New federal, provincial funding will strengthen small food producers, say ministers

The provincial and federal government are investing up to $5 million to help stimulate growth in the local food industry.

The money is coming from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, afive-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agricultural sector.

The federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, Lawrence MacAulay, and the provincial minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness, Rob Flack, were both at Conestoga College's Fountain Street campus in Cambridge, Ont., to make the joint announcement on Wednesday.

Their goal is to support businesses looking to reduce food safety risks and adopt new standards.

Flack said the funding is important for the growing agricultural industry in Waterloo region.

"We produce more food now than we ever have and our processing sector in Ontario is even bigger," he said. "Food and beverage is even bigger than the auto sector. So we have to create the environment for these businesses to succeed."

Small food businesses looking to expand their operations can beginapplying for a piece of the funding starting Aug.21. Successful projects will receive 50 per cent of eligible costs covered, up to a maximum of $75,000 per project. The deadline to apply is December 2025.

MacAulay said it's important to make sure farmers and food processors have access to the latest resources to compete.

"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," he said in a press release.