Casa Bonita Foods Inc. is an Ontario-based food processor making authentic Mexican tortillas and tortilla chips with fresh, local ingredients. Their products are served at restaurants in Toronto and sold at Sobeys grocery stores across Canada. The company has recently received Ontario government funding to purchase new equipment, incorporate more Ontario ingredients, and introduce a…
The Greenbelt Fund: Local Food Investment Fund (LFIF) provides Ontario government grants to increase consumption of foods that are grown or processed locally. Funding may be awarded for three types of projects, including those that increase Broader Public Sector purchases, improve Market Access, and promote Local Food Literacy. Recently, the program announced a new intake period…
Abate Rabbit Packers is a provincially-licensed meat processor located in Arthur, Ontario. Founded in 1967, the company has enjoyed many years of success and now maintains over 45 full-time employees. In addition to rabbit, its main product, Abate also offers poultry such as Cornish hen, chicken, quail, and duck. Recently, Abate Rabbit Packers received $25,000…
Collège Boréal has been awarded $10,000 in Ontario agriculture grants to carry-out a pilot project that will aim to increase students’ access to locally sourced foods on campus. In Spring 2017, 85% of post-secondary students articulated the importance of colleges supporting sustainability by serving local food options. To address this outlook, Collège Boréal will develop…
In April 2017, the Government of Ontario committed up to $830,000 in funding toward local agri-food projects. In total, 24 projects will use these agriculture grants to increase consumer awareness, demand, and consumption of local foods and beverages. Ontario government funding was awarded through the Greenbelt Fund: Local Food Investment Fund. The program offers up…
The Greenbelt Fund is an Ontario-based non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of food producers and processors. This mandate has led to the development of the Greenbelt Fund: Local Food Investment Fund, an Ontario government grant supporting projects that increase the amount of Ontario-grown or made foods consumed. Through the Greenbelt Fund’s Local Food Investment…
Ontario’s dynamic agriculture industry continues to grow and diversify thanks to key investments from federal, provincial, and local sources. Canadian government funding programs, in addition to advocacy initiatives for local food consumption, have helped agricultural producers and processors increase revenues and introduce new products and services. This approach has been a key factor in the…
One of my favourite Saturday morning routines is shopping at my local farmers’ market. Although all markets have their own schedules, my local market is open year-round and provides the ability to stock up on local produce, cheese, meat, and other fresh agricultural goodies. I try to attend the farmers’ market as often as I…
The Greenbelt Fund is a not-for-profit organization who advocates for the consumption of locally farmed and manufactured agricultural products. Financed by the Government of Ontario, the Greenbelt Fund administers government grants to organizations that increase the accessibility or consumption of local food. Ontario businesses and not-for-profit organizations may receive 50% of eligible project expenses. Not-for-profits…