2nd Annual Food Day in Elora

Ted Arnott attended the 2nd Annual Food Day in Elora, held July 31, 2010. He made the following remarks:

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

My wife Lisa and I are glad to be here with you today, and I want to thank you for the kind invitation to the 2nd Annual “Food Day” Community Barbeque.

First of all, I want to thank everyone who had a hand in organizing this event. Your time and hard work are appreciated by all of us.

Lionel Bart’s hit musical “Oliver” begins with its famous overture:

“Food, glorious food!”

And don’t worry, I’m not about to sing it….

Still, in three words, it captures the spirit of what we celebrate today.

When we count our blessings in this Province, high on the list must be the overflowing abundance of affordable food. The variety, the quality and the quantity of nutritious food which is readily available at the farm gate and in our stores, is absolutely remarkable, especially when compared to most other places around the world.

And as we acknowledge bounty, we must also acknowledge its origin: our farms and food processors.

Wellington County’s farms and farm families make us one of Ontario’s most significant agricultural areas. We’re lucky, because, the very best food is the food produced closest to home-local food.

And we’re very proud of internationally known “culinary activist,” food writer and Elora resident Anita Stewart.

Anita’s books articles and work on the CBC have made an enormous contribution to the recognition of our unique and delicious Canadian cuisine.

She is the founder of Food Day, a coast-to-coast, national celebration of restaurateurs, suppliers, growers, farmers and citizens, which is why we are here today. Thanks Anita!

And again, we think of our farm families, who continue to need the attention and support of all orders of government.

We remain steadfast in our support of supply management. And I continue to advocate for the ideas expressed by the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition, which represents general farm organizations and commodity groups.

We know that there is a need for revised business risk management programs to sustain Ontario’s farming and food industry. We will continue to push for this, and we do so with confidence, for we also know that when rural Ontario speaks with one united voice, governments must listen.

So enjoy your dinner, and always remember that Wellington County farm families are the founders of the feast!

Thank you very much.