Canada and Ontario Strengthening the Food and Beverage Processing Sector

Toronto, Ontario – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing approximately $4.5 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) to support more than 100 projects that will strengthen the province’s agri-food supply chain by helping food and beverage processors improve their operations, increase their competitive edge and adapt to future challenges.

This investment will not only further secure and strengthen the province’s food supply but will also help food and beverage processors grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the sector and their community. Food and beverage processors can use this funding to develop new products, create marketing campaigns, tap into new markets, improve food safety and strengthen health and safety measures.

Examples of funded projects include:

• Keto Buns Ltd. o/a Unbun Foods will receive up to $75,000 to launch a marketing campaign to expand into the plant-based market to increase sales and build brand recognition/awareness.
• HalalMeals will receive up to $10,000 to purchase and install new x-ray equipment to enhance food safety and provide added assurance to distributors and retailers that carry their products.
• Alstein Farms Inc. will receive up to $50,000 to construct a wash bay facility to sanitize transportation equipment, allowing for safe feed delivery and better sanitation of transportation equipment, which will aid in preventing diseases, pathogens and pests from moving farm-to-farm.

This investment builds on other initiatives and programs that support the food and beverage sector, including:

• A commitment of up to $7 million through the November 2021 intake, in addition to the $7 million investment in the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative for provincially licensed meat processors to help them purchase equipment to increase productivity and efficiency, and prevent slowdowns.
• A $10 million investment in the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program to help provincially licensed meat processors maintain a safe workplace.
• A $22 million provincial investment to increase the adoption of technological innovations within the agri-food sector to enhance the health and safety of workers and improve the sector's efficiency and productivity through the Agri-Tech Innovation Program.
• An investment of almost $1 million to prepare over 600 people across the province for rewarding careers in food and beverage processing.
• Since June 2018, both the federal and provincial governments have committed over $130 million in support to more than 6,000 projects through the Partnership. This funding will help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations to innovate and grow.