Up to $100,000 per local agri-food marketing project is available for organizations to develop and implement marketing strategies that increase consumer demand for Ontario products.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com, Photo by Iñigo De la Maza on Unsplash
In your best Dr. Evil voice, say it: One million dollars.
That’s the amount the Ontario government is investing annually in an effort to better promote locally grown foods and apply support for the economic growth and success of the province’s agri-food sector.
Of that, up to $100,000 is available for individual marketing projects that will, it is hoped, encourage Ontarians to buy fresh, locally grown and made agri-food products.
“Ontario farmers and food processors grow and make healthy fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat, honey, eggs, dairy, maple syrup, and other processed foods throughout the year. This funding will help boost awareness of all the good things that are grown and made in Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Making it easier for consumers to recognize and buy local not only helps our farmers, food processors, families and communities, but it also helps to keep Ontario’s food supply chain strong.”
For almost 45 years Foodland Ontario has partnered with agri-food organizations to help Ontario families recognize, prepare and enjoy locally grown foods.
This targeted, cost-share funding through the Grassroots Growth Initiative complements and builds on the successful Foodland Ontario program by offering project funding directly to provincial agri-food producer organizations to develop and expand their own local marketing opportunities.
Examples of projects that could be eligible for funding include:
- branded display bins that make it easier for consumers to identify local grown fruit at grocery stores;
- a local print or digital marketing campaigns to boost awareness in target markets;
- a consumer awareness campaign and launch of a new table grape variety to Ontario consumers.
“Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector appreciates this new annual investment into local agri-food marketing,” stated Bill George, Chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association. “The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of strengthening the production of Ontario grown fruits and vegetables, which will be reinforced with a strong market for locally grown product.”
Added George Gilvesy, Chairman of Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, “The provincial government continues to step up and support the agriculture sector. The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers would like to thank Minister Thompson for access to funding that will support local greenhouse vegetable products hitting the shelves and homes of more Ontarians. This initiative furthers the Ontario advantage, supporting provincial producers and strengthening nutritious and affordable food for Ontarians.”
Ontario’s local agri-food sector is, of course, vital to the sustainability of the province’s food system. The cost-share funding that supports agri-food marketing projects for provincial agri-food producer organizations demonstrates the government’s commitment to support the sector’s growth and to strengthen the food supply chain.
To learn more and to find out if you’re eligible to apply, visit the Grassroots Growth Initiative.