In This Issue

• Exclusive screening of World Without Cows documentary, June 2 & 4, 2026
• Breakfast on the Farm - Binbrook, June 13, 2026
• Get on the farm this summer: Breakfast on the Farm event line-up for 2026
• Celebrate Local Food Week, June 1-7, 2026
• FFCO seeking staff for CNE activation
• The Real Dirt on Farming - Free resources for your event
• More than a Migrant Worker featured in LCBO's spring Food & Drink magazine
• FFCO staff development day
• Wear your Canadian farming pride this summer
• ON Farm Fun app launched by Agritourism Ontario
• Member accolades
• Food Industry Professional tour guest testimonial

Exclusive screening of World Without Cows, June 2 & 4

Can we feed the world without cows? Are we asking the right questions about cows? How do cows impact the health of our planet?

Two award-winning journalists went on a global journey to answer these questions and more. Five years and 22 countries later, their findings are the subject of the award-winning Alltech documentary, World Without Cows.

To celebrate Local Food Week, Farm & Food Care Ontario and partners invite you to exclusive free screenings of the film:



• June 2, 2026 — The Westdale, Hamilton, in partnership with Summit Station Dairy & Creamery

• June 4, 2026 — Circle Theatre, Alliston, in partnership with Sheldon Creek Dairy

Guests will enjoy complimentary popcorn, drinks, and snacks during the film, followed by an opportunity to ask local farmers questions about how food is grown and raised in Ontario.

The events are free, but pre-registration is required. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore one of agriculture’s most talked-about conversations.

Breakfast on the Farm - Binbrook, June 13, 2026

Bring the whole family to Breakfast on the Farm on June 13 at Roy-A-Lea Farms Ltd. in Binbrook for a fun and educational morning on the farm.

Hosted by the Spoelstra family and FFCO, this one-day event offers a behind-the-scenes look at modern Ontario agriculture. Guests can enjoy an all-Ontario breakfast, explore interactive exhibits and educational displays, see tractors and farm equipment up close, and learn how robotic milking and feeding technology is used on today’s dairy farms.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see a variety of farm animals, including sheep, goats, water buffalo, and Clydesdale horses, alongside the farm's dairy, beef, and grain operations.

Whether it’s your first time attending or a family tradition, Breakfast on the Farm is a unique opportunity to experience agriculture up close and make lasting memories.

Tickets are available now. Order before they sell out.

Get on the farm this summer: 2026 Breakfast on the Farm line-up

FFCO’s 2026 Breakfast on the Farm events are set to welcome guests for behind-the-scenes looks at modern Ontario agriculture across the province.

The first event will take place June 13 at Roy-A-Lea Farms Ltd. in Binbrook, a dairy, beef, and grain farm owned by the Spoelstra family. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour a modern dairy barn featuring robotic milking and feeding technology, see beef cattle and other livestock up close, enjoy an all-Ontario breakfast, and take part in family-friendly activities.

The second event will be held July 25 at Cranbrook Farms in Brussels, a progressive dairy operation run by the Terpstra family. Home to 400 Holstein dairy cows milked in a rotary parlour system, the farm was rebuilt following a barn fire in 2023, incorporating new technology to support future growth. Guests will be welcomed to experience firsthand how their food is produced and to connect with the people behind it.

Save the date for FFCO’s third Breakfast on the Farm event at River Valley Cattle Co. (Beef Farm) in Newburgh on September 26, 2026. Additional event details and ticket information will be shared soon.

All events will showcase the diversity of Ontario agriculture through interactive exhibits, equipment displays, and educational experiences highlighting advancements in farming and food production. Knowledgeable farmer volunteers will be on-site to answer questions and share their stories.

To get involved and support this important outreach initiative, contact FFCO to learn more about partnership opportunities.

Volunteer registration for the Binbrook event is now closed. Volunteer opportunities for the Brussels and Newburgh event are open.

Questions? Reach out to events@farmfoodcare.org.

Help celebrate Local Food Week, June 1-7, 2026

Local Food Week kicks off next week, June 1 to 7, 2026. This year’s celebration focuses on the connection between Ontarians and the food grown and made right here at home, highlighting how choosing local supports communities, strengthens the economy, and helps keep our food system close and resilient.

Throughout the week, Ontarians are encouraged to showcase what local looks like to them, from farms and food businesses to meals made with Ontario ingredients. Join the conversation by using #loveONfood across your social media channels.



To help support Local Food Week promotions, an updated library of graphics is available for organizations and partners to use throughout the week.

FFCO seeking staff for CNE activation

FFCO is seeking enthusiastic, outgoing individuals to help staff our booth in the Farm Building at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) this August. 


Within the booth space, exhibit staff will assist with interactive games, activities, and educational resources while engaging visitors and guiding them through FarmFood360 virtual tours featuring more than 30 different types of farms and food processing facilities. This is a unique opportunity to connect with non-farming Ontarians in an urban setting, answer questions about food and farming, and help grow trust in Ontario agriculture through positive, interactive conversations.


Successful candidates will receive a stipend, meals during shifts, and reimbursement for travel expenses.



Interested? Contact us today to learn more events@farmfoodcare.org

The Real Dirt on Farming — Free resources for your events

FFCO is clearing out inventory of the existing stock of The Real Dirt on Farming magazine to make room for the new edition, arriving in the fall of 2026. 

This award-winning booklet answers common questions Canadians have about food and farming in a simple, easy-to-understand format. This resource explores the roots of Canadian agriculture through farmer and researcher profiles from across the country from the Yukon to Newfoundland and everywhere in between.

Cases can be picked up free of charge from the FFCO office. Shipping is also available at cost, with payment accepted by cheque, 
e-transfer, or credit card.

Please email admin@farmfoodcare.org to reserve your case today.

More Than A Migrant Worker featured in LCBO's spring Food & Drink magazine

The May edition of LCBO’s Food & Drink magazine featured a full-page advertisement highlighting the More Than a Migrant Worker (MTAMW) campaign.

Led by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association in partnership with FFCO and several OFVGA members, the campaign shares the stories of the men and women who help grow and harvest Ontario’s food while helping answer questions about seasonal workers in the fruit and vegetable industry.

The feature also recognizes 60 years of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, which began in 1966 when 264 Jamaican workers arrived in Ontario to support the apple harvest. Today, thousands of seasonal workers continue to play an important role in Ontario agriculture and food production.

With a readership of more than 2.7 million per issue, Food & Drink provides significant visibility for the campaign and its message of recognition and appreciation for the people behind Ontario’s food system.

FFCO staff development day

The entire FFCO staff team recently came together for a rare day away from the office focused on professional development, collaboration, and team connection.

Facilitated by Stone Ridge Consulting, the session focused on DiSC Personality Assessments, a behavioural profiling tool designed to strengthen communication, teamwork, and workplace productivity. The training provided valuable insight into how team members work and communicate, helping strengthen collaboration across the organization.

FFCO extends sincere thanks to the Broadfoot family and Broadway Farms Bed & Breakfast for generously donating their beautiful farm setting for the training day, providing an ideal environment for learning, discussion, and connection outside of the office, and helping create opportunities for growth and continued learning across Ontario’s agri-food sector.

Wear your Canadian farming pride this summer

Get ready for Canada Day with FFCO’s Canadian Agriculture t-shirts.

Available in a heathered red unisex classic-fit design, these shirts celebrate the hardworking farmers behind Canada’s food system and are perfect for summer events, family gatherings, and Canada Day celebrations.

Choose from:

• Adult: “Canadian farmer and proud of it”

• Children: “Canadian farmer in training”

These tees are great for the farm, industry events, or casual outings. Available in a full range of adult and children’s sizes, they’re a fun way for the whole family to celebrate Canadian agriculture together.

T-shirts are $25 each. Orders can be picked up at no cost from the Guelph office or shipped for a flat rate of $5.



Order yours today and wear your Canadian farming pride wherever you go.

Agritourism Ontario launches new ON Farm Fun app

Exploring Ontario farms and agritourism destinations just got easier with the launch of Agritourism Ontario’s new ON Farm Fun mobile app.

Developed by Agritourism Ontario, a provincial organization dedicated to supporting and promoting farm-based tourism experiences, the app helps connect consumers with local farms while supporting Ontario’s rural economy through advocacy, resources, and marketing initiatives.

Designed as a family-friendly guide to on-farm experiences across the province, the app connects users with more than 800 Ontario agritourism operators, helping visitors discover pick-your-own farms, farm tours, seasonal festivals, markets, workshops, and family-friendly attractions all in one place.

The app features interactive maps, search and filter tools, real-time updates on farm hours and seasonal offerings, curated itineraries, and direct links to farm websites and contact information. Users can also browse experiences based on location, interests, and availability to help plan day trips and weekend adventures across Ontario.

The free app is available now for both iOS and Android devices and aims to help strengthen connections between consumers, local food producers, and rural communities across Ontario.

Member accolades

Burnbrae Farms, Maple Lodge Farms Ltd., and Conestoga Meats named Platinum members of Canada's Best Managed Companies 2026

Congratulations to FFCO members Burnbrae Farms, Maple Lodge Farms Ltd., and Conestoga Meats on being named a Platinum Club member of Canada's Best Managed Companies. All three companies have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more.

George Gilvesy inducted into Oxford County Agriculture Hall of Fame

Congratulations to George Gilvesy on being named the 2025 Agriculture Hall of Fame recipient by the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture.


The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication to strengthening agriculture and rural communities. Gilvesy has spent more than 46 years advocating for Canadian agriculture through leadership roles with organizations including the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers’ Marketing Board, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, and the Greenhouse Produce Alliance of Canada.

George Gilvesy, right, was recently named as the 2025 inductee into the Oxford County Agriculture Hall of Fame. He is congratulated by Warden Marcus Ryan.

The "Look for the Leaf" campaign by Maple Leaf Foods wins 2026 International ANDY Award

Congratulations to FFCO member Maple Leaf Foods on receiving a 2026 International ANDY Award for its “Look for the Leaf” campaign, created in partnership with No Fixed Address.


The campaign was recognized for its approach to encourage Canadian consumers to support local brands by looking for the “Made in Canada” leaf symbol when shopping.


Presented by the Advertising Club of New York, the ANDY Awards are among the advertising industry’s most respected international honours, celebrating creativity, innovation, and excellence in marketing and communications campaigns from around the world.

Food Industry Professional tour guest testimonial

"In the post COVID years, not only are my food education and cooking programs consistent in schools, but I'm seeing an increase in demand for classes among adults and especially seniors. I always find your tours to provide me with lots of information that I share with these latter two age groups who are always interested in knowing facts about the foods and products that they are about to work with in my classes. I use an iPad during my classes to share photos of my visits in expanding the knowledge of where the food comes from, who grows it and how it is grown/produced. The farm experiences I have used the most are the visits to farms dealing with: carrots, onions, mushrooms, strawberries, apples, dairy, beef, the egg producing facility (really interesting) and the wonderful visit to the Ontario Food Terminal. The visit where we got to meet the temporary and migrant workers was one of the best I've attended, and I make it a point to talk about this aspect of Ontario's farming process in all my adult and senior cooking classes."

-Toronto Food Industry Professional Tour Attendee

Become a Member

Did you know?

• You, your farm or your business can become a member of FFCO
• Your support in membership makes FFCO's work possible
• Corporate members ($1880+) can access free training and workshops

Not a member yet? Learn why others have joined FFCO.