LINCOLN – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $8 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help apple, tender fruit, and wine grape producers grow popular varieties of produce.
The initial apple and tender fruit intake of the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative will provide eligible producers with cost-shared funding to purchase new plants that will create new opportunities for their business. The wine grape intake will provide producers with access to the same cost-share funding. The replanted stock will yield varieties of produce that better meet market demand, increase yield hardiness, and improve resistance against pests and diseases.
"Tender fruit, apple, and wine grape producers are a vital part of Canada’s agricultural industry,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This funding will help the sector stay competitive while providing Canadians with access to locally grown, healthy, and delicious fruit.”
“We’re making sure the agri-food sector in Ontario realizes its incredible potential by ensuring product supply aligns with consumer demand,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. “This initiative will support our fruit growers as they produce more grape, apple, and tender fruit varieties that are widely sought after both domestically and internationally.”