Ontario’s goat industry is steadily gaining more attention as consumers learn the health benefits of the animal that supplies quality milk, meat and even soap, reports the Toronto Star.

“The goat industry repre­sents one of the largest growth opportunities in Ontario agri­culture today,” Gary Schel­lenberger, a Perth-Wellington MP told the Wellington Advertiser.

The growing popularity of something like goat cheese can be attributed to a number of factors. According to the Star, Jennifer Haley, executive director of the Guelph, Ont-based, suspects our multicultural influences and adventurous palates may be the reason. And, the easy-to-digest milk is also gaining favour among people who are lactose intolerant.

In August, the federal government announced plans to offer more than $700,000 in spending to help Ontario’s goat industry by establishing an integrated dairy goat genetic improvement program to increase milk production and meat quality.

TORONTO — A handful of Toronto food vendors are selling food from refurbished shipping containers outside the city’s Scadding Court Community Centre at what’s being called the Live Local Marketplace.

The Marketplace, which is located in the Dundas and Bathurst area, runs from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday. The food choices range from hot Indian sandwiches to Korean pancakes.

“It has come to light that there’s a whole market in Toronto for different kinds of street food and also food that is accessible and available and not run-of-the-mill,” Kevin Lee, Scadding Court’s executive director told the Toronto Star. “We decided to use underutilized city assets and create opportunities for startups and established businesses.”

BURLINGTON, Ont. — It’s Miracle Treat Day at Dairy Queen, with proceeds from each Blizzard sold at participating locations being donated to the Children’s Miracle Network, which raises money for North American children’s hospitals.

“Every year Canadians blow us away with their support for Miracle Treat Day,” said Denise Hutton, vice-president of Marketing for Dairy Queen Canada.

PICTON, Ont. — Renowned Canadian artist Susan Wallis and food writer and owner of From the Farm Cooking School Cynthia Peters are launching the cookbook The Art of Herbs.

"This book combines the art of cooking with the beauty of art,” said Alexandra Bake, co-owner, Books and Company, of the tome that offers a collection of Wallis’ herb-encaustic paintings (comprised of oil pigment and molten wax) paired with recipes from Peters, a personal chef.