TORONTO — The provincial government gave almost $500,000 to 19 farms and agri-food businesses last month for investment in innovative projects.
From its Greenbelt Fund, the province has given $4.2 million to 96 projects since 2015. This year, nine businesses have links to Western Ontario farms. They are:
Bell’s Edge Farm ($10,000): The Wellington County farm will buy packaging equipment for the production of local-flavoured butter and ghee.
Fairhaven Farm ($20,000): The Wellington County farm will invest in equipment to meet growing demand for local black seed honey.
Grape Growers of Ontario ($20,000): To promote the availability of VQA wines at 10 retail locations.
Greenbelt Farmers Market Network ($35,000): To provide cost-sharing investment assistance to 16-20 small and medium-sized farms to increase and diversify offerings at local farmers’ markets.
Huron Business Development Corporation ($10,000): To pilot an Ontario student nutrition program in partnership with several South Huron schools, sourcing its fruits and vegetables from area farms.
Norfolk Cherry Company Ltd. ($40,000): To partner with the Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association to retrofit its storage facility to accommodate growing cold storage needs of local apple growers.
On the Move Organics ($20,000): The only organic online home delivery service in London, the company will expand its ready-to-eat product line to include 30 new meals.
Parkhill Meats Limited ($35,000): To invest in new equipment to increase capacity at its halal processing facility, using 100% Ontario-raised beef, lamb, goat and veal.
University of Waterloo ($20,000): To develop local burgers, fries, smoked meat and deli meats.
