Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s (DFO) New Entrant Quota Assistance Program is designed to assist those with an interest in dairy farming who may not otherwise have the financial means or opportunity to get started in the industry.

The P5 makes available 160 kilograms of quota per year for the program in Ontario. Subject to DFO issuing a licence to produce and market milk and approving an order to issue quota, DFO will match 20 kilograms of quota to each successful applicant.

As a result, there are 8 positions available.

For the fifth consecutive year Dairy Farmers of Ontario donates to SickKids and other Ontario children’s hospitals reaching $2.6 million to date.

TORONTO, ONT. (NOV. 16, 2023) – This season, to spread holiday cheer and support communities across Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) will make a donation of $500,000 to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and other Ontario children’s hospitals in Hamilton (McMaster Children’s Hospitals), London (Children’s Hospital) and Ottawa (CHEO). Cumulatively since 2019, DFO will have donated $2.6 million through the Milk & Cookies campaign to initiatives that support patients and families spending the holidays in Ontario children’s hospitals.

To make the magical ritual of milk and cookies for Santa mean even more, this year DFO is creating Magic Milk Glasses that will be given to children spending the holidays at Ontario children’s hospitals. These unique keepsake milk glasses, with a built-in cookie cutter, will feature designs drawn by children from across the province, so the holiday magic can be shared by all this season.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s makes Milk and Cookies mean even more this holiday season through #MagicMilkGlass initiative, supporting SickKids and other Ontario children’s hospitals.

“Dairy Farmers of Ontario is committed to nourishing communities all across Ontario, and every year, we want to demonstrate to children and their families spending the holidays at a hospital that we are thinking of them,” said Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “This year’s Magic Milk Glass initiative goes beyond the donation and ensures each child spending this holiday season in an Ontario children’s hospital is able to experience the special Christmas Eve ritual of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa.”

In the spirit of spreading holiday cheer, Ontarians are invited to get creative and join DFO in showing their support for patients by submitting their own #MagicMilkGlass design. Select designs will be printed on a Magic Milk Glass and distributed to kids spending the holidays at SickKids and other Ontario children’s hospitals.

“All of us at SickKids Foundation greatly appreciate the continued support and partnership from Dairy Farmers of Ontario,” says Jennifer Bernard, President and Chief Executive Officer of the SickKids Foundation. “The holiday season can be a challenging time for many families who are spending it in hospital, and DFO’s commitment will help us continue to support and spread joy to patients during their stay.”

Between November 15 to November 28, submit your own Magic Milk Glass drawing design and make the magical ritual of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa mean even more this season. Share your #MagicMilkGlass design on social using @ontariodairy and using the hashtag.

For more information about Dairy Farmers of Ontario #MagicMilkGlass and how you can share your support for patients at SickKids and other Ontario children’s hospitals, visit www.milk.org. and @ontariodairy.

Download hi-res images here.

About Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is the marketing board for the largest sector of Ontario agriculture. Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in the production and marketing of Canadian milk for a dynamic, profitable growing dairy industry. Ontario’s 3,273 dairy farmers, their families and employees are proud to produce high-quality milk for Canadians. For more information, visit www.milk.org.

About SickKids

Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids – one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions. Thanks to the generosity of the community, SickKids Foundation generated more than $205 million in revenue in support of children’s health for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. Precision health for every child is the future. At SickKids, it’s already begun. Join us at HealTheFuture.ca.

Media Contact
Corissa Miles, Account Manager, Middle Child
corissa.miles@wearemiddlechild.com
705-507-3718

To register for the Annual General Meeting, click here.
To reserve your hotel in advance, please click here.
To download the agenda, DFO-AGM-Daily-Agenda-2024_Finalclick here.

Inquiries can be directed to dfoagm2024@milk.org or directly to Chantel Crockett, DFO’s Manager, Stakeholder Engagement, at 416-320-9885.

To reserve a hotel room in advance, click here.

Inquiries can be directed to Chantel Crockett, DFO’s Manager, Stakeholder Engagement,
at 416-320-9885 or chantel.crockett@milk.org0.

More details to come!

The National Basketball Association (NBA), Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and the City of Toronto today unveiled the newly restored Don Mount Court (DMC) in Toronto’s downtown community of Rivertowne, marking the first official Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)-themed court in Canada. The court design – which features the iconic logos of the WNBA and DFO’s youth lifestyle brand MilkUP – was created by local Toronto illustrator Fiorella Granda to celebrate women’s basketball in Canada and around the world.

“DFO is committed to supporting local communities across Ontario through MilkUP, our youth lifestyle brand, and together with the NBA we have proudly created the first WNBA-themed outdoor court in the country,” said Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer at DFO. “We hope the Riverdale neighbourhood and all communities are able to enjoy the court that visually celebrates women’s basketball and provides an inclusive space for young girls who want to learn and play the game.”

“The amazing upgrade to this popular basketball court provides an exciting new space for Rivertowne community youth and others to enjoy playing the game while encouraging young girls and women to join the game and to be proud of their ongoing contributions to the sport,” City of Toronto Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth).

To celebrate the collaboration and court unveiling, the non-profit organization Buckets & Borders hosted an immersive event for fans that featured a basketball clinic for youth in the community, fun activations, live music from a local DJ, and a basketball competition featuring Hoop Queens, a network for Canadian female basketball players. The event builds on MilkUP’s efforts to bring unique community-driven experiences to local neighbourhoods across Ontario to empower youth on and off the court, while highlighting dairy’s nutritional benefits.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better reception to the first WNBA game in Canada from local fans, partners and the larger basketball community and we’re thrilled to team up with the Dairy Farmers of Ontario on this legacy project in celebration of women’s basketball in the country,” said Leah MacNab, Sr. VP, NBA Canada. “This court symbolizes the passion and enthusiasm for basketball across Canada and we can’t wait to see Rivertowne’s community members utilize this court for years to come.”

The first WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine featuring the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx was held on May 13, 2023, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto in front of nearly 20,000 fans. The first WNBA game ever held in Canada set league records for attendance, viewership and merchandise sales. Nineteen marketing partners from across Canada, including DFO, supported the game through fan activations, digital marketing, out of home assets, TV commercials, ticket giveaways, merchandise and community clinics.