MPP BAILEY ANNOUNCES ONTARIO PC PLAN TO FIGHT HUNGER WITH LOCAL FOOD

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QUEEN’S PARK – Today, Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford and PC Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, announced a PC amendment to the Local Food Act which would add a tax credit for farmers who donate their products to their local food bank. Also on hand were Jamie Reaume of the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association and Amanda King from the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

“Ontario has stagnated with little economic growth and high unemployment across the province,” said Bailey. “While the PC Caucus’ priority is to provide a path to grow our economy and create jobs, we also recognize today’s reality that many Ontarians struggle to put food on their tables and need to look to their local food bank for assistance. This is a simple thing we can do that will make a big difference to those families.”

Modeled on Bailey’s private members bill “Fighting Hunger with Local Food Act,” the amendment would grant a non-refundable tax credit worth 25% of the wholesale value to farmers who choose to donate their excess agricultural products to local food banks. The bill would also permit unused tax credits to be carried forward up to five years.

Each year, while food banks struggle to provide for those in need, Ontario farmers dispose of or plough back into their fields, more than 25 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food. This food is healthy, tasty and fresh, but is not chosen for sale by grocers because of cosmetic reasons such as size, shape or colour. Many farmers cannot afford the additional costs incurred to collect, process, and deliver their unsold produce to local food banks despite a clear desire in the industry to do so.

“This tax credit will help ensure that local Ontario food gets to some of the people who need it the most,” said Hardeman.

Hardeman pointed out that currently the Local Food Act does nothing to increase the consumption of local food outside of government buildings. The PC Caucus has already announced an amendment to increase food literacy by requiring food education as a mandatory component of instruction for pupils in every grade.

“The PC Caucus believes that Ontario deserves a comprehensive Food Act that addresses the challenges that our food system and farmers are facing,” said Hardeman. “That’s why we are putting forward amendments such as this tax credit which will help our farmers and ensure that people using Ontario’s food banks will have more access to fresh, high quality Ontario food.”

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The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) reports that food bank usage in Ontario has increased 10% between 2008 and 2012.

Over 413,000 Ontarians, including 160,000 children, used food banks every month in 2012 – an all-time high for the province. The increased demand has placed a lot of pressure on food banks to increase their food supply. Over 17,000 households accessed food banks for the first time in 2012.

Over 70% of food bank users do not receive the minimum recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables according to the Canada Food Guide.

Over 25 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food is disposed of or ploughed back into farmers’ fields in Ontario each year.

Farmers cannot afford the costs incurred to collect, process, and deliver their unsold produce to local food banks despite a clear desire in the industry to do so.

A Food Bank Donation Tax Credit for Farmers would help to support not only local food banks, but also farmers and Ontarians in need.

Over ten US states have implemented a grant or tax credit program for the provision of surplus agricultural products including: Oregon; North Carolina; Colorado; Maryland; Virginia; Pennsylvania; Texas; Ohio; Michigan; Kentucky; and Arizona.

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“”The Holland Marsh is filled with generous folks who have donated their time, effort, and food products to food banks and programs for years and do so without recognition and acknowledgement of how much they truly give. That is their way and their nature. With Mr. Bailey’s amendment to the Local Food Act, bringing forward what was a private member’s bill that the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association supported from its original announcement, it is hoped that more areas – not just ours – help with a hand up not a hand out when it comes to providing safe, healthy, nutritious food and provides those farmers with a taxable benefit encouraging more generosity for years to come.” – Jamie Reaume of the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association.

“MPP Bob Bailey’s Fighting Hunger with Local Food provides an inexpensive and common sense solution to a critical problem for Ontario’s most vulnerable.” – Alan Craig of the Living Rock Ministries (Hamilton, ON).

“On behalf of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable farmers, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFGVA) is pleased to support your efforts to assist local food banks, local farmers and low income Ontarians.” – Art Smith of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association.

“Fortunately, there is a ready supply of food right in our own backyard, and a committed, supportive; and willing community of farmers who can help meet the great need that exists. But as you have recognized, they also need support to help cover the costs associated with these donations.” – Bill Laidlaw of the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

“The North York Harvest Food Bank, one of the largest food banks in Toronto, strongly encourage you to move forward Fighting Hunger with Local Food.” – Anette Chawla of the North York Harvest Food Bank (Toronto, ON).

“We applaud your initiative to advance Fighting Hunger with Local Food. We are delighted that you have taken up our cause to advance this initiative that we have worked so long to see implemented.” – Bill Laidlaw of the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

“The members of the Walkerton & District Food Bank strongly support Fighting Hunger with Local Food, requesting that Fighting Hunger with Local Food move forward quickly and be implemented immediately.” – Neil MacDonald of the Walkerton & District Food Bank (Walkerton, ON).

“This amendment is something we have been looking for to provide recognition for farmers’ support of Food Banks.” – Mark Wales of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

“Fighting Hunger with Local Food provides a win-win situation where agriculture producers and processors can receive a credit for donations to the food bank system, food banks receive product and most importantly, food bank users – the most vulnerable in our society receive much needed food items.” – Myles Vanni of the Inn of the Good Shepherd (Sarnia, ON).

“On behalf of the Food For All Food Bank, we would like to thank you for your efforts in introducing Fighting Hunger with Local Food.” – Bonnie Gommert of the Food For All Food Bank (Prescott, ON).

“With increasing need among many Ontarians, Fighting Hunger with Local Food will help to alleviate the burden on food banks while providing farmers incentive to donate unused produce.” – Brenda Murray of the Salvation Army Ontario Central East Division (Toronto, ON).

“On behalf of Ontario’s farmers, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is pleased to support your efforts to assist local food banks, local farmers and low income Ontarians.” – Former President, Bette Jean Crews of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

“While several Ontario greenhouse vegetable producers donate generous amounts of product to local food banks and school groups, we believe that the proposed tax credit will increase participation and affectively enhance the continued supply of fresh produce.” – Former Chairman, Len Roozen of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (Leamington, ON).

“On behalf of the Board of the Directors of the Community Advocacy and Legal Centre, I would like to express our support for Fighting Hunger with Local Food Bob Bailey initiated.” – Tim Grew of the Community Advocacy and Legal Centre (Belleville, ON).

“With little help from the Federal, Provincial or local government we see the need for such a bill and certainly support any type of tax break to local farmers that are sometimes the biggest supporters of fresh produce to us.” – Nadine Kennedy of the Lanark County Food Bank (Carleton Place, ON).

“Fighting Hunger with Local Food will encourage farmers to donate produce to food banks that would otherwise be turned back into their fields. This will help many Ontarians as they find themselves having to access food banks for a variety of reasons,” – Brenda Murray of the Salvation Army Ontario Central East Division (Toronto, ON).

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For more information, contact:

Tara Barry | 416-325-1239 | Tara.Barry@pc.ola.org | www.erniehardemanmpp.com

David Donovan | 416-325-1715 | david.donovan@pc.ola.org | www.bobbaileympp.com