Ottawa -- It took the heart of eastern Ontario to launch a creative grassroots protest that plugged Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill with 380 tractors.

A week later dozens of farmers in tractors blocked the delivery entrance to three food distribution terminals in Ottawa's east end over three days. Tractors later circled the roundabout at 24 Sussex Drive, home to Prime Minster Stephen Harper. 

Area farmers also blocked traffic at two fuel distribution terminals and the entrance to The Ottawa Citizen newspaper office. 

"I never believed that in the 38 years I've been farming we'd have to do this," said Winchester crop farmer Dave Bryant, as he directed traffic at a food terminal. "I've never seen something like this. It's called survival."