Hutch Morton rises at 3 a.m. six days a week to transport his family’s wholesale business to the Ontario Food Terminal (OFT) in Etobicoke. The business, specializing in berries and packaged salads, was established by his father-in-law and has solely operated at the food terminal. Morton emphasized the critical role of the OFT for his business and many others in Toronto.
Food terminals serve as hubs for wholesale transactions of fresh produce in bulk. The OFT alone distributes around two billion pounds of fruits and vegetables annually throughout Canada. Recently, the federal government unveiled the National Food Security Strategy, allocating over $3 billion over a decade to enhance food production and affordability in Canada.
Under this strategy, $1 billion will be invested to foster choice and competition, including the establishment of the Food Link Fund to support food terminals and hubs. Plans for the OFT include expansion by the year’s end, the launch of two new food terminals, and the development or enlargement of ten smaller food hubs by 2028.
Ontario growers are optimistic that the new food security strategy will lead to reduced grocery prices. Morton expressed that any investment benefiting growers and consumers alike would be advantageous, emphasizing the importance of the OFT as crucial infrastructure for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Raymond Den Boer, a vegetable farmer, shared how an expanded terminal would enhance product quality and customer experience while supporting local producers. Little Harvest Market’s Vicky Lee highlighted the market’s reliance on OFT for a diverse selection of locally sourced goods.
However, food expert Sylvain Charlebois cautioned that while the strategy aims to stabilize prices and reduce volatility, expecting a significant drop in prices may be unrealistic due to food inflation. Charlebois stressed the importance of food hubs in increasing market access and competition, ultimately leading to price stabilization and supply chain efficiencies.
Charlebois also raised concerns about the disconnect between supply and demand in food production and processing, urging for a strategic plan to boost food manufacturing in Canada. The expansion and development of food terminals and hubs are seen as vital steps in enhancing the food supply chain and supporting local producers.