FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2019
SIMCOE — Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk, has announced that three companies in the area have received cost-share funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program. These funds will improve their respective operations so they can grow their businesses, boost the province’s economy and bring more safe, high-quality Ontario agri-food products to local and international markets.
“This is good news for our area and I know the recipients are very pleased as this allows them to make meaningful investment in their operations,” said Barrett. “The Ontario government recognizes the contributions agri-business makes to the provincial economy through employment and an offering of the highest quality foods.”
This Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding will support the completion of projects in areas such as food safety, labour productivity and waste reduction.
Local projects supported through this programing include:
- Pristine Gourmet (Waterford): $68,372.50 for value-added processing of Ontario grown Styrian pumpkin seed
- The Norfolk Fruit Growers (Simcoe): $117,303 for implementing robotic tray loading technology in apple packaging
- R. Fiedler Meat Products Ltd (Simcoe): $57,612.35 for food safety improvement through refrigeration system upgrades.
Ontario agri-food businesses will receive more than $6.8 million in cost-share funding to complete more than 100 projects. Businesses receiving the support also share costs on the projects. Factoring in funding coming from the businesses, a joint investment of more than $29 million is the result.
“Our government is committed to making our agricultural and agri-food sector open for business,” said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Investing in these projects will help our farmers succeed while boosting innovation, productivity, and competitiveness for the entire sector.”
Since June 2018, both the federal and provincial governments have committed cost-share support to more than 2,000 projects through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.
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