The Agriculture Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (AWEDI) received $1.5 million in funding to assist minority groups with starting and building agri-food sector businesses.
The funding will allow AWEDI to grant up to $100,000 to support business ventures by primary agricultural producers and food processors from under-represented groups.
This includes Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, people with disabilities, youth, women and members of French linguistic minority communities.
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Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, said in a release the funding dovetails into the Grow Ontario Strategy to “unlock the full potential of the entrepreneurial talent of our diverse communities to strengthen our $51 billion agri-food sector.”
He added that cultivating new talent in the growing agri-food sector drives long-term prosperity and innovation while creating jobs.
AWEDI will accept applications from organizations, research bodies, municipalities or Indigenous communities from Oct. 8 until Dec. 3. Projects must support under-represented groups with better access to financing, business spaces and equipment to grow or process food products.
“Making sure we have greater diversity in the agriculture and agri-food sector helps to create a more competitive, inclusive and resilient food system,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, in the release.
Funding is provided by the Sustainable Canadian Partnership.
