2021 North & Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference

The County of Renfrew and the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA) have come together to co-host the 2021 North & Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference virtually, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). This year’s theme is “Local Food More Than Ever”, and the sessions will explore the hard-won lessons from a global pandemic that can help strengthen local food businesses and organizations.

Previously, this extremely successful event was held in Eastern Ontario only, bringing together those in the local food industry to learn and network. With the constantly changing pandemic, the opportunity to deliver the conference virtually has allowed the conference to be extended to include Northern Ontario. This new format will be delivered over a series of free webinars exploring diverse perspectives on local food.

Throughout March, each session will start at 10:00 a.m. (EST), with virtual participatory chef-led luncheons taking place at noon on March 17th and 31st. Sessions include:

• March 10th – “Local Food More Than Ever: Harvesting the Lessons of COVID-19”
• March 17th – “Navigating Agri-Tourism During a Pandemic” with a chef-led “Taste of the North” participatory lunch at noon
• March 24th – “Surviving and Thriving: The Resilience of Local Food”
• March 31st – “Innovations in the Local Food Frontier: Greenhouse, Vertical Farming, Aquaculture, Aquaponics” with a chef-led “Taste of Renfrew County” participatory lunch at noon

For more information or to register, please visit the event page:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/north-eastern-ontario-local-food-conference-registration-139458254393

For more information:
David Wybou, Business Development Officer
County of Renfrew, Economic Development Services
dwybou@countyofrenfrew.on.ca
613-633-1731

Emily Potter, Executive Director
Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance
emily.nofia@gmail.com
705-650-2820