FedDev Ontario invests $12M to help southern Ontario’s agri-food companies scale

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) grants the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) $2.7 million to help launch the Unpuzzle Mentorship Program for foodtech entrepreneurs, as well as the FoodTech Now funding program. Through these programs, CFIN will help participants grow their businesses as they commercialize new products and develop advanced technologies for use in the southern Ontario food manufacturing sector.

FedDev Ontario also invests more than $9.3 million in six other agri-food companies and organizations: Agrocrop Exports, Cattleytics, Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network, Original Foods, Vel Bars and Vive Crop Protection.

“Our government is committed to supporting Canada’s agri-food sector as it drives innovation, creates jobs, and strengthens communities. Now more than ever, we need Canadian products to ensure a resilient and sustainable food supply, and by investing in key initiatives, we are empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and contribute to a prosperous future for all Canadians,” said Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Established in 2021, CFIN is a national organization with more than 6,000 members from across the food value chain, including manufacturers, processors, distributors, operators, tech companies, funders and innovators. The Unpuzzle Program is a peer mentorship initiative that will help food entrepreneurs tackle common innovation challenges. The FoodTech Now funding program will provide funding for foodtech entrepreneurs to support them in testing their innovative technologies.

Incorporated in 2001, Agrocrop Exports is a large dry-goods processor of beans, lentils and peas. Based in Bolton, Ont., it produces private-label products and provides co-packing services, supplying major retailers in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. It’ll use the $2,500,000 funding to augment its food processing capabilities.

Founded in 2014 in Hamilton, Cattleytics is a woman-led agri-tech company that merges sustainable farming practices with AI and machine learning to help farmers.

Incorporated in 2010, the Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting the development, growth and sustainability of local food and agricultural initiatives in eastern Ontario.

Established in 1947, Original Foods is a national food manufacturer of sauces, spreads, bakery fillings/icings, ready-to-drink coffee and confectionery. Original Foods will use the funding of $2,662,500 to update its Dunnville, Ont., facility with advanced automated equipment that will help the company to improve its productivity and enhance its competitiveness.

Family-owned and operated since 1986, K L Foods (o/a Vel Bars), Markham, specializes in high-quality cereal bars using premium ingredients. Vel Bars will enhance its facility by adopting new processing equipment with the funding of $1,250,000 to help the company meet rising demand for its healthy cereal snack bar products while increasing productivity.

Founded in 2006, Vive Crop Protection is an agri-tech company that develops precision chemistry solutions for the crop protection industry.

Print this page