Local Food Act, 2013

1 The purposes of this Act are as follows: 1. To foster successful and resilient local food economies and systems throughout Ontario. 2. To increase awareness of local food in Ontario, including the diversity of local food. 3. To encourage the development of new markets for local food. 2013, c. 7, s. 1.

2 In this Act, “agency of the Government of Ontario” means a public body designated in regulations made under the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006; (“organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario”) “hospital” means, (a) a hospital within the meaning of the Public Hospitals Act, (b) a private hospital within the meaning of the Private Hospitals Act that received public funds in the previous fiscal year of the Government of Ontario, and (c) the University of Ottawa Heart Institute/Institut de cardiologie de l’Université d’Ottawa; (“hôpital”) “local food” means, (a) food produced or harvested in Ontario, including forest or freshwater food, and (b) subject to any limitations in the regulations, food and beverages made in Ontario if they include ingredients produced or harvested in Ontario; (“aliments locaux”) “Minister” means, unless the context requires otherwise, the Minister of Agriculture a…

3 The week beginning on the first Monday in June in each year is proclaimed as Local Food Week. 2013, c. 7, s. 3.

4 (1) The Minister shall, to further the purposes of the Act, establish goals or targets to aspire to in the following areas: 1. Improving food literacy in respect of local food. 2. Encouraging increased use of local food by public sector organizations. 3. Increasing access to local food. 2013, c. 7, s. 4 (1). Timing (2) Each goal or target shall be established within one year after the day the relevant paragraph in subsection (1) comes into force. 2013, c. 7, s. 4 (2). Additional goals (3) The Minister may, to further the purposes of the Act, establish additional goals or targets to aspire to in respect of local food. 2013, c. 7, s. 4 (3). Consultation (4) Before establishing or amending a goal or target, the Minister shall consult organizations that, in the Minister’s opinion, have an interest in the goal or target. 2013, c. 7, s. 4 (4). Scope (5) A goal or target may be general or par…

5 (1) The Minister may direct a public sector organization to provide the Minister with specified information in order to assist the Minister in, (a) establishing a goal or target or determining the actions required to meet a goal or target; (b) understanding the steps that are being taken or have been taken to meet a goal or target; (c) assessing the progress that is being made or has been made toward meeting a goal or target; or (d) preparing a report under section 6. 2013, c. 7, s. 5 (1). Public sector organization to provide information (2) If the Minister directs a public sector organization to provide information, the public sector organization shall provide the information on or before the deadline specified by the Minister in the direction. 2013, c. 7, s. 5 (2).

6 (1) The Minister shall prepare an annual report that, (a) summarizes the government’s activities in respect of local food; (b) describes the local food goals or targets that have been established under the Act; (c) summarizes the steps that have been taken and the progress that has been made by public sector organizations in respect of goals or targets; and (d) includes such other information as the Minister determines. 2013, c. 7, s. 6 (1). Publication (2) The Minister shall publish the report on a Government of Ontario website. 2013, c. 7, s. 6 (2).

7 The Minister may make regulations, (a) limiting what constitutes local food under clause (b) of the definition of “local food” in section 2; (b) prescribing organizations for the purposes of the definition of “public sector organization” in section 2. 2013, c. 7, s. 7.

8 Omitted (amends other legislation). 2013, c. 7, s. 8.

9 Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Act). 2013, c. 7, s. 9.

10 Omitted (enacts short title of this Act). 2013, c. 7, s. 10. ______________