The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing over $7 million in approved projects through the Grow Ontario Market Initiative.
The initiative helps Ontario agriculture and food businesses to increase their sales in domestic and foreign markets.
The five-year, $12 million initiative was launched last year through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and is still open and accepting applications.
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The Grow Ontario Market Initiative supports primary producers, food processors and industry organizations with cost-share funding to help them undertake market analysis and planning, new product development and marketing.
Some examples of projects approved for funding in the initiative’s first year include:
- Superior Bakes Inc. of Thunder Bay which will use the funding to conduct a shelf-life study and market their line of products to domestic markets.
- The Ontario Sheep Farmers will develop marketing research services to promote meat products to Ontario consumers.
- Advantage Health Matters Inc. of Toronto is marketing their existing products and increasing their exports to a new market in the United Kingdom.
Applicants can receive up to 50 per cent cost share for eligible costs, to a maximum of $60,000 per business for producers and food and beverage processors, and up to $125,000 for sector organizations.
