on November 23 | in Ag News | by Jodie Deprez | with No Comments

Industry news

1. Growing Forward 2 Processors Intake – October 14 – November 3rd
2. Restaurants Canada Show, February 26 – 28, 2017, Toronto
3. Apply for the Grains Innovation Fund
4. The Food Processing Human Resources Council
5. Food for Health Research Theme
6. NEW Environmental Activity and Sector Registry process
7. Energy Efficiency
8. The 2015 Guide to Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Ontario
9. Next Agricultural Policy Framework – Share Your Experience and Ideas
10. Get Your New, Innovative Product in Front of International Buyers

Events

1. Strengthening Connections – October 21 – 23, 2016 Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville
2. Emergency Management Expo – November 14

Innovation in Food & Beverage Manufacturing

1. BLOOM’s Water & Beer portal launch

Training and Resources

1. First Steps in Exporting Seminar – October 20
2. Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT) – October 18 – 20
3. BIOFILM DETECTION AND TREATMENT – October 26
4. Niagara College Resources for the Food Industry
5. EMC (Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium) Growing Forward 2 Food Events
6. Follow OMAFRA on Twitter

Industry News

Growing Forward 2 for Processors Intake – October 14 – November 3rd

Don’t miss the deadline!! Growing Forward 2 Processors Intake – October 14 – November 3rd

More than 850 processor projects have been approved resulting in $44 million committed dollars. Don’t miss your chance to apply for this last scheduled intake opportunity under GF2’s processor stream.

What’s New?

Food & beverage processing businesses can apply for Growing Forward 2 (GF2) cost-share funding from October 14 to November 3, 2016. Applications will be accepted through the GF2 Client Portal or by FAX until 11:59pm onNovember 3rd. Technical support with the GF2 Client Portal on November 3rd will be available until 4:30pm.

How to Apply for GF2 funding assistance?

1. Sign up or update your business profile online through the GF2 Client Portal
2. Review the GF2 Cost-share Funding Assistance Processor Guide (Version 1.2)
3. Submit your completed Project Information Forms and other required documents with your application online through the GF2 Client Portal will be available until 4:30pm

Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that encourages innovation, competitiveness, market development and capacity building in Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sector.

Restaurants Canada Show, February 26 – 28, 2017, Toronto

Are you ready to be inspired? Clear your calendar for the Restaurants Canada Show 2017! Don’t miss a minute of the action, as Restaurants Canada puts the industry in the spotlight for three exhilarating days in downtown Toronto. It’s the biggest event of the year for the foodservice industry ? a one-stop marketplace that connects you with food distributors, equipment manufacturers, foodservice suppliers and dealers, among others ? saving you time and money and giving you unparalleled access to new ideas, products and services.

It takes a unique blend of passion, instinct and business savvy to succeed in this industry ? and you can’t do it alone. The Restaurants Canada Show (formerly the CRFA Show) will surround you with the people, products and ideas that will help you take your business to new heights. And, with 12,000 hospitality and foodservice pros in the house, it’s going to be a lot of fun, too.

Details on how to be an Ontario Pavilion Exhibitor at the 2016 Restaurants Canada Show coming soon!

When: February 26 – 28, 2017
Where: Enercare Centre, Toronto

Apply for the Grains Innovation Fund

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, com, oat, soybean and wheat farmers.

Under this Market Development initiative, funding is available to support development of new and reformulated products and processes which have the potential to expand the market for Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat crops or crop residues. Projects which satisfy the eligibility criteria established for this fund can receive up to 60% of the cost of the project up to a maximum of $50,000. Applications will be accepted until 4 pm Monday, October 24, 2016.

Interested companies are encouraged to contact Grain Farmers of Ontario before preparing and submitting an application to discuss your project idea.

For more information visit Grains Innovation Fund or contact Mangla Shandal at mshandal@gfo.ca or 519-767-6537 ext. 201.

The Food Processing Human Resources Council

Food employers, are you having trouble sourcing qualified workers and retaining skilled workers? We have a quick and easy solution for you!

Hire one of our trained Pre-Arrival Food Safety Management Training program graduates today!

As an employer in the Canadian food and beverage processing industry, you can also benefit from the NEW Pre-Arrival Food Safety Management Training Program! Confidently grow your team, while saving time and money on training, recruitment and retention. It’s the perfect match: you’re a food business looking for workers and our fully trained new Canadians are ready to join your team!

Reduced training costs – Reduced on-boarding time – Possible funding for hire

For more information visit HRH

Food for Health Research Theme

Research into food production, processing, distribution, retailing, access, and skills needs to be undertaken to improve Ontarians’ health, help reduce health care costs associated with diet, and improve market opportunities for Ontario growers, manufacturers and related businesses.

A call is open for Food for Health research under the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Partnership Research Program. Collaboration with industry is encouraged (Lead applicant must be from the University of Guelph).

http://www.uoguelph.ca/omafra_partnership/research/en/themespriorities/FoodForHealth.asp

NEW Environmental Activity and Sector Registry process

MOECC seeking input on EASR to address and minimize potential odour emissions.

Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is currently seeking input on a discussion paper outlining the Operating Requirements for odour in the proposed Environmental Activity and Sector Registry.

The deadline for comments is October 26, 2016. To review the policy proposal notice and provide comment visit:Discussion paper outlining the Operating Requirements for odour in the proposed Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EBR 012-8559)

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency is a Climate Change Strategy. The use of sub-meters on machinery and process lines gets you the real numbers you need to manage cost, efficiency and carbon. Watch these short clips to learn more

• Efficiency Cuts Carbon
• Measuring Utility Costs
• Planning, Targeting and Predicting
• Tackling Invisible Waste

The 2015 Guide to Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Ontario

Are you looking for help to start, manage or grow your food business? Check out OMAFRA’S 2015 Guide to Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Ontario! This valuable resource can help entrepreneurs and existing companies learn more about growing and operating a food and beverage business in Ontario.

Visit the OMAFRA website today to download a PDF of the guide in English or French

Already using this resource? Let us know what you think. Please complete this short survey today!

• English version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z3NSXJS
• French version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SDVGCFD

Next Agricultural Policy Framework – Share Your Experience and Ideas

Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is the current federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) agricultural policy framework and will be in place until 2018. Now at the midway point of GF2, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is leading discussions in the development of the next framework and are seeking feedback to better understand where GF2is working well, and where challenges could be addressed.

They want to hear about your experience as they work with provincial and territorial governments to develop the next framework. Your feedback is important and will help shape the direction of future policy and programs for the agriculture and agri-food sector.

There will be more opportunities to share your ideas and priorities in the coming months.

Submit your feedback by November 30, 2016 online through the consultation questionnaire.

To share your ideas about the Next Agricultural Policy Framework visit: Growing Forward 2

Get Your New, Innovative Product in Front of International Buyers

Ontario Food Exports (OFEX) wants to hear from Ontario food and beverage manufacturers! OMAFRA is promoting new, innovative food products from Ontario’s world-class food and beverage manufacturers to buyers around the world in a new publication called “What’s New from Ontario!” Product highlights will be grouped into perishable, shelf-stable, and health and wellness categories.
You can send a brief description of your innovative new product(s) along with a high-resolution photo to Cheryl Chlebus, Client Information Coordinator, at Cheryl.Chlebus@ontario.ca for the opportunity to be featured!

Events

Strengthening Connections – October 21 – 23, 2016 Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville

If you are a stakeholder in Ontario’s meat and poultry processing sector, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to strengthen connections with peers and key decision makers in the industry.

You are invited to attend OIMP’s biennial conference and retreat this fall in beautiful Huntsville, Ontario. The weekend begins on Friday October 21st with An Evening with Handtmann in the Maple Pub. On Saturday there will be a line-up of speakers, complemented by TableTALK, a tabletop tradeshow, Dave Tiller’s People’s Choice snack stick and jerky competition, and Ontario’s Finest Butcher 2016 final round. The banquet takes place on Saturday night and the conference concludes Sunday morning with a motivational speaker.

For more information please visit http://www.oimp.ca/get-involved/the-meating-place/.

Emergency Management Expo – November 14

Research and Innovation Branch is hosting the Emergency Management Expo Nov. 14 at 1 Stone Rd. Guelph.

Learn about the exciting research funded under the OMAFRA-UofG partnership and network with people from across the emergency management community.

For more details contact Kelly Jackson at Kelly.Jackson@ontario.ca

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) under the new 10-year Agreement with the University of Guelph (U of G), established seven research themes within the Research Program.

Innovation in Food & Beverage Manufacturing

BLOOM’s Water & Beer portal launch

Water & Beer is a practical online platform designed to make it easier for craft brewers to be good neighbours and water stewards.

BLOOM developed Water & Beer in collaboration with the Ontario Craft Brewers association, individual craft breweries, technology and solution providers, and government agencies.

The platform is the “go to” resource for craft brewers who recognize that water management is important for their business, their customers and their communities.

Designed around “why, what and how”, craft brewers are guided through the “ins and outs” of their water use – making it easier for them to adopt sustainable water management practices that save money and protect the environment.

Visit the platform at: waterandbeer.ca

Training and Resources

First Steps in Exporting Seminar – October 20

Hamilton Economic Development, the Canada-Ontario Export Forum, Ontario Food Exports, and Western Union invite you to join them for a special workshop focused on exporting opportunities!

Date: October 20, 2016
Time: 8:00am -11:30 am
Place: Best Western Premier C Hotel, 1530 Stone Church Road E, Hamilton, ON (Castelli AB Room)

These events are provided at no cost to sector manufacturers!

For more information: Please contact EMC’s Bren de Leeuw, Director -Food, Beverage, Bio & Ag Program byemail or by phone: 519-372-6009

Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT) – October 18 – 20

IFPT will be running our Effective Cleaning and Sanitation Course October 18-20 2016. This course will give students in-depth knowledge of effective Cleaning and Sanitation in the food processing industry.

The IFPT is located at the Conestoga College campus in Cambridge. The institute offers programs and courses for industry in technology, supervision, sanitation, and food safety. They also offer post-secondary programs in food processing and the in-school training portion of the process operator – food manufacturing apprenticeship program.

For additional information please visit www.IFPT.ca

BIOFILM DETECTION AND TREATMENT – October 26

The conditions under which biofilm develops in food manufacturers is critical when producing meat products, both fresh and ready to eat that are produced in sanitary conditions. Contamination of the product through biofilms can negatively affect your product’s quality, shelf life and potentially the safety of the product. This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the conditions under which biofilm develops in food manufacturers, understanding the risks to the food and how to detect and remove biofilms.

For more information, visit http://www.oimp.ca/programs-services/oimp-workshops-webinars/.

Niagara College Resources for the Food Industry

Niagara College has many programs and resources to support the food industry:

The college’s trailblazing Canadian Food and Wine Institute is home to the first commercial teaching winery and teaching brewery in Canada

DO YOU HAVE NEW PROJECT IDEAS?

Niagara College’s Research & Innovation conduct projects that provide innovative solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. In food and beverage innovation, they work on many projects, including recipe improvement or development, nutritional labelling, shelf-life analysis, sensory testing and regulatory assistance.

With funding support from various provincial and federal agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners leap forward in the marketplace.

For more information, contact Kristine Canniff, Research Project Manager, at kcanniff@niagaracollege.ca 905-641-2252 x 4198 OR visit us at www.ncinnovation.ca

EMC (Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium) Growing Forward 2 Food Events

EMC is providing fully funded productivity training at no cost to food, beverage, bio- and ag-processors and those who directly support the food industry across the province.

Visit the EMC website for information on upcoming 2016 events.

This EMC tool and EMC training initiatives are supported by Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial territorial initiative.

Follow OMAFRA on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter: @OMAFRA to stay up-to-date on the latest news, events, and more!

« Announcing 2017 Farmland Health Incentive Program (FHIP) Recruiting For New Members For The Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council »