For the second year, Southampton FOODLAND has won an award for outstanding support of Ontario produced food.
The Silver Merit Award was presented on Monday, June 26th, by Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson.

MPP Thompson presented the award to Linda Mellor, Produce Manager, and Martino Catalano, store owner.
“It’s always exciting to be able to present an award like this,” said MPP Thompson. “Supporting our local farmers and producers is vitally important to Ontario agriculture and it’s stores like Southampton FOODLAND that provide that on-going support.”
For more than 35 years, the Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have been celebrating the creative expression of produce managers and staff for their unique and innovative displays that promote locally grown food.
The program runs between January and November and includes four categories of displays that retailers can enter to showcase their efforts to promote in-season, Ontario grown fruits and vegetables.
She pointed out that while fresh produce is important, “… there are small businesses, such as Aunt Lovina’s preserves out of Paisley, that also depend on that same local support. When we support local, it’s a win-win situation because we all know … ‘Good things grow in Ontario’!”
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“We pride ourselves on living local and supporting local,” said store owner, Martino Catalano. “Our customers are also our neighbours and we want only the best for them. That’s why we offer locally-grown and sourced produce, such as our fresh-picked strawberries, as well as carrying only one hundred per cent Canadian triple A beef. We’re very pleased to received this award for the second year and are already going to try for year three.”
This year, Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are recognizing 61 grocery stores across the province for their innovative promotion of fresh Ontario food.
Ontario has one of the most diverse agri-food industries in Canada, producing more than 200 commodities, such as asparagus, berries, tender fruit, apples, greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.
For more than 45 years, Foodland Ontario has connected with families on how to recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods.
To know when all your local fruits and vegetables are in season, visit Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide.
