April 19, 2007 – To ensure that food sold at farmers’ markets across Ontario is safe for the public, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Farmer’s Market Ontario are announcing the release of Food Safety Matters. This kit was developed in partnership with the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education, the Association of Supervisors of Public Health Inspectors of Ontario and numerous other public health and community stakeholders. 
 
Kim Ozeroff, Public Health Inspector with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit who will be presenting the information stated, “The kit will help farmers’ market vendors and managers to ensure that the food is handled safely and to prevent food borne illness. I welcome this proactive approach.”

“We are pleased to see that over 85 vendors from the area will attend the Food Safety Matters supper workshop. It demonstrates a very strong commitment from our members from the Thunder Bay Country Market and the Thunder Bay Farmers’ Market,” confirmed Lynne Brown, Northern Director for Farmers’ Markets Ontario. “Thanks to the collaboration of knowledgeable consumer advocates, public health professionals and farmers’ market food vendors, Ontarians are fortunate to enjoy safe and delicious food available at farmers’ markets all across the province.”

To support its commitment to marketing wholesome, locally grown foods which are safe to consume, Farmers’ Market Ontario is underwriting costs associated with the Food Safety Matters workshops. Similar educational sessions are being held across the province for the next few weeks to ensure all farmers selling baked goods, preserved foods, produce and other farm products receive the same information at the same time.

The Food Safety Matters educational meeting will be held in Thunder Bay at the Westfort Prosvita on April 23, 2007.

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