Ontario to invest up to $25M to boost province’s food processing sector
by CM Staff
Rural, northern and Indigenous businesses will receive an additional five per cent in cost-share funding to boost processing capacity in under serviced areas.
NORTH GOWER — The Ontario government has announced plans to invest up to $24 million to boost the province’s food processing capacity.
Funding is provided through Ontario’s new Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program which will launch on April 1, 2022 according to a statement from the province.
Due to aging processing infrastructure, Ontario’s food sector has faced difficulties in processing food that is grown locally. As the province explained in their public announcement, existing processing plants lack the capacity to expand due to obsolete equipment and insufficient space for new production lines.
The Ontario government said that Agri-food businesses may be eligible to receive up to $3 million in cost-share funding to build completely new facilities or make enhancements to existing infrastructure.
“This strategic investment will boost competitiveness and create new opportunities for the Ontario food processing sector and the entire supply chain,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in a statement.
“By enabling more private-sector investments that increase local food production, we’re ensuring Ontario has a safe and stable food supply made right here at home while driving economic growth and creating good local jobs.”
Additionally, rural, northern and Indigenous businesses will receive an additional five per cent in cost-share funding to boost processing capacity in under serviced areas.
The application intake for the Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund opens on April 1, 2022.
