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Shopping for local Ontario grains

Buying local is an important priority for many of us, both for sustainability and to support our community. Grains are an essential part of our diets, offering important health and wellness benefits which make them essential staples. If you’re looking to make choices that are both nutritious and support Ontario grain farmers, here are a few simple tips to help you shop with confidence.

Tip #1: Swap for Ontario grains

To make the swap to Ontario grains, it’s important to first understand which are grown in Ontario. There are five commonly grown whole grains that are grown in the province: barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat. Many of these grains can be found in common staples like flour, rolled and quick oats, vegetable oils, pearled or flaked barley, corn starches and sweeteners.

To eat more Ontario-grown grains, try simple swaps such as:

Making just a few small changes can help keep your meals both local and nourishing.

Tip #2: Look for labels

 How else can you make sure you are buying local Ontario grains? Labels can be a useful tool to identify products of Ontario. For companies to use one of these labels on their packaging, there are specific criteria that must be met such as the percentage of ingredients sourced in Ontario, and some even require the product is processed in Ontario. Labels can be an indicator for products that support our local economy. Keep an eye out for:

The Foodland Ontario Logo: The well-known Foodland Ontario label indicates that a food product has ingredients of Ontario origin and was produced in Ontario. This logos used by over 1,700 food businesses, and can be commonly seen on products at local food markets or specialty retail stores. Foodland Ontario even has a useful map to help connect you with local producers.

The Ontario Made label: is used for goods produced in Ontario. Look for the maple-leaf logo on both food and household products made with Ontario grains, like soy-based candles.

Look for origin claims: While these aren’t specific and easily identified labels, some products have origin claims such as “Made in Ontario”, “Product of Canada “or “Made in Canada with Canadian ingredients“, often with a maple leaf, alongside qualifying statements (e.g., “Made in Canada from 100% Canadian wheat”) These voluntary statements can also help you understand where your food was grown or processed.

Tip #3: Get to know your local grain farmers

One of the great advantages of grains is their excellent shelf life. Because they store so well, Ontario grains are available year-round in many different places:

  • Fresh baked good found at farmers’ markets, including winter markets
  • Local mills for flour and whole grains
  • Bakeries and breweries that source from Ontario grains
  • Direct-from-farm sales through websites or online marketplaces
  • See our article for some examples of companies who produce local grain products: Why local tastes better: Ontario grains in food & drink

Digital tools, including modern search engines and AI assistants, have made it easier than ever to discover producers near you and uncover local gems you may have never heard of.

Remember, it’s never a bad time to try something new. Open yourself up to the vast possibilities of Ontario grains with our recipes, all the while supporting local grain farmers.

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