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Ottawa Residents Asked to Buy Local and Share Local at Ottawa Farmers' Market This Sunday

OTTAWA, Oct. 9 /CNW/ - The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), The Ottawa Food Bank, and presenting sponsor RBC are taking a fresh approach to food drives at the Ottawa Farmers' Market this Sunday by asking neighbours in Ottawa to buy and share fresh, local food with their local food bank at the market.

"The Buy Local Share Local program aims to provide the hundreds of thousands of Ontarians who are forced to turn to food banks with fresh and healthy foods grown locally by area farmers," said Adam Spence, Executive Director of the OAFB. "We are facing tough times in Ontario, and food banks are struggling to keep up with demand. We need all the help we can get."

RBC will make a $10,000 donation to The Ottawa Food Bank at the Ottawa Farmers' Market. In 2008, RBC provided $65,000 to food banks throughout Northern and Eastern Ontario.

Buy Local Share Local is presented by RBC, with Anna Olson as its ambassador. On her Food Network show, "Fresh with Anna Olson," Anna invites viewers into her Niagara-region home and creates unique meals using her mantra "eat fresh, eat local." Ottawa residents can support the campaign by sharing in person this Sunday at the Ottawa Farmers' Market and dropping off their donation of fresh, local food directly at the OAFB Buy Local Share Local booth.

The Buy Local Share Local tour traveled to over 25 farmers' markets in 15 different cities across Ontario between July and October. The tour stop in Ottawa will be the final destination in the Buy Local Share Local 2009 season. Buy Local Share Local runs in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), Turkey Farmers of Ontario, Homegrown Ontario, and the Ontario Farm Animal Council.

WHO:      Jeff Bean, RBC Olympian
              Adam Spence, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food
              Banks
              Cathy Mock, RBC Regional Vice President, Ottawa West, RBC

    WHAT:     Buy Local Share Local market booth

    WHERE:    Ottawa Farmers' Market (Landsdowne Park)

    WHEN:     8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 11th
              Comments & cheque presentation at 10 am

For more information about Buy Local Share Local, please visit www.buylocalsharelocal.ca.

For further information: Adam Spence, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks, Work: (416) 656-4100, Mobile: (416) 543-0897