The Ontario government has announced plans to support the province's farmers' markets.

In announcing the aid, Leona Dombrowsky, minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said local farmers' markets create jobs and promote consumer spending in rural Ontario. Supporting the growth of farmers' markets is a wise investment in our rural communities."

The government is investing $270,000 over three years to help strengthen rural communities and help farmers' markets prosper. The announcement Monday was the second installment of $90,000 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the province and Farmers' Markets Ontario.

"Our ongoing partnership with OMAFRA is very important to our success," said Robert Chorney, executive director of Farmers' Markets Ontario.

"It gives us the resources we need to develop education and training programs for market vendors, to develop new farmers' markets and to assist existing operations with their rejuvenation or expansion plans."

Farmers' markets have a significant economic impact on Ontario's rural economy - more than $1.9 billion annually. More than 27,000 people in Ontario are directly involved in preparing and selling products at farmers' markets.

And, with annual sales of more than $645 million, they provide an important economic link between local food suppliers, small processors and consumers.

Farmers' Markets Ontario represents approximately 125 local markets across Ontario, assisting them with startup, vendor education and training and promotion.

"Over the last three years, farmers' markets in Ontario have grown at a rate of more than five per cent a year," said Ms. Dombrowsky, adding: "The

McGuinty government wants to see that growth and success continue."