The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy (OFNS), a comprehensive evidence-informed plan for healthy food and food systems in Ontario, was recently launched at a multi-stakeholder event at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Guelph in January of 2017. 

The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy aims to:

• promote holistic health and well-being
• reduce the burden of obesity and chronic diseases on Ontarians and the Ontario healthcare system
• strengthen the Ontario economy and the resilience of our food system

The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy was initiated by the Ontario Collaborative Group for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in 2009, and a dedicated OFNS committee completed its action plan in 2014.

The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy development has been guided by feedback from over 200 individuals and organizations across various sectors, including: 

• Canadian Diabetes Association
• Dietitians of Canada
• Cancer Care Ontario
• Chiefs of Ontario
• Heart & Stroke Foundation
• Ontario Public Health Association
• Ontario Medical Association
• Ryerson University
• University of Guelph
• Toronto Food Policy Council 
• Wilfred Laurier University 
• First Nations & Inuit Health Branch, Ontario region
• and many, many more

A multi-sectoral approach was taken to ensure that the strategy was as evidence-based and informed as possible. 

The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy indentifies clear, specific policy options that can support current initiatives and inform future policy directions at the provincial—for Ontario specifically. The strategy highlights 25 priority action areas, under three strategic directions:

• healthy food access
• food literacy and skills
• healthy food systems

More information about the strategy can be found on Sustain Ontario’s website here.