MPP Ernie Hardeman Presents Two Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards to Local Grocers

June 27, 2024

TILLSONBURG – Today, MPP Ernie Hardeman recognized John and Wendy Cameron, owners of Sobeys Tillsonburg with a Foodland Ontario Silver Award and Blake Sharpe of Foodland Ingersoll with a Foodland Ontario Gold Award for building creative produce displays that drive sales of local Ontario produce and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to Ontario’s local food industry.

“It’s great to recognize our local retailers for supporting area farmers by displaying the wide variety of fruits and vegetables they produce,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford. “It’s displays like these that show how easy it is to access quality, home grown, local produce.”

For more than 35 years, the annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have recognized the creative talent of retail managers and staff who build eye-catching promotional displays to promote Ontario grown and in-season fruits and vegetables.

This year, 63 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are being presented to 60 grocery stores across the province to celebrate excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods.

“Congratulations to all the winners of the 2023 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Farming, Agriculture and Agribusiness. “Our local grocery stores play a pivotal role getting Ontario-grown food from farm to fork. By creating eye-catching in-store displays that celebrate fresh, locally grown produce, grocery stores are helping shoppers identify and purchase Ontario products and support Ontario farmers.”

For more than 45 years, Foodland Ontario has connected with families on how to recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods. Ontario has one of the most diverse agriculture and food industries in Canada, producing more than 200 commodities, including asparagus, berries, tender fruit, apples, greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers and so many more. To know when all your local fruits and vegetables are in season, visit Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide.