The retention and expansion of local food-producing businesses is the purpose of a survey that will be coming very soon to Lennox & Addington (L&A) County.
The survey will be completed across eight other communities in southeastern Ontario, including Northumberland, Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox & Addington and Frontenac Counties, as well as the cities of Kawartha Lakes, Quinte-West and Belleville.

"We want to find out who is producing food in our area." explained Stephen Paul, economic development manager for Lennox & Addington County. "Where are they selling it, and where are we buying it? Where are the challenges and successes? How can we help them maintain the business and help them grow the business?"

The survey is an opportunity for local food producers to have a say, and through their opinions and information, shape the direction of local food production, processing and retailing.

Project co-ordinators are seeking businesses that promote or produce local food to participate in the surveys, as well as anyone who has an interest in local food to volunteer to administer or deliver the survey.

"I think for a producer to have an opportunity to talk about their business, about what's going well and what's goings wrong, it just opens up the door for further conversation and hopefully through that, make a difference," said Paul.

The purpose of the survey is to use the data received to develop new community strategies to help local food producers, processors and retailers find new markets and identify opportunities to increase revenue.

The survey was initiated by Northumberland County as a second stage to their 2008 Agricultural Action Plan. The goal of the project is to help further develop ideas to support agriculture production and consumer marketing through developing business opportunity analysis, web-based marketing tools, and to improve access to large animal veterinary care and other agricultural support services.

Paul stated that Northumberland County will "work together (with L&A) to do this. The goal is for a good knowledge of local food."

One prospect is that there may be, right now, a producer of local food that is unknown to the area.

Paul said he is excited to see the results of the survey, as "there may be a producer in L & A that is selling to a top restaurant in Toronto that we don't know about ... essentially it's learning about what is happening in L&A."

Half of the funding for the $100,000 project is coming from provincial government's Ontario Market Investment Fund, and the rest through contributions from project partners, Community Futures Development Corporation offices in the region and the Eastern Ontario Development Fund.

"We are going to need 15 volunteers," said Paul. "It's another opportunity to get involved in your community, and a great way to find out about local food."

The volunteers will need their own transportation, however the mileage will be paid for.

"We should be well underway in two weeks, and it will all be completed with data back by Christmas." said Paul, adding that the volunteers will be needed for the month to complete all of the surveys.

Although Paul has stated there are no real expectations to come from the survey that it will "help us learn about right now. I hope that (the survey) will create some strategies to support what's happening here now, to help local producers and attract potential producers as well."

For more information, call Paul at 613-354-4883, ext 234, or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

From:  Food survey should help local producers
By: Clover Raftis
The Napanee Guide
October 27, 2011