Millions given to small food producers to help train, adapt to changes

The federal and provincial agriculture ministers were at Conestoga College to announce new funding through a partnership to support smaller food produces and processors in Ontario.

The $5 million has been invested through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) to help those producers adopt new food safety systems, adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards and provide training to employees.

Eligible producers can apply to the program which could cover up to 50 per cent of the costs associated with the improvements, up to $75,000 per project.

Speaking at the Craig Richardson Institute of Food Processing Technology, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Robert Flack told 570 NewsRadio this investment will help these small businesses improve on what they already do very well.

“Food traceability, food inspection and food safety. Primary differentiating factor for things grown in Ontario. It’s our unfair advantage in the world. We’re going to do it even better and support our smaller businesses as they grow in that area.”

Flack says the agriculture and agri-food sector supports more jobs than the auto sector in Ontario, so it is vital the industry is supported so it grow and expand to continue to be an economic driver in Ontario.

Applications open August 21.