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The Williamsons

Fourth-Generation Farm Family Proves Buy Local, Share Local Benefits Everyone

Chris and Al Williamson own and operate a Lambton County farm located halfway between Forest and Grand Bend, Ontario.  This 600-acre farm has been in business for over 105 years and is today home to the fourth generation of Williamson farmers.  

The family raises and sells corn-fed beef cattle and pork directly to the public. They also run a retail outlet on the farm featuring fresh eggs, maple syrup and other maple products, homemade jams and jellies, and vegetables such as fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and pumpkins.

During the growing season, it is all about providing locally produced food from the farm to the consumer’s table which is why the Williamsons are regular vendors at Farmers Markets in both Forest and Grand Bend.

Gwen, the youngest of the Williamson’s three daughters, is a farmer in her own right.  This university of Guelph student operates Gwen’s Garden Produce.  For the past four years she has been growing and selling fresh produce at the Williamson Farm store and at the Forest and Grand Bend Farmers Markets.

“I would really like to see more people buying from a farmer or Farmers Markets,” says Chris Williamson.  “When you purchase local products from a farmer you know how the food is produced, processed, packaged and stored.  In addition, locally grown food helps the environment.”  

Food that travels shorter distances between the producer and the consumer results in fewer ‘food miles’ and less chance that the food will lose its nutritional value and freshness during the journey.  Also less packaging is required to protect the food from damage during transportation.

Selling fresh products at Farmers Markets is only one way the Williamsons are supporting their community and adopting a Buy Local, Share Local philosophy. During the fall and winter months they donate some of their excess products to the food banks in Forest and Sarnia.  

“The food banks have limited cold storage equipment so our food goes into the community very quickly which means freshness and quality are maintained,” says Chris.

Partnering with local farmers like the Williamsons also allows food banks to provide fresh in-season produce which can help families maintain a nutritionally balanced diet.

About 60,000 residents in rural and northern Ontario are served by food banks. Sadly, many of these areas have a higher rate of hunger than urban Ontario centres and the provincial average. For some rural communities, the proportion of the population served by food banks is two to three times that of the rest of Ontario.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks has set a 2008 target of raising 100,000 pounds of fresh, local food for food banks across the province this harvest.  Working with the Williamsons and other farm families will help them get one step closer to reducing hunger in Ontario communities.

The benefits of buying locally grown food are far-reaching. Agriculture is the second largest industry in Ontario and third largest employer. A healthy bottom line for farmers enables them to play an active role in maintaining economically strong communities across the province.  

 “Farmers are committed to ensuring Ontario has a sustainable local food system,” says Geri Kamenz, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.  “The Buy Local, Share Local campaign is an excellent way to raise awareness of the struggles many Ontario families are facing, and our farmers are more than happy to help their local communities, their neighbours and the environment reap the benefits of fresh, locally grown food.”

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