As the title of this article suggests, if you need funding to enhance food safety and traceability on your small farm, a recent government funding initiative may help.
The governments of Canada and Ontario commit $5 million to support small agri-food businesses. This investment, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), aims to enhance food safety systems and promote business growth.
The Food Safety and Growth Initiative offers funding to food processors, producers, and service providers.
This support helps them adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies, and standards, and provide related training to employees. The goal is to respond to market demands and help businesses grow.
The initiative aligns with the Grow Ontario Strategy, aiming to strengthen the stability and competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food supply chain. It will help smaller businesses build consumer confidence and support investments to detect, prevent, and mitigate food safety risks.
“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,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “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.”
“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 Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “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 include developing or improving food safety or traceability programs, upgrading equipment and technology, and achieving certification audits.
Successful projects can receive up to $75,000 per project. Applications open on August 21, 2024, and close on December 1, 2025, or when funds are fully allocated.
Chris Conway, the CEO of Food and Beverage Ontario, highlights that the food and beverage processing sector is the primary source of manufacturing jobs in Ontario, comprising mainly small businesses.
He notes that the recent funding announcement is geared towards enhancing food safety protocols, equipment, and training standards within this sector.
This enhancement is expected to better equip these businesses to meet the evolving demands of the market and consumers, thereby supporting their growth and adaptation in a competitive environment.