Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls, in blue sports coat, presents the Foodland Ontario Platinum Award to staff at Zehrs in LaSalle on September 4, 2019. Photo by Paul Pedro, Blackburn News.Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls, in blue sports coat, presents the Foodland Ontario Platinum Award to staff at Zehrs in LaSalle on September 4, 2019. Photo by Paul Pedro, Blackburn News.
Windsor

Local produce departments recognized for local food promotion

A commitment to selling local fruits and vegetables has provided recognition to two local grocery stores.

The produce departments at Zehrs in LaSalle, and the Metro at Central Mall in Windsor were each provided Wednesday with a prestigious Platinum Award from Foodland Ontario. The awards were presented by Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls on behalf of Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Platinum Award is the highest offered with the annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards, where grocery retailers compete across the province to create innovative retail displays that promote produce grown by Ontario farmers. Contests are held seasonally from April to November.

Tony Rivolta, the produce manager for Zehrs in LaSalle, said it has been second nature for the store to support and promote Ontario products.

"We have been supporting Foodland Ontario for the past 15 years or so, and it is great to support Ontario produce and promote it," said Rivolta.

The 2018 series of contests featured over 4,200 entries from across Ontario, accompanied by over 6,000 photos of displays celebrating Foodland Ontario. Rivolta said it was all part of recognizing the work local farmers do to provide quality fruits and vegetables.

"We are not mandated to do it," said Rivolta. "Growers take a lot of time and effort into their crops and their yields, so we want to push and promote Ontario produce as much as possible."

Ontario-grown produce is available year-round depending on the variety. To find out when your favourite locally-grown fruits and vegetables are in season, visit the availability guide at the official Foodland Ontario website.

-With files from Paul Pedro

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