Top Resources for Managing Your Agri-Business 

Managing the day-to-day operations of a food processing business can be demanding and time-consuming. To help streamline your efforts and keep your business running smoothly, it’s important to stay informed and leverage available resources. Below, we explore the top sources of information and support to help you manage your food processing business effectively: 

Research Centres 

Research centres across Canada offer support for innovative projects in agriculture and food processing. Key centres include: 

• London Research and Development Centre: Focuses on crop protection, including genomics, bioproducts, and soil and water quality. 
• Ottawa Research and Development Centre: Supports crop development in Eastern Canada, with national work on biodiversity and environmental effects of agricultural practices. 
• Harrow Research and Development Centre: Specializes in greenhouse vegetable production and environmentally sustainable agro-ecosystems. 
• Guelph Food Research Centre: Dedicated to food safety and quality, exploring nutritional and therapeutic benefits of food, and mitigating food safety risks. 

Food Safety Training 

Ensuring your team is well-trained in food safety is essential for success. Here are some resources to help your business maintain high standards: 

• Online Food Safety Courses: Self-paced courses covering prevention, detection, control best practices, and traceability essentials. 
• NSF Training and Education Services: Offers comprehensive training on food safety, global standards, and specific courses such as HAACP and FSMA training. 

Traceability Information 

Maintaining traceability in the food processing industry is critical. Important resources include: 

• CFIA Livestock Identification and Traceability: Provides current traceability information, including regulatory requirements and animal identification guidelines. 
• Canadian Food Traceability Resources: Interactive tools and fact sheets provided by the Government of Canada to help processors comply with traceability and safety rules. 

Agri-Industry Associations 

Associations offer valuable networking opportunities and industry resources. Notable associations include: 

• Agricultural Adaptation Council: Administers government funds to support business growth in Ontario’s agri-sector. 
• Food and Beverage Ontario: Represents Ontario’s food and beverage processors, promoting sector-wide initiatives and addressing common issues. 
• Canadian Food Exporters Association: Supports Canadian food companies in export activities through regulatory support, trade shows, and trade missions. 
• Ontario Agri-Food Technologies (OAFT): Focuses on technology developments, ensuring Ontario producers stay competitive in the international market. 
• Ontario Meat & Poultry: Represents independent meat and poultry producers, promoting innovation, food safety, and addressing industry challenges. 
• Ontario Food Cluster: Provides investment and growth opportunities for Ontario-based agri-businesses on an international scale. 

Industry Events and Workshops 

Staying informed on industry trends is crucial. Key opportunities include: 

• Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Learning Events: Offers workshops, webinars, and events featuring industry leaders to help processors stay current. 
• Canadian Trade Show Opportunities: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides information on trade shows relevant to the agri-food sector, offering opportunities for networking and learning. 

Apply for Agri-Business Grants 

Leveraging these resources can significantly enhance the efficiency and success of your food processing business. We work closely with agribusinesses and have deep insight into the many grants available for the industry.

Did you know that the Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program (SGAP) offers up to $100K in funding for agri-food processors? If your business is looking to involve new capital and tech, this program might be a good fit for you.

Download our Canadian Business Funding Guide to discover how you can align your business objectives with funding opportunities. Let us help you navigate the application process and secure the support you need to grow your business.