MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. are pleased to announce the launch of the 2019 Ontario Milk Calendar demonstration and promotional program, which will take place at the Leaside Longo’s store location on Friday, Nov. 30.
The 2019 Ontario Milk Calendar is produced by DFO and distributed across all English-speaking provinces. The intent is to remind Canadians that when they purchase Canadian dairy, they are receiving milk that has been made by real farm families who are dedicated to producing high-quality products.
This is the first year DFO and Longo’s have partnered on the calendar initiative. Longo’s is committed to providing families access to healthy food choices and believes food is a conduit to bringing people together, making this partnership a natural extension of well-aligned mutual commitments between the two organizations.
“We're excited about this partnership with Longo's,” says Sean Bredt, DFO’s chief marketing and business development officer. “Using the expertise from Longo's and its 33 stores in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, we will connect with consumers and inspire them to put more dairy on the dinner table through Milk Calendar recipes.”
This year’s Milk Calendar consists of recipes selected from a national contest. Both home and professional chefs from across Canada submitted recipes, which had to meet the criteria set by DFO, including creativity, accessibility and sustainability. The 14 winning recipes were selected and tested by the Milk Test Kitchen team led by Emily Richards, Canadian professional home economist. The winning 2019 recipe is the cheesy scalloped potato gnocchi, which will be featured on the calendar’s opening month and was submitted by Tracy Gibbons, a home chef from Chatham, Ont.
“Families are always looking for ways to revitalize their dinner routine,” says Anthony Longo, president and chief executive officer of Longo’s. “The Ontario Milk Calendar offers them inspiration for dinner ideas and gives food explorers something new to try that represents Canadian culinary creations.”
The official launch of the 2019 Milk Calendar demonstration and promotional program will take place on Friday, Nov. 30 at the Leaside Longo’s store, located at 93 Laird Dr., Toronto, Ont., at 2:30 p.m. Longo will join Ralph Dietrich, DFO’s board chair, to greet customers and share samples of a Milk Calendar recipe.
Featuring 14 winning recipes and submitted by real home and professional Canadian chefs, the 2019 Milk Calendar is available at participating Longo’s stores or online at www.dairyontario.ca.
About Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Dairy Farmers of Ontario is the marketing group for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. It is proudly owned and operated by Ontario farm families.
About Longo’s
Tommy, Joe and Gus Longo opened the first Longo’s store in 1956. Longo’s is owned and operated by the second and now third generation of family members and today boasts 33 stores including 5 small format “The Market” by Longo’s, and Grocery Gateway, the leader in online sales of home delivered groceries. Inspired by the first generation and their commitment to high family standards, the Longo’s team of food experts are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by offering the best food experience to every customer, every time by providing authentic value, genuine hospitality, uncompromising quality, inspiration and guidance and community care.
To request an interview, information on timing of events or photos from the event, please contact:
Robert Koss
Director, consumer promotions
Longo’s
Rob.koss@longos.com
416-271-8337
Laural Adams, communications manager
Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Laural.Adams@milk.org
Mobile: 647-462-5559