MPP Clark thanks local grocery stores for supporting Ontario farmers

June 11, 2025

B&H Your Community Grocer and Kudrinko’s presented with Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards for showcasing and promoting local products

BROCKVILLE — Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes has recognized owners and staff at two outstanding local grocery stores for their commitment to protecting Ontario’s farmers and our food supply chain by promoting local food.

MPP Clark presented store owners Kacee and Martha Kudrinko and staff members Vicki Garrett and Krista Baker-Strickland at Kudrinko’s in Westport with a Gold – Seasonal, and Kemptville’s B&H Your Community Grocer owners Jim and Judy Beveridge, and staff members Laura Mordy and Joey Arcand with a Silver Award of Merit under the Foodland Ontario 2024 Retailer Awards.

“Some of the best local fruits and vegetables in Ontario are grown by hardworking farmers right here in Leeds and Grenville,” said MPP Clark. “Congratulations and thank you to the dedicated teams at Kudrinko’s and B&H for their commitment and dedication to showcase these products and encourage their customers to choose local.”

For more than 35 years, the annual Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards have continued to be the produce industry’s signature opportunity to recognize the creative talent of produce managers and staff who build eye-catching displays that promote Ontario-grown and in-season fruits and vegetables.

“Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Now more than ever, it is important to buy Ontario-grown and made foods to support our local food industry. Most purchase decisions are made in-store. When businesses build creative displays to highlight local products, they are helping drive purchases that support and protect Ontario farms, food businesses and our entire food supply chain.”

This year, Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards are presenting 64 awards that recognize 60 grocery stores across the province for their innovative promotion of fresh Ontario food. This annual program runs between January and November and includes four categories of displays that celebrate excellence in retail display and promotion in support of local Ontario foods.

For almost 50 years, Foodland Ontario has connected with families on how to recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods. Ontario has one of the most diverse agri-food industries in Canada and produces more than 200 commodities, including asparagus, berries, tender fruit, apples, greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. To know when all your local fruits and vegetables are in season, visit Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide.

QUICK FACTS:

• By buying locally grown foods, Ontarians are supporting Ontario’s agriculture and food industry which in turn provides more than 871,000 jobs across the province.
• Ontario celebrates Local Food Week each year by recognizing our hardworking farmers, food businesses, retailers and everyone across the local food supply chain. This year, Local Food Week was June 2-8.