MPP Sylvia Jones Announces Investments to Increase Export Opportunities for Local Agriculture and Food business

DUFFERIN-CALEDON: The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing over $7 million in approved projects through the Grow Ontario Market Initiative. This Initiative is a five-year, $12 million program, launched last year through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.  

Sylvia Jones, MPP for Dufferin-Caledon welcomes this announcement as it will help local agriculture and food businesses increase their sales in domestic and foreign markets. Heritage Bee Co. has been approved to receive the following funding:

  • Up to $34,325.54 for Heritage Bee Co. in Mulmur to undertake the development of a branding and marketing strategy and materials to expand their organic honey products into targeted new sales environments.

The Grow Ontario Market Initiative supports primary producers, food processors and industry organizations with cost-share funding to help them undertake market analysis and planning, new product development and marketing. 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.

“Our government is steadfast in our commitment to the goals set out in our Grow Ontario Strategy – including growing the province’s agriculture and food exports by eight per cent annually,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “In its first year, the Grow Ontario Market Initiative is already making a difference for Ontario agriculture and food businesses by helping them to reach for new market opportunities.”

The Grow Ontario Market Initiative is delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Application information can be obtained by calling 1-877-424-1300 or visiting this website.  

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. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

Media Contact:

Heather Grégoire, EA for Sylvia Jones, MPP Dufferin-Caledon

Heather.gregoire@pc.ola.org