TORONTO -- The Progressive Conservatives say Ontario could feed more hungry children and adults by giving a tax break to farmers who donate produce to food banks.

They say the tax credit -- which they believe would cost about $750,000 a year -- would fight two problems: hunger and waste.

Tories Bob Bailey and Ernie Hardeman say many farmers have to destroy produce they can't sell, which could be put to better use.

They say the equivalent of about 11 million kilograms of food a year is going to landfills or plowed back into fields.

The Tories say many farmers already give away some of their leftover produce to food banks, but a tax break would provide another incentive.

They want to amend provincial legislation aimed at encouraging growth of markets for local food and are urging Premier Kathleen Wynne -- who also serves as agriculture minister -- to support it.