News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 28, 2011) - BMO Bank of Montreal today encouraged Canadians to support local farm families by choosing locally produced eggs. With the Egg Farmers of Ontario's public information campaign Who Made Your Eggs Today? underway this month, there is a no better time to get "Get Cracking" and also get to know what motivates local farm families, whose hard work and dedication provides Canadians with healthy and nutritious meal options every day.

"Canadians understand the significant contribution our farm families, and the agricultural sector as a whole, make to Canada's economy," said David Rinneard, National Manager, Agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal." At BMO, we are proud to support the Egg Farmers of Ontario as they work to increase public awareness about the contributions local farm families make drawing attention to the outstanding quality, safety and nutritional benefit of Canadian produced food," added Rinneard.

According to a BMO survey commissioned by Leger Marketing, the majority of Canadians (94 per cent) believe it's important to support local farmers and buy local food on a regular basis.

"As professional egg farmers, it is a privilege and joy to produce affordable, high-quality eggs for our families, our communities and our province," said Egg Farmers of Ontario Chair Carolynne Griffith. "Whether you buy your eggs in the grocery store, at farmers' markets or directly at the farm, you are supporting the close to 400 egg farm families across Ontario."

Fast Facts About Locally Produced Eggs

• Farm fresh eggs are sent to stores in 4 – 7 days
• Eggs are a source of high quality protein and contain 14 significant nutrients and minerals -- yet contain only 70 calories
• There are 1,100 egg farmers in Canada
• 500 million dozen eggs are produced in Canada each year (6 billion eggs)
• There is approximately one chicken in the world for every person

BMO's roots in the Canadian agricultural sector date back to 1817, when it first began working with farmers. BMO Bank of Montreal provides customized loan and deposit solutions to Canada's agri-business owners, the single largest core commercial sector that the bank serves.

The survey was completed online from June 27 to 30, 2011, using Leger Marketing's online panel, LegerWeb. A sample of 1576 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, were surveyed.