In This Issue

• FFCO at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, November 7 - 16, 2025
• Tickets on sale for 2025 Ontario Harvest Gala on November 27, 2025
• FARMtoberfest - Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
• Celebrating Ontario Agriculture Week
• ICYMI: FFCO hosts culinary student tours
• Last chance to enter The Real Dirt on Farming photo contest
• Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts
• Nominate a Food & Farming Champion
• Last call for 2025 FFCO t-shirts - limited sizes remaining
• The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive case sale
• Faces Behind Food campaign brings Canadian farmers to downtown Toronto
• CCFI 2025 Public Trust Research
• FFCO welcomes new members
• Culinary student tour guest testimonial

FFCO at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Join Farm & Food Care Ontario at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, running November 7–16, 2025.

Visit us in the Education Zone (Hall B, Booth #4009) to explore the latest FarmFood360° Virtual Tours — including three brand-new experiences featuring grain, field tomato, and apple farming.

While you’re there, don’t miss your chance to enter a special contest being run in partnership with Chicken Farmers of Ontario for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind farm experience — including a tour of an Ontario chicken farm, a family photo shoot, and lunch with the farm family in 2026.

To qualify, simply participate in one of the following:

• Submit a question in Farm & Food Care Ontario’s Ask-A-Farmer mailbox
• Watch a FarmFood360 Virtual Reality Farm Tour
• Take part in any activation at the Chicken Farmers of Ontario booth

Celebrate the season at the 2025 Ontario Harvest Gala, November 27

Join FFCO on November 27, 2025, in Guelph for an evening celebrating the harvest, showcasing excellence across Ontario agriculture, and supporting vital work to grow public trust in food and farming.

Last year, this event raised more than $31,000 to support FFCO’s initiatives. In 2025, with your support, we’re aiming even higher.

The evening will include:

• Cocktail reception & hors d’oeuvres
• Dinner featuring Ontario’s finest foods
• Presentation of the Paul Mistele Memorial Award

Dress to dazzle in your best Farm-Style Glitter and Glam and join us for a night where rustic charm meets sparkling celebration.

FARMtoberfest - Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

On October 10, Breakfast on the Farm took on an urban twist. The third and final event of 2025, FARMtoberfest, took place during the opening day of Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo - Canada's largest Bavarian festival.

Guests were invited to participate in a range of agriculture-related activations, including trivia, flower crown-making, milking demonstrations, and food sampling. They even met many of our partners' mascots. A diverse group of farmer and industry volunteers were on hand to engage with thousands of visitors and answer all their food and farming-related questions.



This event brought the best of Ontario's farms to the heart of Kitchener for a day full of meaningful connection and learning. Farm & Food Care Ontario can't do this outreach alone, and as such would like to extend a sincere thank you to our partners, volunteers, and colleagues who make events like FARMtoberfest possible.

You can use this link to see a complete list of event partners: https://www.farmfoodcareon.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FARMtoberfest-Partners.pdf.

Celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week 2025

From October 6–12, 2025, Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) celebrated Ontario Agriculture Week, joining with the province’s agriculture community to recognize the incredible bounty produced by Ontario’s farmers, the hardworking people behind the scenes in our agriculture industry, and the vibrant rural communities that thrive because of local food production.

In partnership with AgScape, FFCO hosted three Virtual Food and Farm Field Trips, providing an engaging way for participants to learn about agriculture and food production.

Support for Ontario’s local food sector was shown through the use of the hashtags #ONTAgWeek and #LoveONFood across social media platforms. Participants were encouraged to share their stories and use the ready-made graphics from FFCO’s Ontario Agriculture Week social media library — which were downloaded over 1,200 times — to help amplify their messages and celebrate the amazing contributions of local farmers.

In case you missed it: FFCO hosts culinary student tours

As the 2025 tour season comes to a close, this fall has been highly impactful, taking hundreds of culinary and food industry professionals to Ontario farms and food processing facilities.

George Brown College Culinary Tour

On October 8, 40 culinary management students, industry professionals, and leaders from George Brown College participated in a full-day, three-stop tour of mushroom, egg, and grain farms. The group was highly engaged throughout the day, particularly impressed by the hands-on experiences and expert insights from farmers and industry professionals.

Promoted through the program advisory committee, the tour also engaged nutrition leads from the Toronto District School Board and Food Allergy Canada, fostering new connections to strengthen the Food Industry Professional Program.

George Brown College culinary students at Windmill Mushrooms.

Lambton College Culinary Tour

On October 16, 45 students from Lambton College’s Food Safety and Quality Assurance Management program participated in a full-day, four-stop farm tour. Students explored a grain operation and seed production, followed by a visit to Gray Ridge Eggs to see how eggs are graded and packed for grocery stores. In the afternoon, the group toured a beef farm and learned about sustainable beef production and how food waste is upcycled into cattle feed, before concluding at the Swain family’s sheep farm, where they observed the management of a large flock across multiple barns.

FFCO Chair Janelle Cardiff presenting to Lambton College students at Gray Ridge Eggs grading facility.

Farm & Food Care Ontario’s tour program depends on the generosity, openness, and time of our farmer hosts. Their commitment to sharing their knowledge and experiences continues to make these tours impactful and memorable for all who participate.

Thank you to all our hosts, speakers, and supporters for making these tours possible.

Last chance to enter The Real Dirt on Farming photo contest

Farm & Food Care is inviting photographers from across Canada to enter a nation-wide farm photo contest, with $4,000 in cash prizes up for grabs across six categories.

Winning photos may be featured in the upcoming seventh edition of The Real Dirt on Farming — a publication that answers common questions about how food is grown and raised in Canada. The booklet is due out in 2026. Entries are due by November 30, 2025. Photos may also be used in other Farm & Food Care initiatives.

CATEGORIES

1. Canadian Farm Scenes – Capture the beauty of Canada’s rural landscapes, from sweeping fields to quiet farmyards.
2. Crazy About Crops – Feature crops being grown in fields, orchards, or greenhouses across Canada.
3. All About Animals – Showcase farm animals in barns or pastures — candid, playful, or hard at work.
4. Canadian Food – Celebrate fresh, delicious, and nutritious Canadian-grown food from farm to plate.
5. Day in the Life – Share moments that reflect daily life on the farm and the people who make it all happen.
6. Equipment & Technology – Highlight the tools and tech driving innovation on Canadian farms — from drones to robotics.

More information, including contest rules, eligibility, format, and judging criteria, is available at the link below.

Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts

Are you interested in participating in one of Ontario's largest agricultural outreach events? Consider hosting a Breakfast on the Farm in 2026 or beyond.

Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) is seeking host farms and agricultural societies across the province. Our team will take the lead, collaborating with you and a local volunteer committee to ensure a successful and memorable event.

Interested in learning more? Contact the FFCO office to discuss your farm or organization and the role of a host. Call 519-837-1326, ext. 221, or email events@farmfoodcare.org with any questions. Applications are available for download and can be submitted directly to Farm & Food Care.

Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2026.

Nominate a Food & Farming Champion

FFCO is excited to announce that nominations are now open for its annual Champion Award. This prestigious award celebrates individuals, organizations, or businesses that go above and beyond to connect consumers with agriculture, share accurate information, and help the public better understand how food is grown and produced in our province.

Do you know someone who’s making a real impact in promoting Ontario agriculture? Submit your nomination by March 6, 2026 and help us recognize their outstanding contributions. Check out the nomination form and share the story of a true agri-food champion.

Pictured here is 2025 Food & Farming Champion Award winner Bruce Christie.

Last call for 2025 FFCO t-shirts – limited sizes remaining

These exclusive “If Found, Please Return to the Farm” t-shirts designed specially for Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) are almost gone. Don’t miss your chance to grab one of these stylish, ultra-comfy shirts for just $25.

Limited sizes available: Small, X-Large, and 3XL.

Orders can be picked up at no cost from the FFCO office in Guelph or shipped anywhere in Canada for a flat rate of $5.

Start your Christmas shopping and order yours today.

The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive sale

FFCO is offering a special discount on cases of the sixth edition of The Real Dirt on Farming. This award-winning booklet answers the top questions Canadians have about food and farming in a simple, easy-to-understand format.

This edition dives deep into the roots of Canadian agriculture, featuring farmer and researcher profiles from across the country—from the Yukon to Newfoundland and everywhere in between. Available in both English and French, the booklet comes in two versions: full and digest.

Order today and choose pick-up to receive a FREE cardboard tabletop stand with your purchase! Shipping is also available if you prefer. Payment can be made by cheque, e-transfer, or credit card.

Faces Behind Food campaign brings Canadian farmers to downtown Toronto

Starting in March 2025, the Faces Behind Food project was promoted through the GO Transit system in the Greater Toronto Area with a campaign that reached approximately 1.5 million commuters.



Building on this success, in September, Faces Behind Food project expanded to the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), launching 101 posters inside subway cars and four posters in high-traffic stations. This phase of the campaign is estimated to generate nearly nine million impressions.

CCFI 2025 Public Trust Research

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity’s 2025 Public Trust Research shows Canadians are more optimistic about the country’s food system than in recent years, with 45% saying it’s headed in the right direction — up 14 points from 2024. While trust has rebounded to a five-year high, the results highlight the need for ongoing transparency and engagement. Farmers and scientists continue to top the trust rankings, reflecting the public’s appreciation for expertise and research. Cost of food remains the top concern for nearly half of Canadians. CCFI emphasizes that this moment of positive sentiment is an opportunity to strengthen long-term trust across the sector.



Read the report: foodintegrity.ca/research

FFCO welcomes new members

FFCO is pleased to welcome the following new members:

Silver member

• Prevtech
• TCIM - AllFarm Underwriting

Thank you for your membership and support as we continue to educate and bring awareness of food and farming to consumers in Ontario and across Canada.

Lambton College Culinary Student tour guest testimonial

"This tour was an excellent educational experience that helped bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real agricultural practices. It deepened my appreciation for local farming and the effort behind every safe product we consume. Thank you for organizing it!"

Lambton College Culinary tour guest

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 ($1800+) can access free training and workshops

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