$1.5 million invested to increase agri-food sector diversity

The Agriculture Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (AWEDI) received $1.5 million to assist minority groups in starting and building agri-food sector businesses.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) funds allow AWEDI to grant up to $100,000 to support business ventures by primary agricultural producers and food processors from under-represented groups.

This includes Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, people with disabilities, youth, women and members of French linguistic minority communities.

Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, said the funding dovetails into the Grow Ontario Strategy to “unlock the full potential of the entrepreneurial talent of our diverse communities to strengthen our $51 billion agri-food sector.

He added that cultivating new talent in the growing agri-food sector drives long-term prosperity and innovation while creating good-paying jobs.

AWEDI will accept applications from organizations, research bodies, municipalities or Indigenous communities from Oct. 8 until the close of Dec. 3. Projects must support under-represented groups with better access to financing, business spaces and equipment to grow or process food products.

“Making sure we have greater diversity in the agriculture and agri-food sector helps to create a more competitive, inclusive and resilient food system,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.