February 13, 2014
MORE LOCAL MEAT ON ONTARIO PLATES
Local Lamb and Veal Coming to Ontario Grocery Stores Thanks to Newmarket Meat Packers Limited
An innovative new project from Newmarket Meat Packers Limited means more local meat will be available in grocery stores throughout Ontario.
With support from the Greenbelt Fund, and funding from the Ontario government, Newmarket Meat Packers Limited will provide increased market opportunities for small- and medium-sized Ontario lamb and veal farmers and help get their product into major grocery retail chains.
“Newmarket Meat Packers shows great leadership: leading this project means more opportunities for our farmers and the consumer who gets to buy the local product in their neighbourhood store. This project proves we are making systemic change to put more local food on our plates. The result—more local food for Ontarians and a happier, healthier community,” says Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund.
The Newmarket Meat Packer’s project, Come Grow With Us! Ontario Lamb Company & Ontario Veal Premium – Ontario Farmers Producing for You ($207,500), will bring local lamb and veal into major grocery retail chains. The project includes the installation of equipment that will allow Newmarket Meat Packers to meet retail food safety standards, and create an Ontario brand of halal veal and lamb.
“With this project, Newmarket Meat Packers is expanding the market for our farmers and increasing opportunities for the public to buy local. Providing local food options will help our region’s economy and benefit our families, our farmers, and our community,” says Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham.
“Newmarket Meat Packers is excited to expand the opportunities available to farmers across Ontario,” says Nick D'Elia, Owner of Newmarket Meat Packers Limited. “The support of the Greenbelt Fund means reaching out to lamb and veal producers who have not had a chance to connect with a large market in the past. Creating an Ontario brand of halal and lamb products allows us to get more local product into kitchens across the province.”
For a more detailed description of this project and other grants that are a part of the Greenbelt Fund’s Regional Food Grant Program, please visit Ontariofresh.ca.
Since its launch in 2010, the Greenbelt Fund has supported 78 projects with funding totalling $7.4 million, increasing the amount of local food available across the province. The province’s total investments toward broader sector programming means a targeted return of $38.9 million in additional Ontario food in daycares, schools, universities, and colleges–or a five to one return on investment for every dollar spent.
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About the Greenbelt Fund:
The Greenbelt Fund, a non-profit organization, supports and enhances the viability, integrity, and sustainability of agriculture in the Greenbelt and Ontario.
The Fund delivers support to farmers and local food leaders to ensure more of the good things that grow in Ontario are being served and distributed through our public institutions, retail, and foodservice markets. Helping to overcome challenges and support economic growth, the Fund’s goal is to create systemic change to permanently increase the amount of local food consumed in the province through grants, education, policy, and networking initiatives. The Fund is supported by public and private sources. For more information about the program and grants visit Ontariofresh.ca. For more information on local food visit foodlandontario.ca.
For more information about the Ontario government’s new Local Food Act and broader local food strategy, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.
Contact:
Jennifer Asselin
Communications Manager
Greenbelt Fund
Phone: (416) 960-0001, ext. 306
jasselin[at]greenbeltfund.ca
Grant Information
Newmarket Meat Packers Limited Come Grow With Us! Ontario Lamb Company & Ontario Veal Premium – Ontario Farmers Producing for You ($207,500)
Newmarket Meat Packers Limited will bring local lamb and veal into major grocery retail chains. They will install equipment that will allow them to meet retail food safety standards, and create an Ontario brand of halal veal and lamb. This project provides a unique opportunity for small and medium sized producers to get their animals to market.