Kenora, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Enhancing food sovereignty is critical to strengthening Canada and building a more resilient economy. To support this goal, the Government of Canada is making strategic investments in domestic agri-food business, to help ensure the needs of Canadians are being met while also creating conditions for economic growth.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced a FedNor investment of $499,780 in the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) to support the development of the Food Enterprises Advancement and SME Transformation (FEAST) program.
FEAST supports the establishment of a regional food hub that will serve the region by providing targeted financial assistance, advisory services, access to equipment, and educational opportunities to agri-food entrepreneurs and businesses. This project is intended to help start-up and small scale manufacturers graduate to the next level of production.
The regional food hub's services will help users access new retail channels and food service contracts, while increasing readiness to access new export markets. Participating entrepreneurs will have access to a manufacturing space, including a commercial kitchen, refrigerators, and packing and storage areas. In addition, participants will have access to skill development opportunities and business advisory support delivered by NOIC staff and industry experts. FEAST's supports are designed to reduce barriers to scale and compliance, helping food manufacturers across the region bring products to market more efficiently. The regional food hub project will be delivered over three years and will be located at the Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI). SGEI's partnership in this project ensures a strong focus on supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and providing culturally relevant support.
This project is expected to directly support nearly 20 small and medium-sized enterprises, resulting in business growth, increased exports, and enhanced food sovereignty in the region. By helping to fill co-packing service and storage infrastructure gaps, the regional food hub will remove growth obstacles for agri-food entrepreneurs and businesses in Northwestern Ontario.
