There are many options for defining “local,” and definitions vary widely depending on the unique geography and climate where a school is located, and on the proximity to an abundance of local food producers. Many schools define local as within a certain number of miles, within the county, or within the province. While the phrase “local procurement” might conjure up images of a grower delivering produce straight to the backdoor of a school cafeteria, local foods does not always travel straight from the field. Although the program mostly buys directly from growers, produce is also purchased from Ontario packers, grower cooperatives, and food hubs. For example:

• A number of apple growing regions exist in Ontario, including Prince Edward, Clarington, and Northumberland Counties, Waterloo Region, Georgian Bay and the Niagara Region. Many smaller orchards sell to the public at an on-farm market or farmers’ market. Orchards also move their products to apple packer hubs where the apples are graded, stored and packed in bags or boxes for sale to the larger retail market.
• The vast majority of Ontario onions and carrots are grown in the Holland Marsh – located 50km north of Toronto. The Holland Marsh is commonly referred to as Ontario’s vegetable patch because of its incredible variety and large amounts of fresh produce. Produce selections range from more traditional crops such as carrots, onions and celery, to more diverse options like romaine lettuce and ethnic vegetables. The ability to grow and harvest these crops result from a combination of dedicated farmers and incredible muck soil. Many of these growers sell directly to grocery chains or at the Ontario Food Terminal. Smaller growers may also send their produce to local packers to be stored, graded, and packed.
• Ontario sweet potatoes grow primarily in Norfolk County .These sub-tropical plants like the warm sandy soil of this region.