Eat Local Sudbury is expanding its programming throughout the north, thanks to $66,377 from FedNor.

On Sept. 20, Tony Clement visited the Larch Street grocery shop to announce the funding. The Minister of FedNor said community partners, like ELS, “diversify and strengthen the economy, and create jobs for Canadians.”

“The investment will help more than 30 farmers and agri-food producers in the region gain access to new retail and wholesale markets, which will lead to business and employment opportunities,” he said.

According to Peggy Baillie, executive director of ELS, the funding is to be used to establish a distribution network for Northern Ontario value-added food products, helping producers gain access to new markets, streamline distribution and increase sales.

Designed to consolidate products from Eat Local Sudbury’s small farm and food business members located across Northeastern Ontario, the distribution network will encourage and promote strategic alliances that will lead to economies of scale and help eliminate geographical barriers facing producers in the region.

“On behalf of Eat Local Sudbury and our partner organizations, I welcome and appreciate this strong show of support from FedNor,” said Peggy Baillie, Executive Director, Eat Local Sudbury.

“We are extremely pleased that the Government of Canada recognizes that agriculture and agri-food products have an important role to play as we look for innovative ways to create jobs, enhance productivity and grow the regional economy.”

Funding for this project was provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports initiatives that strengthen community economic development, enhance business growth and facilitate innovation throughout the region.