Food and Farming across the Golden Horseshoe
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Now going into their fifth year, Go Chips is a local business out of Oakville making waves in the snack industry with their popular plantain chips.
In this recent interview, co-founders Yemi Shoeowale and Ayodele Sokefun discuss the challenges small businesses face, especially new immigrants, and how they overcame some of those challenges. Ayodele points out that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.
Go Chips now has a presence from coast to coast to coast in the U.S., and in Canada they are present in over 100 stores. They have big plans for the next few years, with sights on getting new products in major grocers.
Their advice? Focus on research — understand what customers want. And whatever you’re working toward, spend at least 30 minutes a day on it. “Your dream only stays a dream if you don’t do anything about it,” shares Yemi.
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We hope to see you at the International Public Markets Conference!
Registration is open for the 11th International Public Markets Conference, taking place in Toronto on June 8-10, 2023!
Hosted by Project for Public Spaces—with the City of Toronto, the St. Lawrence Market and Market City TO as co-hosts this year—the three-day event will convene more than 300 leaders in public markets from across the globe.
City of Toronto staff and public market champions have worked together to secure this important event for Toronto and the public market sector. The GHFFA is thrilled to be part of the organizing committee, and we’re excited to sponsor a tour of farmers’ markets outside of the city during the conference! Read more.
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“For the first time in a lot of people's lives, many of us had the experience of going into the grocery store and seeing bare shelves or some products not available,” says Tyson McMann, agri-food business consultant for the City of Hamilton, in a recent Hamilton City Magazine article. “I think it changed people's perception of where they get their food, how they get their food, and what that means.”
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Registration is currently open for the the Ignatius Farm New Farmer Training Program, and it's free in 2023!
Educational content is geared toward new farmers, but is open to all farmers who might be curious about a certain topic, wishing to expand their farming knowledge, or in need of a refresh. You can join for a single webinar or sign up for a whole term.
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Fair Finance Fund Spring Intake |
Are you looking to purchase equipment, improve operations, expand inventory and suppliers or invest in marketing for your food or farm business?
The Fair Finance Fund's Spring Intake is open until April 21st, with loans available from $20,000 up to $200,000.
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Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership |
The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced they are investing up to $10 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help food processing businesses increase energy efficiency and lower their costs, with the Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative. Read more.
Through the Sustainable CAP, the governments of Canada and Ontario are also investing up to $6 million to help eligible agri-food businesses and industry organizations expand into domestic and foreign markets, with the Grow Ontario Market Initiative. Read more here.
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Some more food news to chew on... |
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According to a new report, Hamilton can already meet its housing targets within its urban boundary, without needing to open up the Greenbelt or expand into prime farmland.
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Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance
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