Guelph, ON (February 21, 2024) – Bioenterprise Canada Corporation is pleased to announce the successful applicants for round five of the FoodShift program. Eighteen (18) southern Ontario food and beverage processors have been awarded funding to partner with clean technology organizations for process optimization assessments and technology adoption projects, encouraging more sustainable operations and a smaller carbon footprint for the industry.
The Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), is supporting Bioenterprise with a $2,950,000 investment to deliver the FoodShift program. Recipients will receive up to $50,000 in non-repayable matching funds to identify and address inefficiencies in their food and beverage processing operations that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Bioenterprise’s delivery of the FoodShift program demonstrates the powerful result of bringing industry and government together to support innovative and committed entrepreneurs,” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Congratulations to this round of recipients – I can’t wait to see what you do next as you lead the next generation of clean technologies in the food and beverage sector.”
“The future of Canada’s agri-food industry relies on the ability of businesses to experiment with better technologies and processes today,” says Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph. “With support from Bioenterprise and its FoodShift program, this next group of participating companies will help bring Canada that much closer to a brighter and cleaner tomorrow.”
“When we launched this program in partnership with FedDev Ontario five rounds ago, we couldn’t have imagined the quality and impact that was waiting in southern Ontario’s food processing sector,” says Dave Smardon, CEO at Bioenterprise. “The sustainable practices and technologies in this final round of recipients are directly addressing Canada’s carbon and environmental footprint while creating jobs and business growth in one of Ontario’s strongest industries. Congratulations to our successful applicants; you are leading Canada towards net-zero emissions and global commercial leadership.”
As Bioenterprise Canada expands its national membership program, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, matchmaking initiatives like the FoodShift program, offered in key regions, enhance ties between industry and funding. In southern Ontario, the FoodShift program connects clean technology organizations with industrial end-users in food and beverage processing. Ultimate recipients are employing funds to embrace greater automation and integrate technologies that reduce waste and energy while improving process efficiencies throughout the agri-food value chain. FoodShift is intended to act as a catalyst for the transition to a green economy that will help reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
We would like to congratulate the following program recipients:
African Bronze Honey (Cardinal, ON)
Arterra Wines Canada (Niagara Falls, ON)
Bench Brewing (Beamsville, ON)
Chudleigh’s Limited (Milton, ON)
Conagra Brands (Dresden, ON)
Dennis’ Horseradish (Delhi, ON)
Detour Coffee (Hamilton, ON)
Ferrero Canada (Brantford, ON)
FGF Brands (North York, ON)
Fruition, Fruits and Fills (Toronto, ON)
Gay Lea Foods (Hamilton, ON)
Give & Go Prepared Foods (Etobicoke, ON)
Haven Brewing (Peterborough, ON)
Highbury Canco (Leamington, ON)
Jamieson Wellness Inc. (Windsor, ON)
Kinsip House of Fine Spirits (Bloomfield, ON)
Maple Lodge Farms (Brampton, ON)
Maidstone Coffee (Toronto, ON)
Join our mailing list for updates on the FoodShift program or contact Bioenterprise Canada today to explore the other programs and commercialization support services being offered nationally.
Media Contacts
Liza Knill, Program Coordinator, Bioenterprise Canada, liza.knill@bioenterprise.ca
Edward Hutchinson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
About Bioenterprise Canada
Bioenterprise is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine. As the country’s national agri-technology focused commercialization accelerator, Bioenterprise uses its 20 years of industry experience and its national and international network of experts, mentors, funders, advisors, researchers, government and industry partners to help small and medium-sized agri-food businesses connect, innovate and grow.
Since its inception in 2003, Bioenterprise has supported over 2,500 innovative ag-tech companies, helped launch 2,000 technologies, generated $285 million in follow-on investment in Canadian agriculture and agri-food, and yielded a 200:1 return on invested dollars. The organization has six locations across Canada and more than 350 members and partners nationwide.
About FedDev Ontario
For 14 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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