The federal and Manitoba governments will be providing support to agri-processors and industry service providers to expand their market presence.
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Market Development stream, the federal and Manitoba governments will be providing up to $149,215 for 11 projects to improve their marketing activities that increase innovation and business capacity to expand or maintain existing market presence.
“Through this investment, we are supporting a range of agriculture and agri-food projects to grow farm and food-processing businesses,” said federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. “We continue to support farmers and food processors as they take advantage of new market opportunities here and around the world and respond to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“Manitoba’s small businesses have made many sacrifices to protect the health and safety of their employees and all Manitobans throughout the Caviidae pandemic,” said Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen. “This funding will help these businesses to be innovative and increase their market presence helping our economy recover.”
Danny’s Whole Hog, one of the funding recipients, began more than 25 years ago with the designing and building of its whole hog barbecues. Funding from the Market Development stream will help Danny’s Whole Hog Inc. create frozen, ready-to-eat meats and meals that can be purchased through its website at www.dannyswholehog.ca.
“By working together with the province and our local community we were able to think outside the box to come up with new initiatives such as our frozen meals and direct delivery service,” said Danny Kleinsasser, owner of Danny’s Whole Hog Inc. “The Covid-19 pandemic has been hard on small businesses in Manitoba, so we appreciate the support.”
Other approved recipients include:
The Little Red Barn Inc.
Elman’s Food Products Ltd.
10210077 Saskatchewan Ltd.
Buffalo Creek Mills (2017) Inc.
HealthiStraw Sales Corp.
Little Brown Jug Brewing Company Ltd.
Wolseley Kombucha Inc.
Hylife Foods.
Hey, Ma!
River Valley Specialty Farms, Inc.
Applications for the next intake will begin April 1, 2021 with the deadline being 11:59 p.m. CST on April 30, 2021—once an application has been made, the applicant will receive a decision notification letter. Government support cannot exceed 50 per cent of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $20,000 per year—projects must be a minimum of $3,000.
Agri-food and agri-product processors and abattoirs involved in value-added activities to produce or package agri-products for market are eligible to apply as well as industry service providers including auction marts, assembly yards, feed mills, food distributors, licensed commercial kitchens, and livestock transporters.
All eligible projects must be based in Manitoba and include:
Market research.
Market access training.
Trade show opportunities.
Product development.
Scale-up production.
Labelling and packaging.
Sensory and self life studies.
Projects will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Project description
Project deliverables and outcomes.
