Your questions. Our stories.

Frontline Food Stories

Read inspirational stories about Ontario’s frontline food workers and the food and beverage processing companies that keep Ontario’s families fed with safe, delicious food.

Going Way Above and Beyond: Nathan Chindemi’s passion for work is inspiring others every day

When we celebrate Ontario’s frontline food heroes, it’s a great way to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that they’ve demonstrated over the course of

Preparing Tomorrow’s Food Safety Experts

For Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many big and sudden changes – everyone has had to adapt quickly

Unflappable Leadership: Macarena Busto is helping keep our food safe

In uncertain times, having someone who can lead calmly and confidently makes all the difference – especially when it comes to ensuring the safe production of food for Ontarians amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Levi de Loryn, , winemaker and frontline food worker.

Meet Levi, winemaker and frontline food worker.

Meet Levi de Loryn – brand winemaker for Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery and a man with a fascinating history making wine around the globe. Native to Australia

From Guyana to Canada. Meet Ramesh, a frontline food worker on the move

More than 13 years ago, Ramesh Persaud arrived in Canada with an accounting degree and the goal of building a life as a Canadian citizen.

Frontline Food Workers at a processing factory

Frontline food workers: The heroes that keep our families fed

When we think about frontline workers, our minds go straight to the heroes of the health sector. But, there are frontline workers in several sectors,

What is a frontline worker?

The people who make our food – working on the production line handling, processing and packaging food and beverages.

There are almost 125,000 individuals employed in the processing sector and the majority are frontline workers.

WHy is it important to support frontline food workers?

Is my food safe?

Yes. Provincial regulations and federal regulations led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have proven Canada to be a global leader in food safety.

What is occupational health and safety?

Laws, standards and programs that make the workplace better employees.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has developed COVID-19 pandemic guidance for higher-risk and essential occupations and industries including food and beverage processing.

Are there jobs available?

Yes. There are a variety of jobs available from production line positions through to sales and marketing, research and innovation, finance and management to name a few.

Will businesses close because of COVID-19?

Yes. Food and beverage processing businesses that are struggling with increased costs such as personal protective equipment or challenged by worker absenteeism may not be sustainable. Other businesses that previously supplied the restaurant industry may not survive.

Who is Food and Beverage Ontario?

Food and Beverage Ontario is the leadership, non-profit organization for Ontario’s food and beverage processing businesses.

Learn more about us

Do I have to worry about access to food?

Canada’s food system is resilient even in the harshest of times. Over 60% of fresh food from Ontario farms is processed followed by transport to grocery stores or restaurants. At times bottlenecks along the supply chain can occur during the COVID-19 outbreak – these are often temporary and resolvable.

Why do frontline food workers need personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Many frontline workers are directly on the food production line which means they are in close proximity to others.

Social distancing is difficult in most food processing facilities so access to personal protective equipment is necessary for the health and safety of workers.

Should I be worried about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in people that work as frontline food workers?

Similar to other workplaces and environments in Ontario, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in food facilities will happen.

Businesses are taking every precaution to protect employees by working closely with public health units and making certain health and safety measures are implemented.

What exactly is the food and beverage processing sector?

This is the middle part of the food supply chain that takes fresh ingredients and transforms them into value-added products like sausages, pizza, cakes, yogurt and pasta. Food and beverages made in the processing sector make their way to grocery stores, restaurants and various institutions like hospitals.

What is the purpose of Frontline Food Facts?

Due to the COVID-19 global epidemic, food and beverage processing businesses and employees have been working under intense pressure. It was time to recognize the incredible dedication of frontline workers and thank the people of Ontario for the continued support.

So when it comes to your food, what do you want to know?