New program will see more local food products in Northern Ontario

Farmers or agri-food businesses now have a chance to access up to $5,000 in funding through a new program to purchase equipment to create new agriculture or food products.

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network and Eat Local Sudbury Cooperative announced April 24 the Sustainable New Agricultural Products (SNAP) program will provide a total of $290,000. The funds are provided by the Northern Ontario Development program through FedNor and Industry Canada. It will be administered by a group of organizations across the north.

Eat Local Sudbury Cooperative in Sudbury will field applications locally, and encourages local food and agricultural producers to apply for funding.

“In Northern Ontario, many agriculture and food businesses have difficulty funding equipment purchases for value-added processing,” said Errol Caldwell, co-chair, Rural Agri-Innovation Network. “SNAP will provide funding to support this need, and result in more agriculture and food products being produced in the north.”

SNAP will be accepting applications until Sept. 1. Applications will be reviewed continuously during this period, to ensure equipment purchases can be made in time for the upcoming growing season.

“We understand this is a busy time of year for farmers and agricultural businesses, but SNAP is a great opportunity to purchase equipment for the growing season that can increase business and sales,” said Peggy Baillie, managing director, Eat Local Sudbury Cooperative.

For more information on SNAP, including application forms and contact information, visit www.rainalgoma.ca/SNAP.