June 10, 2016
CROSS WIND FARM EXPANDING WITH INVESTMENT FROM ONTARIO GOVERNMENT AND GREENBELT FUND
Local Food Investment Fund Supporting 23 Local Food Projects With $1.5 Million In Funding
Peterborough – The Greenbelt Fund, in partnership with the Ontario Government, is providing Cross Wind Farm with $40,000, in support through the Local Food Investment Fund (LFIF), towards the purchase of new equipment to help them expand their operations.
Cross Wind Farm produces award-winning artisanal goat cheeses and high-quality chevon meat. Through the Greenbelt Fund’s $40,000 investment, Cross Wind Farm will increase production and capacity, which will allow them to partner with more local goat farms.
“Cross Wind Farm is investing not only to grow its business, but to bring other farmers to market as a result of this project,” said Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund. “The appetite for tasty local foods, like Cross Wind’s award-winning cheese, is growing and we’re supporting farmers to grow their capacity to meet this demand.”
“Through the Local Food Investment Fund, our government is helping expose people across this province to the great foods grown, harvested and made right here in Ontario while helping create new opportunities for our local agri-food producers,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal. ““Family farms are a key contributor to the success of our vital agri-food sector and by investing in Cross Wind Farm we are investing in the success of their partners, building a strong agri-food sector and growing our economy.”
Through the LFIF, the Greenbelt is investing $190,000 to support four projects in Eastern Ontario, including Cross Wind Farm, bringing more locally grown and raised food to Ontarians. A total of $1.5 million is being invested in projects across the province.
“We’re thrilled to be launching new cheeses and growing our farm’s capacity,” said Cindy Hope of Cross Wind Farm. “It’s great to be able to not only expand our own operations, but bring other farmers in as well by processing their goat dairy to make our unique cheeses.”
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About the Local Food Investment Fund:
In 2015, the Ontario government provided the Greenbelt Fund with $6 million over three years to support initiatives that will help support the province’s local food strategy by enhancing consumer awareness and access to local food and generating demand and supply of Ontario foods and beverages. The investment supports initiatives such as the Local Food Investment Fund, which is a grant program for farmers, businesses and not-for-profits working to increase the amount of Ontario-grown and made food purchased and enjoyed across the province. The Local Food Investment Fund's three grant streams focus on enhancing local food literacy, increasing market access for small and mid-size Ontario farmers and processors and increasing purchases of local food in the broader public sector, such as hospitals and universities.
About the Greenbelt Fund:
The Greenbelt Fund changes the way we eat food in Ontario. Our innovative investments get more local food onto the plates of Ontarians. We work with businesses, institutions and NGOs to make Ontario’s farmers the first choice for consumers. The Fund’s work has generated a 13-fold return on our investments, permanently changed the food value chain, and improved local food awareness and education around the province. As a not-for-profit, the Greenbelt Fund is supported by public and private sources.
Contact:
Erica Woods
Communications Manager
Greenbelt Fund
Phone: (416) 960-0001 ext. 306