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The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) created a website called “Six by Sixteen” that aims to ensure the next generation knows how to make healthy, nutritious food choices. Six by Sixteen hopes to ensure food literacy in young people as they learn to plan and prepare six nutritious, locally sourced meals by the time they reach sixteen years of age. Their website features cooking lessons, resources to find local food sources, and education on how to make healthy food choices.

The OFA wants to see how the youth in your life utilize their cooking skills. Please like and share the website, and encourage youth to share their pictures of cooking with the OFA by emailing kaylee.coverdale@ofa.on.ca 

For more information on the initiative, click here to visit the new website.

In response to the 2020 crop season being impacted by COVID-19 labour shortage, a new initiative called “Help Canada Grow” aims to help connect capable labourers with farms in need of workers. The website’s goal is to facilitate networking throughout the Canadian food industry and hopefully avoid the pending food shortage crisis. There are two areas of the website, one for individuals who want to help, and one for farmers to share that they are in need of help.

If you or someone you know is interested, there are many farms hiring immediately, and the process does not require a resume, only a full commitment. Click here for more details or to apply.

Steve Paikin of “The Agenda” speaks with Dusty Zamecnik (EZ Grow Farms), Keith Currie (president of Ontario Federation of Agriculture), and Crystal Mackay (CEO of Loft 32) about COVID-19’s impacts on the Agri-Sector. Dusty discusses his biggest concerns are ensuring products can be produced for the shelf in July, and having enough staff to complete the work on time. Crystal acknowledges that most farmers hold an optimistic outlook, yet there is still a lot up in the air regarding livestock numbers and planting the same crops. For example, Keith has altogether decided not to plant flowers due to the economic situation many consumers find themselves in. The 30-minute interview covers topics such as: How are farmers being affected by pandemic regulations?, What are their predictions for the upcoming year?, and what other trends they are noticing during COVID-19.

The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce will be holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) next Wednesday, May 13th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. During the AGM, reports from the past and incoming chair will be shared, Annette Little will present the 2019 financials, new directors and executive committee members will be elected, and retiring directors will be honoured. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to all members.

To register, click here.

On Thursday, May 7th at 2:00 pm, The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce will be hosting another FREE webinar series. This week’s focus is on helping team members engage and be productive while working from home. Jodi Zigelstein-Yip, of Enliven HR Consulting Inc will be joining this talk to provide her expertise on the conversation and will focus on topics such as, engaging team members and clients virtually, determining how to manage productivity remotely, and realizing the opportunities for team members to create and develop themselves during this time.

To register, click here.

Last week, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) launched a report for assessing the landscape for Ontario’s economic recovery following the pandemic. The report covers the hardships current businesses are experiencing, risks the current economy faces from now through the Summer months, and the importance of support from each level of government. 

In addition to this report, the OCC has created a Chamber Network Toolkit, that includes an overview, social media posts and graphics, key messaging, policy briefing, and more. This toolkit is intended to help inform relief and recovery efforts. These resources are the first in a series of policy briefings meant to help the transition into the post-pandemic economic situation.

To view the full report, click here (PDF).

To view the toolkit, click here.

The International Chamber of Commerce launched a website titled: “SOS: Save Our SMEs”. While businesses everywhere are feeling the hardships of COVID-19, the ICC understands that micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises are hit the hardest. These SMEs are the backbone of both global and local economies and without help from the private sector, institutions, and governments, these businesses may not make it. 

The SOS website provides a call to action for Governments and Corporations through fiscal, trade, policy, stakeholder capitalism, and supplier and distribution assistance.The site has plenty of resources, from podcasts to reports, and support via funding opportunities or free services that SMEs can utilize during this time.

To explore this website, click here.

In this 5 minute video, Trevin Stratton, Chief Economist & Vice President, Policy & Advocacy for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, discusses the anatomy of economic downturns. Many individuals are comparing this downturn with past ones, such as the Great Depression or the 2008 recession. Fiscal crises, credit crises, currency crises, hyperinflation have all occurred over the years – however our current situation stems from an international health pandemic that naturally reverberates throughout the world’s economic system.

Across all economic downturns, however, there is an incredible amount of uncertainty. It is unclear how this will pan out, because a lot of answers rely on the timing and strength of the pandemic. Looking at the numbers and predictions, 2 million workers are reporting less hours or none at all. The Bank of Canada expects to see a growth decline of 15% to 30%, and the global output is expected to decline by 3%. General rebounds are also expected in 2021. Regarding recovery, it means Canada will need to figure out a way to ramp up the supply and demand by getting people back to work as soon and as safely as possible, restoring and maintaining supply chains.

Everyone’s routine has been impacted dramatically, whether that is primarily from the closure of recreational fitness centres, walking throughout the office, or even your commute to and from work. In addition to these disruptions, it is more important now to keep our immune systems healthy and strong when facing a pandemic. 

To help you adjust, the WSPS has shared seven ways to keep your mental and physical health in check while working from home: 

1. Get up and move as much as possible, ideally aiming for 5 to 10 minutes per hour. 
2. Utilize home equipment, such as bikes, treadmills, or light weights you’ve had laying around.
3. Get creative with your fitness routines. Find objects that can be used as weights or for resistance exercises. When in doubt, use your own bodyweight for workouts. 
4. Take advantage of technology. Set a timer to remind you to get up and move. Utilize the internet to find fitness classes or workout routines that best fit your comfort zone. 
5. Get outside and enjoy the outdoors wherever you can! 
6. Yoga and meditation can go a long way for your mental and physical health. Look up online sequences or see if any local studios are doing live classes.
7. Challenge friends and coworkers for some extra motivation!

For the full article by the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services click here.