TORONTO — Dufferin County farmers and local food advocates are joining forces to fight a proposed mega quarry slated to be built northwest of Toronto.
On June 28 representatives from both sides of the debate will convene at 6 p.m. at Toronto’s Marben Restaurant to discuss the issue. The quarry project has been proposed by The Highland Companies, which bought approximately 7,500 acres of agricultural land north of Shelburne, Ont. Highland has applied for a licence to dig up a portion of the land to excavate the limestone aquifer beneath the fields, which critics argue will result in the loss of rare and productive farmland and the food it provides.Many Toronto restaurants and foodservice outlets derive products from the Dufferin County area.
Speakers scheduled to take part in the discussion include Carl Cosack, a rancher with Peace Valley Ranch and vice-chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce; Brent Preston, a farmer and municipal councillor of Clearview Township; Paul DeCampo, leader of Slow Food Toronto; and Donna Dooher, executive chef and proprietor of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen.
