Happy Local Food Week...almost! Farm & Food Care Ontario is again pleased to be partnering with the Ontario government, farm groups and food enthusiasts across the province to celebrate the third annual Local Food Week starting next Monday, June 6. It's a great opportunity for everyone passionate about food and farming to come together to celebrate and promote the good things that are grown, made, harvested and processed right here in our province.

There are many activities and events being planned by individuals and organizations across the province next week. Here's how you can get involved:

• include #loveONTfood in all your Tweets, Instagram and Facebook posts and other social media sharing. Download twitter buttons and ribbons at www.loveONTfood.ca and show your love online.
• Do you, or anyone you know, have a road sign or counter space for signs? Tell those visiting and driving by to "Celebrate local food" or wish them a "Happy Local Food Week".
• Sign up for Foodland Ontario's Local Food Week twitter party next Wednesday night, June 8 from 8 to 9 p.m.
• Enter Farm & Food Care's Local Food Week social media contest by pairing #loveONTfood with your favourite farm and food posts.
• Let your clubs, organizations, co-workers, friends and family know it's Local Food Week - why not consider hosting a barbecue or a company luncheon? Then go to the website and tell us what you've done. All entries will be entered in a contest for a local food week prize pack. http://www.loveontfood.ca/show-your-love/

There are a few tickets remaining for next Saturday's Breakfast on the Farm event in Woodstock at Veldale Farms. A free breakfast will be served to the first 2,000 attendees - but preregistration is required. Visit the link below to reserve tickets.

Leslie Ballentine, longtime executive director of the Ontario Farm Animal Council, (a predecessor organization to Farm & Food Care) passed away suddenly last weekend. Leslie helped to form OFAC in 1988 and was with the organization in a fulltime capacity until 2004, continuing in a consultant role after that date.  Before joining OFAC, Leslie was the Communications Officer for the Ontario Egg Producers' Marketing Board and worked for both the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. Over the course of the last 30 years, Leslie became recognized as an expert on animal use controversies, specializing in the animal rights and animal welfare movements. She provided expertise to farm organizations across Canada.