Governments investing in food safety, industry growth in Ontario

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), to help small businesses in the agriculture and food industry enhance their food safety systems and stimulate growth.

Through the Food Safety and Growth Initiative, funding will be provided to eligible food processors, producers and service providers to improve food safety systems, adopt new food safety and traceability equipment, technologies and standards and provide related training to employees. This funding will also enable operators to respond to market and consumer demands and grow their business.

This investment will help smaller businesses build consumer confidence, and enable growth by supporting investments to detect, prevent and mitigate food safety risks and adopt new standards.

“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 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.”

Projects supported through this initiative will include development or improvement of food safety or traceability programs, upgrades to food safety or traceability equipment and technology upgrades, assessments by qualified third-parties, or implementation of internationally or nationally recognized food safety programs, such as first-time certification audits.

Successful projects are eligible to receive 50 per cent of eligible costs, in cost-share funding, up to a maximum of $75,000 per project. Applications for the initiative will be accepted starting August 21, 2024. The application period will remain open until 11:59 pm EST, December 1, 2025, or until the budgeted funds have been fully allocated, whichever comes first.

“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.”