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Food and Beverage Industry News - October 2023!
The Labour, Trade and Economic Development Branch supports economic growth
across Ontario’s agri-food value chain by helping businesses, rural communities and
organizations to prosper by providing information, resources and programming, as
well as helping to make direct business connections with buyers, suppliers and
investors.
To contact one of our Economic and Business Advisors please send an email to ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or call 1-877-424-1300.
Edition features:
- Highlight
- Funding programs
- OMAFRA Webinars
- Trade events
- Industry news
- Research and Innovation Opportunities
- Resources
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Webinar: US Natural Food Market – October 18 at 1:00 pm EST
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Free Webinar: US Natural Food Market – October 18, 2023, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST. Join OMAFRA and the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) to explore trends, opportunities, upcoming events, and COTA's services.
Register
Topics will include:
- Natural Products Trends and Opportunities in the US
- Canada Organic Trade Association
- Upcoming industry events in North America
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Apply now for the Grow Ontario Market Initiative! | | |
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Canada and Ontario are investing up to $6 million in market development efforts under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help eligible agri-food businesses and industry organizations expand into domestic and foreign markets.
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative is a new, cost-share initiative that helps food and beverage processors, farm businesses and agri-food sector organizations take actions to reach new markets. Examples of eligible projects could include:
- Market analysis and planning
- Product development activities
- New market-entry promotional efforts to expand opportunities for Ontario food products
Under the Grow Ontario Market Initiative, applicants can receive up to 50 per cent cost share for eligible costs, to a maximum of $60,000 per business for producers and food and beverage processors, and up to $125,000 for sector organizations. Eligible businesses can apply for support through this program opened on May 19, 2023.
Grow Ontario Market Initiative Guidelines and Application can be found on the website here.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.
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2024 Grains Innovation Fund – Accepting Applications
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The Grains Innovation Fund – Market Development initiative, invites innovators spanning the entire value chain, encompassing participants from the grain handling system, food, and feed manufacturers, bioproduct pioneers, marketers, retailers, and beyond.
Funding is available to support development of new and reformulated products and processes which have the potential to expand the market for Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat crops or crop residues. Projects which satisfy the eligibility criteria established for this fund can receive up to 60% of the cost of the project up to a maximum of $75,000.
Applications for the 2024 Grains Innovation Fund must be submitted by email to hmicallef@gfo.ca by 4 pm on November 3, 2023.
Grain Farmers of Ontario has identified specific themes that are a priority for investment, though all project proposals that meet the fund criteria will be considered:
- Food processing projects that have the potential to utilize large volumes of commodity grains and oilseeds for novel uses
- Projects focused on next generation bio-economy grains-based solutions such as renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and bio-based materials like compostable plastics
- Projects for the feed industry that maximize the potential for Ontario grains in animals’ diets
- Projects that will support new, scalable, value-added processing opportunities in Ontario
- Projects with significant market reach that promote Ontario grain- and oilseed-based products in a positive manner that can demonstrably increase customer awareness and demand
For more information on the program and application details, please visit the Grain Farmers of Ontario website.
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Strategic Energy Management Program - Apply Now!
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Save on Energy recently launched a new program for industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations in Ontario. This Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Program places organizations within a cohort of peers to receive coaching, training, peer support, and financial incentives to help meet their energy reduction goals.
Given the importance of the food and beverage sector in Ontario, the program plans to build a dedicated Food & Beverage Cohort to address specific energy challenges and opportunities in the sector and support efforts to reduce utility costs and improve sustainability. We encourage you to join your peers and take part.
Applications are being accepted now!
Program Highlights:
- Earn up to $5,000 towards energy management tools
- Earn up to $100,000 in performance incentives per year (at $0.02 per kWh saved)
- Participate in facilitated activities to identify energy-saving opportunities at your facility and Identify gaps in your energy management practices
- Work with experts to develop a facility baseline model to monitor energy performance
To connect directly with the SEM Program team, schedule a 15 minute zoom call with an SEM Coach.
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PLMA’s 2023 Private Label Trade Show | | |
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Ranked a Gold 100 Show and the largest of its kind, PLMA’s 2023 “THE STORE BRANDS PHENONEMON” Annual Private Label Trade Show is on from November 12-14 in Chicago, IL.
Good luck to the 19 Ontario food and beverage companies attending the show as a part of the Ontario Pavilion with OMAFRA.
Interested in learning more or attending next year?
Please reach out to your OMAFRA Economic and Business Advisor and check out: https://www.plma.com/events/plmas-2023-annual-private-label-trade-show
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Visit the Ontario Pavilion at Grocery Innovations Canada! | | |
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Grocery gathers again at Canadian grocery’s largest meetings, exhibition and conference event taking place from October 24-25 at the Toronto Congress Centre. This must attend industry B2B event showcases over 5,600 of the nation’s leading grocery retailers and decision-makers!
Good luck to the 70 Ontario food and beverage companies attending the show as part of the Ontario Pavilion with OMAFRA.
Interested in learning more or attending next year?
Please reach out to your OMAFRA Economic and Business Advisor and check out: https://groceryinnovations.com/
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Webinar: How to Market your Products in Mexico – November 21 at 10:00 am EST | | |
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Calling all Ontario food and beverage suppliers!
Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, November 21st at 10:00 am EST, join the Ontario Government, in collaboration with the Toronto Board of Trade (TBOT), for a free webinar exploring exporting to and marketing your products in Mexico.
This webinar provides an overview of the Mexican market, including marketing best practices, and trends in the retail industry.
Register here
For more information, please contact Fabiola Sicard at fabiola.sicard@ontario.ca.
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Webinar: Maximizing Plant Effectiveness – November 7 at 10:00 am EST | | |
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On Tuesday, November 7 at 10:00 am EST, join the Ontario Government, and Food and Beverage Ontario, for a free webinar exploring pathways to manufacturing plant efficiency. This webinar provides an overview of OMAFRA’s publication, The Food Manufacturers’ Playbook, a tactical guide to efficient processes and environmental performance.
Register here
Learn:
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How unplanned downtime, utility use, labor productivity, yield on inputs and the cost of waste management are connected
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What variables interact and can be managed to improve margins and environmental performance
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When to improve uptime and output with fewer inputs
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Where communication and data management connect
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Why the game plan for action is a sequence of actions
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Webinar: E-Commerce for Canadian Exports – December 4 at 10:00 am EST | | |
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E-Commerce is transforming the landscape for Ontario food suppliers, allowing them to reach a larger, more diverse audience. The US is the largest and most accessible market for Ontario suppliers and for Ontario online retailers selling across the boarder is a logical first step.
On Monday, December 4 at 10:00 am EST, join the Government of Ontario and the Trade Commissioner Service from Washington D.C. for a free webinar on E-Commerce for Canadian Exports.
Topics include:
- Overview of the US market
- Logistical considerations for exporting
- How to leverage e-commerce platforms for export success
Register here!
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Join Meat & Poultry Ontario for the Meating Place Conference in Muskoka, October 20 & 21 | | |
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Join Meat and Poultry Ontario at the beautiful JW Marriott Muskoka for a one-of-a-kind event dedicated to inspiring and bringing together leaders in the meat industry. The Meating Place Conference is back, and this year, they are taking their theme to new heights with “Revive and Thrive.”
Are you ready to harness the power of leadership and drive your organization towards unparalleled success? Then mark your calendars for October 20 – 21 and secure your spot at this premier gathering of industry professionals, thought leaders, and visionaries.
Register to attend here!
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Hire a University of Guelph Co-op Student for Winter 2024 | | |
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It's quick and easy to find the ideal candidate to help with your recruitment needs. Hire a student from +60 programs for 4 or 8 months. Interviews begin on September 22 and continue throughout the semester.
Get more information on the University of Guelph website.
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SSFPA Launches Venture-Capital Ready: Investment Training For Women Entrepreneurs | | |
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Empower your agri-food or beverage business with the Venture-Capital Ready Program!
Designed for women entrepreneurs, this initiative offers participants coaching and expert feedback to enhance their investor interactions.
With pitching practice and use of the Investor Pipeline, get your company in front of interested investors and create strong opportunities.
Join in on the training to elevate your business and secure the funding you need for growth!
Learn More about the Venture-Capital Ready Program!
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New DEI Training for Food & Beverage Employers
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Food Processing Skills Canada is now offering new DEI training starting with "The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conscious Organization."
This e-course has been designed for employers, senior leaders, and HR professionals to gain insights on DEI principles of fairness, respect and collaboration, and to learn strategies on how to create an inclusive workplace.
The course's expert-led modules guide learners in navigating workforce challenges, enhancing employee engagement, and increasing productivity. Broaden your leadership skills and make workplace culture improvements that will drive a welcoming and cohesive organization.
Learn more HERE.
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Free Safe Material Handling webinar: Enhancing Compliance Efforts through an Ergonomic Lens
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Workplace Safety & Prevention Services and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development's Provincial Ergonomist are teaming up to deliver a free safe material handling webinar.
Focused on farming and industrial manufacturing sectors, this webinar will explore how applying ergonomic principles to material movement, storage and handling in the workplace can help achieve compliance and optimize health and productivity.
Register and learn more.
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RESEARCH AND INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES | |
The Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI) offers funding and free project consultation to grow your agri-food business! | |
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CRI is a leading food innovation research facility that specializes in nutritional and shelf-life testing for product development and validation.
Services include:
- Nutritional labeling
- Shelf-life testing
- Bioextraction of plant materials
- Batch and continuous fermentations
- Analysis of proteins, fats and carbohydrates
- Analysis of minerals (iron, calcium, etc.)
Funding up to $100,000 per eligible project is available. For a free project consultation, contact Andrew Kaszowski at a_kaszowski@fanshawec.ca
Learn more about their capabilities and successes: fanshawec.ca/research
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Get Ready for Retail: R&D Support Available at George Brown College
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The Food Innovation & Research Studio works with companies of all sizes to tackle food science challenges and get you ready for retail. FIRSt offers support in product development, optimization, shelf-life testing, nutritional analysis, consumer sensory feedback and much more from our lab at George Brown College in downtown Toronto. The team of food scientists, chefs, and industry professionals are ready to be your R&D experts.
Find out about who we are and what we do at our website!
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Aiming to launch a new beverage product? Niagara College’s HACCP Certified Beverage Pilot Plant can help! | | |
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We help you be market-ready by focusing on getting the food safety and quality parameters right at the initial stages of development so you can prove your concept in the market and be confident in your next steps of scaling to commercial co-packing/manufacturing. We de-risk the product launch process and plug in where you need support most by helping to:
- Develop, reformulate, and initial scale-up new (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) beverage products
- Provide GMP food safe small batch processing from 50 L to 1,000 L
- De-risk process and formula optimization through pilot trials and scale-up feasibility studies
- Conduct food safety risk assessments, shelf-life studies, beverage formulation, mixing, carbonating, bottling/canning, and pasteurization
- Ensure peace of mind by being HACCP Certified, CFIA Licenced under Safe Food for Canadians Act and Approved for Inter-provincial Trade, and AGCO compliant
- Provide fee-for-service rates and funding options that can offset applied research project costs subject to eligibility criteria
Click here to contact us and get the conversation started!
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Conestoga Food Research and Innovation Lab (CFRIL) is your partner in applied food research | | |
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With Conestoga College's research network integrating the expertise of their industry experts at the Institute of Food Processing Technology, School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts and Packaging Technology they offer support from concept to finished product. From their 8,000 sq ft pilot plant to culinary arts labs they can test at a scale that best suits your current business needs. Their pilot plant offers end-to-end beverage, retort, vegetable processing and bakery lines, along with vertical flow wrapping, tray sealing and vacuum sealing.
Reach out to Nicole Detlor at ndetlor@conestogac.on.ca to discuss how they can collaborate or check out their website to learn more about their capabilities.
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Food Manufacturers’ Playbook
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The food manufacturers’ playbook is a game plan and roadmap for improving productivity, efficiency and environmental performance for food and agri-tech production.
The resource details how unplanned downtime, utility use, labour productivity, yield on inputs and the cost of waste management connect and how these variables affect one another. Managing these variables can improve margins and environmental performance.
Check out more information on The Manufactures' Playbook
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