Ontario Invests in Marketing Initiative for Local Tender Fruit Growers

August 13, 2024

St. Catharines – The Ontario government is investing up to $1.6 million over four years to support Ontario Tender Fruit Growers in purchasing display bins branded with the Foodland Ontario logo. This will help consumers identify seasonal, locally grown tender fruits when shopping in grocery stores.

“Niagara is home to some of the best tasting tender fruit in the world,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“This branding initiative will help direct consumers to local product in the produce aisle, supporting tender fruit growers across our region.”

“Our province is home to a bounty of fresh tender fruit sought after world-wide,” said Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

“Through this cost-share investment with the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers, we are ensuring more people can identify and choose locally grown fruit. Many purchase decisions are made at the point of sale, so these bins will help consumers source the best fruit available while supporting our farmers and strengthening our provincial economy.”

Display bins branded with the Foodland Ontario logo increase in-store product visibility and secure shelf space during peak season to create demand and support for Ontario grown fruit. This investment will help customers easily identify locally grown and in-season items such as peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, apricots, fresh table grapes and pears.

“On behalf of our local growers, I extend our sincere appreciation for this support,” said Phil Tregunno, Chair of Ontario Tender Fruit Growers.

“These display bins help elevate awareness of local tender fruit and ensure consumers can easily identify what is grown close to home.”

“This marketing campaign is essential for Ontario growers to achieve shelf space that is front and centre at retailers across the country,” said Matthew Ecker, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Vineland Growers Co-operative.

“This funding will provide us with an opportunity to showcase our amazing Ontario-grown tender fruit during the summer and fall seasons. Our growers are very appreciative of the support that we have received from the province. It will go a long way in ensuring the success of Ontario’s family fruit farms.”

The branding initiative will help achieve the Grow Ontario Strategy goal of increasing consumption of locally grown, raised and produced food by thirty percent by 2032.