It's in our ROOTs - Increasing Local Food Literacy Through Culinary Classes, Woodstock $40,000

Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation will develop a curriculum for four different culinary class offerings across Oxford County. Capitalizing on the expertise and enthusiasm of celebrity chef Murray Zehr, the classes will increase the local food literacy and skills (canning, preserving) of both youth and adults; foster relationships between consumers and producers; and result in increased local food purchases for consumption during the winter months.

Rebuilding Consumer Trust in Farmers’ Markets, Toronto $65,000

The Greenbelt Farmers' Market Network (GBFMN) will undertake a comprehensive survey of consumer attitudes towards farmers’ markets and utilize the findings to develop new marketing strategies and materials. Additionally, GBFMN will provide IT support to help Market Managers take advantage of online advertising opportunities, provide workshop-based instruction on small business enterprise tools in relation to the collected market data and engage in stakeholder work to promote a systemic shift towards vendor transparency.

Canadian A2 Milk, Loretto $78,000

Haanview Farms, will produce, sell and market A2 milk - a niche milk product that will be the first of its kind in Canada. A2 milk differs from regularly consumed and conventionally produced A1 milk due to its easier digestible protein properties that reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.

Haanview Farms will invest in milking system which identifies their A2 cows, and storage equipment to separate their A2 and A1 milk. Partner Sheldon Creek Dairy will process the milk into a variety of products.

Exploring Agronomic Practices for a Local Tigernut Industry, Guelph $22,000

The University of Guelph will conduct five small plot research trials to evaluate agronomic best practices for growing tiger nuts. The work will involve Chufa Company, an Ontario based food and beverage company, interested in supporting the development of locally grown tiger nuts to replace imports used in their food and beverage products.

Premium Organic Meats Aggregation and Marketing Hub Feasibility Study, Guelph $37,500

The Organic Council of Ontario will assess the feasibility and marketability of a premium organic meat aggregation, processing and marketing hub in Bruce/Huron. Several farmers in this region currently exceed organic standards but are selling their meat as conventional with its associated lower prices. A hub would enable the aggregation and provision of their high-end products to markets currently taken up by imports.

Strengthening the Ontario Beef Value Chain from Birth to Plate, Guelph $11,000

Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) will create an educational training video for farmers and processors on how to produce the high quality beef carcasses desired by Ontario consumers, providing beef carcass literacy training on how on-farm management practices and genetic selection impact quality and value. The video will be shared widely to BFO’s industry networks and partners, and through online channels and at meetings and events.

Tools of the Trade - Enhancing Agri-Technology for Local Producers, Elora $15,000

AgSights will help local food producers and processors expand their market access through increased uptake of enhanced online traceability tools. They will launch a redesigned Go360 bioTrack system with farmers (beef, sheep, goat, veal, poultry and dairy) and an enhanced bioLinks system with processors, enabling better documentation and tracking of production protocols.

Veritas Cafe Local Food Expansion, Waterloo $15,000

Veritas Café, owned and operated by the Graduate Students Association at Wilfrid Laurier University, focuses on local and healthy foods. Veritas Café will increase their storage and customer seating capacity, expand their menu using seasonal local food, launch an online local food marketplace and offer seminars to help students and customers increase their local food literacy.

Targeted Local Food Education and Vaughan’s Connections to the Agricultural Sector, Vaughan $15,000

The City of Vaughan will leverage city assets (Parks, Community Gardens, Libraries and Community Centres) to undertake local food programming and outreach activities. Communications content will emphasize access to local food in relation to Vaughan’s food sector businesses, Vaughan’s community garden program, and complementing information such as the York Region Farm Fresh Map.

Single-Serve Grab-n-Go Whole Milk Program for the Broader Public Sector, Loretto $25,000

Sheldon Creek Dairy will purchase equipment to scale up their pilot project to provide accessible grab-and-go single serve size 250 ml and 350 ml non-homogenized whole milk products to elementary and post-secondary schools, retirement residences, and daycares. Production of their single-serve products has reached capacity, yet demand is out pacing supply.