Canada and Ontario are joining forces to invest $22 million in agrifood businesses across Ontario.
This funding comes through Ontario’s Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative, which aims to help 130 farmers and processors in the region sell more locally produced goods globally.
Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Sam Oosterhoff visited Martin’s Family Fruit Farm in Waterloo on Tuesday morning to share the news.
“This gives producers, farmers an opportunity to market more to Canadians… and yes, new markets whether it’s the [European Union], whether it’s Asian emerging markets, whether it’s South American markets,” Oosterhoff told following the announcement.
“We know how important our trade reliance and conversation with the United States maintains as an important market for farmers and producers, but we need to also grow so that we can be more self-reliant on our own production.”
The investment is expected to generate 925 jobs throughout the province.
Domenique Mastronardi is president and partner at Beck’s Broth, a Kitchener-based business that infuses beef bone broth into everyday drinks like coffee, hot chocolate, and matcha. Her business will receive $70,000 from the initiative. (John Dalusong/CBC)
Domenique Mastronardi is president and partner at Beck’s Broth. This Kitchener business adds beef bone broth into common beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, and matcha.
Mastronardi’s company will get $70,000 from this funding initiative. This support will allow her team to hire two new employees for marketing and demonstrations.
“When you tell someone you put bone broth in hot chocolate, you definitely get some funny looks,” she said. “That opportunity to try is a job for a fellow person living around here.”
“This funding gives us more room to reach new customers and those target regions like Western Canada.”
A signage leading to Martin’s Family Fruit Farm’s orchard market in Waterloo. The long-time family business will receive $499,000 from the investment, which will be used to develop a new packaging line for apple sauce. (John Dalusong/CBC)
Martin’s Family Fruit Farm based in Waterloo plans to use its $499,000 allocation from this funding for creating an “innovative packaging line for apple sauce.”
“While we feel we’re making an important contribution to Canada’s food security strategy, we’re also opening up foreign markets to products that are conceived, developed and produced right here at home,” said Kevin Martin, president and CEO of the long-time Waterloo family business.
Besides Beck’s Broth and Martin’s Family Fruit Farm, five other local businesses will benefit from a total of $1.4 million in funding including:
Heidelberg Foods Ltd., St. Jacobs. Nith River Milling Inc., Wellesley. National Pasta, Cambridge. Four All Ice Cream, Waterloo. VMAT Restaurant Inc., Waterloo.
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