As we move into 2025, it’s exciting to reflect on the momentum building within the agri-food industry and at the AAC.
As an organization, we have been placing more emphasis on industry engagement, and this is now paying off with the formation of new partnerships and information to better serve our full agri-food industry. We have consulted our members to gain better knowledge of their current issues, needs and opportunities and are actively using this insight to shape our programs and priorities.
Last December, we convened our 29th Annual General Meeting, at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Guelph. It was truly a highlight of the past year, bringing our members and stakeholders together for a day of energetic networking and learning around the theme of “Setting Tomorrow’s Table”. A moderated panel of industry experts sparked important conversations on the topic of agri-food innovation and how critical this will be for the growth and sustainability of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
Applicant presentations from both the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative and the Supply Chain Stability and Adaptability Program also provided tangible examples of how projects funded through AAC-delivered programs are shaping the advancement and resilience of Ontario agri-food businesses. Investments in innovation, advanced technology, automation, energy efficiency and systems improvements are top of mind as we prepare the future of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
In keeping with this future-forward outlook, the AAC 2050 Committee is gaining momentum. An expanded group of industry experts, representing the full agri-food continuum, helped complete a foresighting exercise last fall. With support of the Intersol Group, a series of meetings helped identify the drivers of change that will shape the future of Ontario’s agri-food industry, how they are shifting and what the impacts might be. Based on this preliminary work, a series of scenarios have been developed that might help us understand what our sector could look like in the short, medium and long-term.
This is very exciting work and the AAC 2050 Committee is thrilled to facilitate this process. As a next step, we hope to engage more industry stakeholders, and will be announcing an event to examine this work and help chart a course for industry action. Ultimately the impact of this committee will be determined by the level of collaboration and industry buy-in. We encourage you, as industry stakeholders, to join us in envisioning a sustainable, vibrant food system for Ontario. Further details will be forthcoming. More information about the 2050 committee can be sourced on AAC’s website.
As always, we’d love to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the team with your comments or questions.
Melanie DiReto, AAC Executive Director
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