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Leamington, ON – Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) are pleased with the Ontario government’s budget released today.
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for resilient local food production capacity. Ontario’s greenhouse growers have and will continue to do whatever it takes to grow quality local products while protecting their employees and their communities.
The budget’s focus on continued efforts and programing to manage through the persistent pandemic crisis is welcome. The continued support from the province for the agriculture sector – including Greenhouse growers – is critical to maintaining a safe and secure food system.
At the same time the budget’s acknowledgement that a return to prosperity will require equal commitment and resources is more welcome news for the sector. Critically, the budget’s nod to the unsustainability of current deficits and the need to return to prudent fiscal management will provide the greenhouse sector and agriculture more generally with the confidence to continue to invest, innovate and compete.
“OGVG thanks Minister Hardeman, the Premier and the Ontario government for their continued support to Agriculture in Ontario that was reflected in today’s budget,” said George Gilvesy, Chair of OGVG. “Our members appreciate and value the government’s commitment to provide whatever support is necessary to secure our domestic food supply chain – today’s budget reinforces that commitment. Working together we will get Ontario through the COVID-19 crisis and rebuild a province we will all be proud of.”
“OGVG has worked tirelessly to help their members navigate the health, safety and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Joe Sbrocchi, General Manager of OGVG. “Today’s budget reaffirms a continued commitment to support and collaboratively engage with partners and businesses in the agri-food sector. Our members will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect their employees’ health and well-being while producing safe, local and healthy produce here in Ontario.”
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About OGVG - The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) represents approximately 200 farmers responsible for over 3,200 acres of fresh, nutritious, greenhouse tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers across the province. With farmgate sales of $950 million in 2018, support for over 13,000 jobs, a contribution of $1.8 billion to the economy and a consistent track record of growth, the sector is a valuable economic driver for the province. For an overview of OGVG’s COVID-19 initiatives see the following link.
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Mr. Joseph Sbrocchi, General Manager
T 519-326-2604 or 1-800-265-6926