — if passed — would provide a tax credit to producers who donate their unsold food to local food banks.
On Thursday — Bailey will introduce Bill 78 for second-reading debate in the Leglsiature.
Bailey says he was inspired to create the proposed legislation through several conversations back in his home riding.
Bailey says he started researching the idea of a tax credit for redirecting unused food after talking with officials with Sarnia’s Inn of the Good Shepherd food bank.
Bailey says he discovered similar laws on the books in at least 10 American states and that it would be a good idea to try in Ontario.
Bailey says the idea behind the bill is simple.
Bailey says in many cases food remains unused because the size, shape or colour prevent them from being chosen for sale by grocery store chains.
Bailey says instead of plowing all that food back into the fields again it could go a long way toward meeting the million-pound-a-year shortage Ontario food banks face.
Bailey says he’s confident the proposed food bank tax credit legislation has a good chance of being passed.
Bailey says the need is there and Bill 78 is a good way to highlight an issue that affects both farmers and food banks.
Bailey says only about six per-cent of private member’s bills become law but redirecting unused food to food banks is something all parties in the Legislature can vote for.
