February 5, 2014
ONTARIO ORGANIC TOFU MAKES THE GRADE
Local Tofu Coming to Ontario Post-Secondary Institutions’ Menus,
Thanks to Sol Cuisine and the Greenbelt Fund
An innovative new project from Sol Cuisine Inc. means fresh, healthy dishes made from local, organic tofu will be on the plates of Ontarians.
With support from the Greenbelt Fund, and funding from the Ontario government, Mississauga-based Sol Cuisine Inc. will increase the sale of Ontario organic tofu.
“Sol Cuisine’s work is unique and original. Here we have a project to educate foodservice staff in institutions on tofu—what it is and how to incorporate it into dishes we already love. By taking this step, we support local soybean farmers. The result—more local food for Ontarians and a happier, healthier community,” says Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund.
Sol Cuisine’s project, SOLocal Protein ($59,000), will increase the sale of Ontario organic tofu by building relationships with foodservice providers and implementing a marketing and education campaign targeted toward post-secondary institutions. This includes creating tofu-friendly recipes for institutions and their foodservice providers.
"There is a real shortage of local protein options within Ontario broader public sector institutions," said Dror Balshine, President and Owner of Sol Cuisine. "Sol Cuisine is proud to provide its Ontario organic tofu as part of the solution. We appreciate the Greenbelt Fund's support of the SOLocal Protein project, which will allow us to provide a local, organic, vegan protein option to more Ontarians.”
“Sol Cuisine’s initiative will help us incorporate healthy, local food into our everyday lives. I’m proud that Ontario is supporting more local food projects like this because they support our farmers, families, and economy,” says Bob Delaney, MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville.
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.
-30-
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[a]greenbeltfund.ca
Grant Information
Sol Cuisine Inc. SOLocal Protein ($59,000)
Sol Cuisine Inc. will increase the sale of Ontario tofu by building relationships with foodservice providers and implementing a marketing and education campaign, which includes creating tofu-friendly recipes for institutions such as universities and colleges. For more information on Sol Cuisine Inc. visit solcuisine.com.