Partner Perspectives: Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA)

The interns were grateful for the opportunity to meet with Benjamin Murray of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), an esteemed Partner of OLIP. As an umbrella organization representing commercial fruit and vegetable growers across Ontario, OFVGA advocates on behalf of a wide range of commodity groups, including apple and grape growers, on key policy issues affecting the sector. 

During the meeting, we learned about OFVGA’s government relations work, which takes place primarily at the provincial level, with some engagement at the federal and municipal levels. The discussion highlighted major challenges facing growers, including rising input costs such as diesel and fertilizer, supply chain instability, and the impact of climate change on growing seasons. We also discussed the need for stronger safety nets, including business risk management programs that help producers manage financial uncertainty. 

Labour was another central topic. Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector relies heavily on seasonal agricultural workers, many of whom arrive from countries such as Mexico, Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, as well as through temporary foreign worker programs. The conversation also touched on challenges related to worker housing on farms, including differing municipal regulations that can complicate construction and approvals. 

Additional issues included access to crop protection tools, food waste related to cosmetic standards for produce, and the importance of engaging urban policymakers in understanding agriculture. We also discussed the significance of exports to the United States and the value of buying local. 

We would like to sincerely thank Benjamin Murray for generously sharing his time and expertise in such an informative and engaging discussion. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the importance of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector and the complex policy landscape in which growers operate. We are also grateful to the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association for being a valued partner of the OLIP programme.