Ontario’s Dairy Processing Sector Gets $7.18M Investment

TORONTO — The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $7.18 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) in 70 projects across the province to enhance and modernize dairy processing capacity and food safety. The funding from this initiative, which is cost-shared by the dairy sector, is expected to generate approximately $22 million in total capital investments.

The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative is over 90 per cent subscribed and still accepting applications from cow, goat, sheep and water buffalo milk processors. Successful applicants can receive up to $200,000 in cost-shared funding to enhance processing efficiency and food safety in their facilities. The funding can be used to help cover the costs of new or refurbished equipment, one-time training and more.

“There’s no doubt that our dairy processors work hard to ensure Canadians can enjoy their top-quality products” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food. “With funding from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this initiative is helping processors make important updates to their facilities so they can meet the growing demand for their products.”

Examples of projects include:

• Four All Ice Cream in Waterloo will receive up to $200,000 for a walk-in cooler with blast freezer/refrigeration capabilities, a pasteurizer with accessories, and a plate-heat exchanger.
• Max and Lion Production in Peel Region will receive up to $119,692 to increase production capacity, improve product quality, reduce waste, and improve monitoring and traceability with a liquid filler machine, a high-pressure homogenizer for kefir production, and a new metal detector.
• Ontario Water Buffalo Co. in Hastings County will receive up to $53,925 to increase production and improve food safety through the acquisition of a batch freezer, heat combination machine, and a pasteurizer.
• Sargent Family Dairy in the Durham Region will receive up to $40,609 to improve efficiency and reduce manual strain through the purchase and installation of a mechanical curd mill and a cream separator.

“Ontario’s dairy processors have shown remarkable growth over the last several years and continue to produce safe, high-quality dairy products for domestic and international consumers,” said Rob Flack, minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness. “The success of the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative underscores the health and vitality of Ontario’s growing dairy industry and its ability to rapidly seize opportunities to modernize and increase processing capacity and food safety.”