THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay was given the Local Food Champion Award by the Greenbelt Fund. This award recognizes the leadership and innovation that is creating systematic change in Ontario’s agri-food sector.
The Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal presented the award to Dan Munshaw, Manager, Supply Management with the City of Thunder Bay.
“I attribute Thunder Bay’s success to a visionary Council, successful partnerships with Chris Borutski, who is the Food Services Supervisor for Pioneer Ridge, his team and regional food producers,” said Dan Munshaw.
“Assistance from Greenbelt Fund and Nourish has been immeasurable. It’s rewarding to contribute to improving a resident’s health, experience and economic growth through the leverage of public spend and local foods.”
The City of Thunder Bay was recognized working closely with the local and regional food producers to achieve the following:
· Creation of food contracts directly with regional producers
· Achieved 38 per cent local/regional total food spend
· Strong community advocate and educator of local foods within institutional food sector
In 2016, the City of Thunder Bay bought $395,472 of food from local and regional producers, which supports the Thunder Bay Food Charter and directly benefits the region’s economy.
