Food and Beverage Industry News
Happy New Year - January 2025!
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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.
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Natural Food Trends in the US
January 30, 2025 - 2:00PM EST
Join the Government of Ontario in collaboration with the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) for a free webinar to explore trends and opportunities in the natural food and beverage industry in the US, upcoming industry events, as well as services and member benefits offered by COTA.
Webinar will include:
- Canada Organic Trade Association, services provided and membership opportunities
- Organic and Natural Product Trends and Opportunities in the US
- Upcoming industry events in North America
Speaker: Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association
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Application Intake Now Open for the Labour Force Management
Strategies Initiative
The Governments of Canada and Ontario have created the Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative to attract and retain agri-food workers in Ontario. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this investment of up to $4 million will strengthen Ontario’s agri-food workforce for years to come. The initiative started accepting applications from eligible primary producers, processors and industry organizations on October 22, 2024. The deadline to apply is September 2, 2025, or when available funding is fully committed – whichever comes first.
This initiative is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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Ontario Increasing Support
for Young Entrepreneurs
The Government of Ontario is investing $2 million in Futurpreneur Canada, a non-profit entrepreneurship organization, to help 300 young entrepreneurs start a new business. This investment will create approximately 1,200 new jobs with a focus on rural and Northern communities in Ontario.
Futurpreneur Canada, provides financing, mentoring tools and resources to aspiring business owners aged 18-39 through their flagship loan initiative, the Core Startup Program. The program offers collateral-free loans of up to $75,000, two years of mentorship and in-person programming.
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Increased Investment in the Ontario
Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
The Governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors and agri-businesses that will enhance their competitiveness and growth. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), this additional intake will support investments in the applied research, pilot and demonstration, and knowledge translation and transfer streams.
This initiative is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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2025 OMAFA Webinar Series | |
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness invites you to participate in our free 2025 Webinar Series designed specifically for Ontario food and beverage manufacturers. We host webinars that aim to provide valuable information and resources for your business.
Register now for our upcoming webinars:
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Are My Products Compliant in Europe?
Join the Government of Ontario and Phaff Export Marketing for a free webinar to explore export opportunities in the European Union (EU).
Date: January 16, 2025
Time: 10:00am - 11:00 pm EST
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Join the Government of Ontario for a free webinar to explore trends and opportunities in the natural food and beverage sector in the US, upcoming industry events, as well as services and member benefits offered by the Canada Organic Trade Association.
Date: January 30, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
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How to Pitch to Buyers
Learn more about how to pitch your food and beverage company to buyers. This webinar will provide a four-step framework to ensure you’re prepared, confident, and ready to get that buyer to say “yes!” to carrying your product line.
Date: February 27, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST
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Stay tuned for the next batch of upcoming webinars! | |
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Natural Products Expo West,
March 4-7, 2025 - Anaheim, CA
Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) is the best place to reach natural, organic and healthy lifestyle buyers. This is your chance to get one-on-one time with retailers, distributors, health practitioners and food service professionals. Be there to tell your story and network with the industry!
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AAHAR Food & Hospitality Trade Show
March 4-8, 2025 - New Delhi, India
Showcase Canadian agriculture and agri-food in the Canada pavilion at India's premier trade show - the AAHAR Food and Hospitality Trade Show.
AAHAR is India's largest Food & Hospitality trade show, organized by the Government of India. It takes place March 4-8, 2025, in New Delhi, India. In 2024, the show had over 100,000 business visitors and 1,700 exhibitors including international participation from Australia, France, Italy, Peru, UAE, UK, USA, Brazil Japan & Turkey.
Participants are responsible for their own travel costs (including visas), accommodation, and local transportation. Registration charges for Canadian company participants, for a 6 sqm booth within the Canadian Pavilion will be $3,500 CAD.
Interested to learn more? Reach out to Guru Batia, Economic and Business Advisor, guru.bhatia@ontario.ca.
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Foodex Japan 2025
March 11-14, 2025 - Tokyo, Japan
Foodex Japan 2025 will be taking place from March 11-14, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. The Canada Pavilion is now open to Canadian export ready companies to register and to book their space.
Foodex Japan is the largest food and beverage show in Asia and is a vital industry event for buyers from Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. In 2024, the show attracted 3,300 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions and 80,500 professional visitors.
Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that exhibitors consider the possibility that using in-market staff, brokers, agents, or temporary hires to participate in this event may be required, should there be changes to entry requirements. An exhibitor’s inability to travel to participate will not be grounds for cancellation or refund.
The Canada Pavilion Program website explains the program and support model for FOODEX Japan and other Flagship tradeshows.
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Restaurants Canada Show
April 7-9, 2025 - Toronto, ON
The 80th edition of Canada’s leading hospitality and foodservice event includes three days of non-stop action in Toronto at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place! This year’s event theme “FUEL” will bring the industry together to fuel their potential, people, prosperity and passion for the upcoming year.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) and Restaurants Canada are pleased to provide Ontario food and beverage companies the opportunity to display their unique, local products in the Ontario Pavilion. This feature pavilion showcases Ontario-made products and connects you with international buyers, as well as chefs, caterers, distributors, brokers, restaurateurs, and foodservice operators.
EXHIBIT WITH OMAFA AND SAVE!
We are offering an exclusive booth and promotional package at a discount rate of $2,599 for a 10' x 10' booth or $1,299.50 for a 5' x 10' booth.
For more information, and to register, contact Lerna at lerna@restaurantscanada.org.
This initiative is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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Ontario Pavilion at PLMA
May 20-21, 2025 -
Amsterdam, Netherlands
For the first time, OMAFA is hosting an in-person Ontario Pavilion at the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) trade show in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Information for Exhibitors | PLMA (plmainternational.com), May 20-21, 2025, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. This industry leading trade show is an ideal opportunity for Ontario food and beverage processors who are export ready.
Register Now as space is limited:
Register now at an exclusive rate of only CAD $5,000 for a 10x10 ft. single booth or CAD $9,000 for a 10x20 ft. double booth to exhibit with the Ontario Pavilion. Take advantage of this special turnkey offer. The required PLMA Membership is included in this fee. (Valued at $1,500 CAD)
Benefits of exhibiting with the Ontario Pavilion include:
- Turn-key booth (hard walls, countertop, carpet, lighting)
- Excellent visibility on the show floor
- Complimentary exhibitor badges (3). Additional badges may be purchased at the cost of $175 each.
- Promotion of exhibiting companies in advance of and during the show in an Ontario show guide for buyers which includes company information, contact and booth location at the show
- Face-to-face time with key European and US retailers
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Ontario Sweet Cider Competition
The Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention (OFVC) will once again be hosting sweet cider and hard cider competitions to promote Ontario grown and processed ciders. This is a fun opportunity to get some recognition for your cider products. Attending the OFVC is a great way to network and learn. See the main OFVC website for full conference details. https://www.ofvc.ca/index.html
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Join Food Processing Skills Canada's FoodAbility Program Today!
Do you need to take advantage of an opportunity to hire new employees? Over 800,000 people in Canada have a functional limitation or disability and can work and want to work. FoodAbility bridges the gap between those who want to work and hiring businesses who will welcome them into their workforce. Not stopping at the food industry - all employers are welcome!
There is no cost to participate - all businesses are welcome to register.
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Alizés Awards 2025 in Toronto, ON
Group Export Agri-Food officially opens the nomination period for the 2025 Alizés Awards, presented by Farm Credit Canada. The awards, open to all Canadian agri-food companies, will be presented on April 29, 2025, at Steam Whistle’s Locomotive Hall, alongside SIAL Canada. Winners will be chosen by a renowned jury specialized in the agri-food export sector.
Canadian agri-food exporters are invited to visit lesprixalizesawards.ca to review the four award categories, and to submit their applications.
Nominations close at 5:00 pm on February 21, 2025.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Conscious Training for Food & Beverage Employers
Food Processing Skills Canada is now offering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Conscious (DEI) training.
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.
Work at your own pace through the course's expert-led modules and learn to address workforce challenges, boost employee engagement, and increase productivity while enhancing leadership skills and improving workplace culture.
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Register Today for the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture -
Cultivating Local Webinar Series
Thinking about selling direct to consumer and wondering how to get started? Check out the Cultivating Local Workshop Series to help kick off your local food, agritourism or value-added venture. In response to demand and growing interest in seizing local selling opportunities, Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is hosting 9 online workshops from November 2024 to February 2025. Learn more about the opportunities to sell in-demand products to consumers in Ontario.
Webinars will be taking place, Thursdays from November 2024 to February 2025 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST.
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Intellectual Property:
Essentials for Food Innovators
January 23rd, 2025
| Canadian Food Innovation Network is excited to announce their upcoming webinar, 'Intellectual Property (IP) Essentials for Food Innovators,' scheduled for Thursday, January 23rd at 2:00 pm EST. This event will kick off their new Unpuzzling webinar series, designed to offer actionable insights and guidance on navigating complex food business topics. | |
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Apply for Venturepark Accelerator
Cohort 19!
Applications are now open for cohort 19 of Venturepark Accelerator Program (Starting Feb 2025!)
If you're ready to push your potential and grow your consumer-packaged goods (CPG) startup in Canada, this program is a unique opportunity to do just that.
Venturepark is Canada’s leading CPG accelerator, empowering entrepreneurs to scale their businesses with industry expertise, personalized mentorship, and access to Venturepark’s extensive growth ecosystem. Cohort 19 participants will take part in a four-month program, gaining insights on strategy, sales, marketing, and supply chain management from top sponsors like Sobeys, BMO, and Torys LLP.
Program benefits:
- One-on-one guidance from mentors and team members
- Connections with other founders
- Exposure at Sobeys look for local and our national demo day, giving you direct access to investors and retailers
Join a powerful network of entrepreneurs and kickstart your business growth in 2025.
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RESEARCH AND INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Aiming to Launch a
New Beverage Product?
Niagara College’s HACCP Certified Beverage Pilot Plant Can Help!
At the Food & Beverage Innovation Centre, they 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. They de-risk the product launch process and plug in where you need support most by helping to:
- Develop, reformulate, and initially scale-up new (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) beverage products
- Provide GMP food safe small batch processing from 50L to 1,000L
- De-risk processes 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
Connect with David DiPietro, Business Development Manager at: ddipietro@niagaracollege.ca to learn how to get started.
Check out our latest video to get a virtual tour of the Pilot Plant HERE.
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Get Growing with Incentives From
Save on Energy!
Are you looking to grow your greenhouse’s bottom line? Be sure to take advantage of agriculture incentives from the Save on Energy Retrofit program. Don’t miss out on the financial, production and crop quality advantages that come from an energy-efficient operation.
Agricultural incentives are available for:
- LED grow lights
- Dual and natural exhaust vents
- High-efficiency ventilation exhaust fans
- Recirculation ventilation fans
- Photocells and timers for lighting controls
- Solar photovoltaic panels in combination with battery storage in specific regions of Southwestern Ontario
Ready to get started? Connect with a Save on Energy advisor today!
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Strengthen your orientation and training program to get results
A strong safety orientation and training program is key to keep your business running smoothly. The right training will not only ensure worker safety but can also enhance employee retention. Use these four expert tips to develop impactful enhancements to your health and safety training.
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The University of Guelph Announces the Launch of the One Health Co-op Program
The first group of U of G One Health students will embark on 12-month work terms starting May 2025.
With three years of their degree program completed, and specializations in Disease, Complexity and Health; Environment, Food and Health; Culture, Society and Health; and Policy, Economics and Health, One Health students are ready to make an impact and tackle the complex, interdisciplinary challenges at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.
Reach out to Lindsay at lpeddle@uoguelph.ca to learn how to recruit talented students in One Health!
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Loyalist College’s Centre for
Natural Products -
The Natural Choice For Innovation Support
The Centre for Natural Products (CNP) at Loyalist College is a research hub with expertise in the natural products sector. Boasting 5100-square-feet of advanced equipment and instrumentation, our team of experts work to transform results into high-quality, safe, and innovative products. With specialties in extraction and advanced analytics, product development and formulation, shelf-life stability and microbiology, the CNP has built a reputation working with industry to drive innovation across the natural products sector.
Reach out to Laurie Caouette at: LCaouette@loyalistcollege.com to learn more about our research services or check out our website.
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Improve Recruitment with Food and Beverage Ontario's CareersNow!
Enhance your recruitment strategy at no-cost by posting your job openings with Food and Beverage Ontario's CareersNOW!. Connect with a wide pool of qualified jobseekers eager to start a career in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry. Through strategic partnerships with Careers in Food and Magnet Canada and backed by an unprecedented provincial-wide marketing campaign, your job postings will benefit from extensive exposure, including out-of-home and digital advertising.
Take advantage of this opportunity to attract top talent and further establish your company’s standing as a leading employer. Visit CareersNOW.ca and create a free Employer account to connect with the right candidates today.
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Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
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