Canada and Ontario commit up to $5M to bolster small agri-food businesses
In a significant move to enhance the safety and growth of the agri-food industry, the governments of Canada and Ontario have announced a joint investment of up to $5 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). This initiative aims to support small businesses within the agriculture and food sectors by enhancing their food safety systems and stimulating economic growth.
The funding, provided through the Food Safety and Growth Initiative, will be available to eligible food processors, producers, and service providers. It is designed to improve food safety systems, adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards, and provide related training to employees. By addressing these key areas, the initiative will help operators meet market and consumer demands while fostering business growth.
“This investment will help achieve goals laid out in the Grow Ontario Strategy, including strengthening the stability and competitiveness of the province’s agri-food supply chain,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “It is vitally important that our farmers and food processors have access to the latest tools and resources they need to continue to produce their top-quality goods. This investment in technology and equipment upgrades will help folks prevent and quickly address food safety risks and keep their operations on the cutting edge.”
Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting small businesses. “Our government is committed to working with smaller businesses in Ontario’s agriculture and food industry to help them ensure food safety so they can increase sales and expand,” said Flack. “Investments through the Food Safety and Growth Initiative will allow smaller food businesses to improve their operations so they can grow and compete in Ontario and outside our borders.”
Projects eligible for support under this initiative include the development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs, upgrades to food safety or traceability equipment, technology upgrades, assessments by qualified third parties, or the implementation of internationally or nationally recognized food safety programs, such as first-time certification audits. Successful projects can receive 50% of eligible costs in cost-share funding, up to a maximum of $75,000 per project.
Applications for the initiative will open on August 21, 2024, and will be accepted until December 1, 2025, or until the budgeted funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.
The Sustainable CAP represents a comprehensive five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments aimed at strengthening the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and a $2.5-billion commitment cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Chris Conway, CEO of Food and Beverage Ontario, highlighted the importance of this investment for the sector. "Food and beverage processing is the largest manufacturing sector by employment in Ontario and over 90 per cent of the over 4,000 companies in Ontario are small businesses. This announcement supports the sector by improving food safety systems, equipment, standards and training. In turn, this will help food and beverage operators adapt to market and consumer needs as well as grow their businesses."
Kevin Schinkel, president of Meat and Poultry Ontario, also praised the initiative. “We commend the federal and provincial governments for their partnership and support. This investment will build resiliency in our food system by supporting businesses advancing their food safety systems. This is good news for everyone.”
