Leveraging Local Food Purchases in Northwestern ON: Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Rainy River & Beyond, Dryden $65,000

Cloverbelt will expand its transportation network for local food and establish two new major local food distribution points in Emo and Thunder Bay, as well as additional smaller distribution points in smaller communities. The project aims to increase the amount of Ontario food purchased by Northwestern Ontario’s wholesale distribution, foodservice and retail markets and enhance the capacity of small and medium sized farms and processors to access mainstream distribution markets.

Integrating Distribution Food Hub Models, Smiths Falls $73,500

Two Rivers Food Hub will partner with EcoPerth/Lanark Local Flavour and a group of stakeholders in the local foods community in eastern Ontario to share resources and increase the reach of local food operations. Plans include a pilot project to introduce local food and snacks for the Upper Canada School Board’s student nutrition program.

Eat Local Grey Bruce - Infrastructure, Owen Sound $49,000

Eat Local Grey Bruce will launch a new food hub to enhance the profitability of local food producers and incubate small farms by providing access to a first wholesale market. The project will establish the necessary infrastructure, including equipment and staffing, to grow the local food presence in Grey and Bruce County particularly as part of a tourism experience.

Increasing Local Chicken and Turkey Production - Automated Packaging, Mississauga $43,000

NMK Foods will invest in an automated packaging process to increase output of its ready-to-cook halal kebabs, meatballs, specialty cuts and other product lines. This project will allow NMK to meet growing demand for locally raised, halal meats in the Greater Toronto Area.

Expanding Cookstown Select Organic Brand and Increasing Market Access for Organic Growers, Simcoe $33,000

Cookstown Greens will invest in upgraded production equipment to launch a new “Cookstown Select” line of organic vegetables targeted to parents and families who want to feed growing children health, local certified organic produce with direct lines of traceability.

Resetting the Table, Winchester $15,000

Against the Grain Farms is a small farm specializing in novel grain products, and in particular heritage grain varieties. This project will establish value chain relationships with private and broader public sector foodservice providers interested in serving high-nutrition, Ontario-grown grain products.

Investigating the Feasibility of Local Food Brokerage Program, Guelph $15,000

The Seed Community Food Hub in the Guelph Community Health Centre will develop a brokerage program to generate income to support its food security program, while partnering with local farmers and food aggregators to increase sales to community organizations and private institutions.

Embracing Entomophagy, Richmond Hill $20,000

Entomo Farms will engage chefs and restauranteurs participating in Toronto’s Winterlicious and Summerlicious festivals to experiment with new dishes using insects and insect protein and introduce Ontarians to this emerging niche product.

Improving Access of Lamb Products in Ontario, Millgrove $43,000

Beverly Creek will invest in new automation equipment and marketing tools to expand its product line. This project will also begin the process of building upon the humanely slaughtered line of lamb products to move towards introducing kosher lamb products.

Capacity Building and Investment Project, Toronto $120,000

100km Foods will expand its warehouse and cold storage capacity to scale up operations efficiently and effectively. The expansion will allow 100km Foods to continue its current growth of 40% year over year, increasing sales of Ontario produce by $3.5M.