Food and Farming across the Golden Horseshoe
Celebrating and Supporting Food Entrepreneurs

Did you know the 4,000+ food and beverage processors in the province generate an impressive $34 billion in sales? York Region has partnered with York University to support these valuable food ventures through the York Region Food & Beverage Accelerator program.

Check out this recent Food In Canada article that highlights some of the impressive local entrepreneurs working with the program, like Jamie Lee & Isabelle Lam with Remix, and Lola Adeyemi with It’s Souper — three inspirational entrepreneurs with a drive to succeed.
Deep Dish Dialogues

The Arrell Food Institute has been hosting a great monthly series, Deep Dish Dialogues, showcasing chefs and food experts diving into impactful subjects.

Each episode features new guests and a recipe connected to the topic, offering the online audience the chance to learn how to make new dishes while learning more about food, sustainability and our communities.
Farmers in the Region of Peel can now receive annual payments to protect and monitor nature on their lands with on-farm stewardship projects through the new three-year ALUS Peel Pilot! Learn more in the link below.
Did you know Ecosource, an environmental education organization, has a podcast? Plug In To Grow explores the stories, people and drivers that are shaping local food, urban agriculture and sustainability in the Region of Peel.
An Indigenous non-profit is taking over the operation of McQuesten Urban Farm in Hamilton’s east end. It’s a “natural fit” for Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg, which runs a food bank next door on Britannia Avenue, says executive director Monique Lavallee.
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s ‘Radiance’ is the first sweet potato variety developed for Canadian growing conditions. Learn more about Vineland’s impact on Canada’s sweet potato industry in the video and case study linked to below.
Community Buying in York Region
Jay Stegink in York Region has founded Value Fresh, a community buying business aimed at tackling food waste and affordability issues.

With community buying, a community leader takes orders from members, then places one bulk order and distributes it within the community, saving costs for all.

Here's how it works — Value Fresh sends out a newsletter every Monday to their subscribers highlighting what produce is available for purchase that week direct from farms or wholesalers. Customers then shop and place their produce order by Tuesday evening, and the Value Fresh team buys the produce and then delivers the orders by the end of the week.

Intrigued? Learn more in this Newmarket Today article.
Funding Announcements
The province has recently announced some exciting funding for the food and farming sector. We've shared a few articles below with more details:

Through the Agri-Tech Innovation Program, the Ontario government is funding five projects in Bradford West Gwillimbury — Bradford Greenhouses Limited, Hillside Gardens Limited, L & D Ferragina Ltd., Gwillimdale Farms Ltd., and Top Box Produce Ltd. Read more about this announcement in The Grower.

In Halton Region, Chudleigh’s and Fresh Start Foods are receiving $100,000 each from the Ontario government to support the adoption of new advanced technology and bolster their manufacturing operations. Read more in the Toronto Star.

And, as announced last month by local and provincial officials at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Niagara Region is receiving $1.8 million in funding for innovation projects in Niagara’s agricultural sector. Read more in the Niagara Falls Review.

Congratulations to all!

Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance