Huron-Perth Farm to Table is a network of community organizations with shared interests about access to local, healthy food and the overall vitality of agricultural-related activities in the two-county region. Established in 1999, the central program of the Farm to Table network is the Huron Good Food Box, which provides Huron County residents with access to local vegetables and fruits on a monthly basis. The group creates and distributes the Huron-Perth Buy Fresh Buy Local map, and in 2009 the Opportunities Project was announced.
Huron-Perth Farm to Table Launches the Opportunities Project
The Huron Perth Farm to Table committee, in partnership with the Huron Business Development Corporation, has successfully received money from the Ontario Market Investment Fund to sup-port a year long farmer and market capacity building project in Huron and Perth Counties.
The Opportunities Project will work to fulfill its goals by: Building producer capacity through farmer training in the marketing and production of local foodstuffs; Development of a small scale incubator kitchen; Launch of a number of new farmers’ markets in the area and the establishment of a farmers’ market association for Huron Perth; Creation of a virtual hub that will act as a point of communication and collaboration for food groups in the bi-county area; Increase consumer awareness though education and pro-motion of local food; Expansion of the Good Food Box program.
“We hope that local farmers and processors will get involved in the opportunities this project will create and provide continuous feedback and suggestions for the project,” says Joan Brady, the Opportunities Project Coordinator. We want this project to be farmer and community-driven.
The purpose of this project is to establish Huron Perth Farm to Table as the go to organization for all things food-related within the two rural counties; to increase awareness and support for local foods; and to educate consumers about the benefits of purchasing locally-grown products including the positive effects on the local economy, the long-term health benefits and the sustainability of the environment. Although not all farmers can or should consider marketing directly to the consumer, increasing the production of local food to meet the thriving demand will benefit the entire Huron Perth agricultural community. The Opportunities Project with its mandate to educate and engage consumers will result in a broader community that is both knowledgeable and supportive of the farm sector. Agriculture has long been recognized as one of the major industries in both counties.
The Huron Perth Farm to Table Opportunities Project has the potential to create new marketing structures, teach new skills and develop new products. Opportunities will emerge for farmers, chefs, and consumers to work together to build a strong regional food system. For more information about the Opportunities Project or to provide feedback and suggestions on project activities, please contact us.
Learn about volunteer opportunities with the Huron-Perth Farm to Table network.
