OREANDA-NEWS. August 25, 2016. The provincial and federal governments have invested more than \\$4.6 million in the Greater Toronto Area's food and beverage processing sector to support 110 projects that will help local businesses implement sustainable technology to expand production and meet consumer demand.

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal and federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay made the announcement today at Select Food Products Ltd. The North York food service provider received \\$350,000 to support the implementation of a state-of-the-art Enterprise Resource Planning system. This system will enable the company to better manage production, scheduling, purchasing, research and development. It will also allow Select Food Products to trace all product ingredients and make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and productivity.

These projects received funding through Growing Forward 2 — a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that supports innovation, competitiveness, market development, adaptability and industry sustainability in Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors.

This investment helps achieve the federal government's goal to create good jobs in food processing and help food processors develop new value-added products that reflect changing market tastes and market opportunities.

Investing in Ontario's agri-food sector is part of the provincial government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario's history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Quick facts

  • The food and beverage processing industry employs 246,000 Canadians – the largest manufacturing employer in Canada.
  • Growing Forward 2 was launched in 2013 and is a five-year commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments to support Canada's agri-food and agri-based products sector.
  • Since 2013, the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed more than \\$44 million to almost 850 projects for food, beverage and processor businesses through Growing Forward 2 cost-shared funding.
  • Select Food Products has been manufacturing sauces and condiments for food service, retail, industrial and private-label customers for 75 years – distributing in Canada, the United States and globally.

Quotes

"This investment helps businesses stay ahead of modern technologies and consumer trends, while creating jobs and growing the middle class. Our government is committed to helping food and beverage processors, Canada's largest sector of manufacturing employers, create good jobs and take advantage of emerging market opportunities domestically and abroad."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"By investing in food and beverage processors in the Greater Toronto Area, including Select Food Products Limited., we are helping businesses become more competitive and grow to expand their markets both here at home and abroad. We are committed to working with food and beverage processors that have the vision and determination to help Ontario's agri-food sector meet the Agri-Food Growth Challenge of doubling the sector's growth and creating 120,000 new jobs by 2020."

- Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"This financial support was instrumental to our company implementing a state-of-the-art Enterprise Resource Planning system. With this system we can fully trace all ingredients; manage production, scheduling, purchasing, finance, research and development; and make data-driven decisions. This funding allows us to increase our productivity, grow our business, hire more people and better support our customers and suppliers."

- Andrew Mitchell, President, Select Food Products Ltd.