As part of the Ontario farm to school challenge webinar, Megan Hunter, Communications and Program Manager with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Greenbelt Fund, demonstrates how schools can use the Ontariofresh.ca Marketplace, a unique business-to-business network that connects local farmers with institutions, to buy more local food from Ontario producers.

1. Introducing Ontariofresh.ca
What will be covering today?
1. What Ontariofresh.ca is and who uses it (you!)
2. The registration process
3. Searching for vendors and suppliers of local Ontario food
4. Using the Marketplace feature
5. News and Resources to support your efforts

2. Introducing Ontariofresh.ca
What is Ontariofresh.ca?
• It’s an online network and marketing service designed to help
Ontario businesses and institutions buy and sell more local
food.
• “Facebook for Local Food” in Ontario
• Make connections
• Build relationships
• Quickly and easily find sources of Ontario food from across the
province
• Farm to School Homepage:
www.ontariofresh.ca/farmtoschool

3. Introducing Ontariofresh.ca
How do I get started?
• Create a member profile for your business or institution!
• Visit www.ontariofresh.ca/farmtoschool
• Click on “F2S Register” on the top navigation panel
• Complete any information that is relevant to your business
• Buying, selling, processing
• Start searching for potential partners!

4. Introducing Ontariofresh.ca
Searching for vendors and suppliers
• Select “Search Businesses” from the top navigation
• Select the type of business you are looking for
• Buyers, sellers or processors
• Select the product and any other relevant filters (i.e. food
safely certifications, certified organic, etc.)
• Take a look at the map and results listings – take a look at
the member profiles your search turned up
• Start connecting with potential partners!

5. Introducing Ontariofresh.ca
Using the Marketplace
• Allows buyers to broadcast requests for products and
sellers to promote offers or products
• You must be logged in to post or reply
• Select “For Sale Posting” or “Wanted Posting” and add any
relevant details
• Targeted email blasts are sent out through the network
every Tuesday morning

6. Introducing Ontariofresh.ca
News and Resources
• Farm to School has many resources available on the website
to assist you in your efforts to source locally
• Take advantage!
Contact:
Megan Hunter
Communications and Program Manager
mhunter@greenbeltfund.ca
416-960-0001 x 315