The Benefits Of Buying Direct VS The Ontario Food Terminal

The Benefits of Buying Direct VS The Ontario Food Terminal

In the past week a few things have been brought to my attention, McDonald's has been on a hiring spree across Canada, here. Also the food terminal had what they call a mini strike by employees which held up traffic if nothing else….

This week I would like to look more into the food terminal and talk about the benefits of buying your supplies direct from growers, or from a supplier that does.

About the Ontario Food Terminal
Last week a strike at the Ontario food terminal put a spotlight on an issue this old organization has been facing over the past few years. The food terminal has been around since June 1954. Millions of vehicles past through the food terminal yearly, delivering or leaving with produce destined for stores and restaurants across the GTA. The bulk of the produce sold at the food terminal are consumed by Torontonians making it the main market for establishing produce prices in Toronto.

While some local produce does make it in by way of local Ontario farms the majority of the produce sold is shipped in from much further locations including - Mexico, California and Florida. For more information about the Ontario Food Terminal? Here.

It is my thoughts that with food prices on the rise, especially the cost of produce; it seems that we have become very reliant on a system that favors food which has been flown into Canada rather than food that is locally grown by Ontario growers. The Ontario food terminal has done a great job thus far, but Ontario foodservice operators need a system in place that will provide them with the best quality, locally grown and organic ingredients, yearly.

Problems with buying from the food terminal
Internal Issues, Union Strikes: On the morning of Monday April 18, 2016, a small group of disgruntled employees took to the picket lines and voiced their concerns about the Canadian  institution. According to an article by CBC News, the strike was caused by worker wage disputes which ultimately caused delays in deliveries of up to two hours. Read the rest of the article, here.

Cost: Over the past few months we have seen the Canadian Loonie slide and food costs increase at grocery stores. This is due to many things, but the elephant in the room is our reliance on produce that is shipped into Canada instead of buying direct from local farmers or supporting a supplier that does. Buying your supplies from vendors who buy from the food terminal will become very problematic as there is a higher cost associated with buying food that is shipped in from other places; the more trouble getting you the produce - the more you will pay.

Buying direct from growers
A much more sustainable approach is to buy your supplies direct or from a vendor that does buy direct from growers. Buying direct or from a suppler that does is a much more sustainable method for Canadians and foodservice operators given our current sliding Loonie. The benefits speak for themselves:

Supporting local growers: Each time you choose to buy direct from growers you will be supporting local Ontario farmers and their families.

Better tasting produce & meats: Locally grown and organic produce/meats will taste much fresher than produce that is flown into Canada which is a plus for your customers who will notice the difference.

For more information about BBA’s partnership with local Ontario growers and how we can supply your restaurant, bar or café with fresh locally grown organic produce and meats, here.Until next time your customers want to know why they should spend money at your restaurant, bar or cafe. So give them the goods!

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