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 and established by Morton’s father-in-law almost fifty years ago, has always operated solely at the food terminal, according to Morton.
Describing food terminals as wholesale marketplaces where fresh produce is traded in bulk, the OFT distributes nearly two billion pounds of fruits and vegetables yearly across Canada. The recent development involves an expansion plan following the launch of Canada’s inaugural National Food Security Strategy in June. Prime Minister Mark Carney disclosed a government investment exceeding $3 billion over a decade to boost food production in Canada and enhance affordability.
The strategy outlines a $1 billion commitment to foster more choice and competition, including the establishment of the Food Link Fund to support food terminals and hubs. The initiative aims to expand the OFT by year-end, introduce two new food terminals, and create or expand ten smaller food hubs by 2028.
Ontario growers anticipate improved food affordability resulting from the national food strategy, expressing hope for reduced grocery prices. Morton emphasized the significance of the OFT as a crucial business resource benefiting various Toronto enterprises. Raymond Den Boer, president of Den Boer Farms, highlighted the potential benefits of an expanded terminal, such as prolonged product freshness and enhanced customer experience.
Vicky Lee from Little Harvest Market, a regular buyer from OFT, praised the accessibility of locally sourced goods at the terminal, emphasizing the variety and quality of produce available. Lee anticipates that an expanded terminal will introduce new suppliers, diversifying offerings and fostering competitive pricing.
Despite optimism from growers and buyers, food expert Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab cautioned that the strategy might stabilize prices rather than significantly reduce overall food costs. Charlebois stressed the importance of food hubs and terminals in enhancing market access and fostering competition to stabilize prices and improve supply chain efficiency.
While acknowledging the positive impacts of the strategy, Charlebois emphasized the need for proactive measures to align food production with consumer demand and address the declining trend in food manufacturing in Canada.
