Agricultural Development, Economic Development

Updated Performance measurement resources for agriculture, agri-food and economic development organizations

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The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been delivering performance measurement resources and training to clients since 2011. Since that time, two guidebooks were published:

  • Measuring UP! Performance Measurement for Economic Development
  • Performance Measurement Resources for Agriculture and Agri-Food Organizations

We have combined these two resources into one updated guidebook, enhanced with specific examples where relevant.

Continue reading Updated Performance measurement resources for agriculture, agri-food and economic development organizations →
Economic Development, Food & Beverage Business Development, Uncategorized

Webinar: Exporting Food and Beverages to the United Arab Emirates for Export-ready Ontario Food and Beverage Manufacturers and Sellers

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Join OMAFRA in collaboration with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for this complimentary webinar on exporting to the UAE for Ontario’s food and beverage suppliers on January 18th, 2022 at 9:30 am to 10:45 am Toronto time.

Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturers who are export ready or thinking of exporting to the UAE will be introduced to consolidators, importers, prominent retailers, and trade commissioners who are involved in the Middle East market.

The UAE represents a growth area for Ontario food exports. Growing expat populations and fast-paced economic development along with shared interests in trade agreements are driving increased demand for high value food and beverage products.

Continue reading Webinar: Exporting Food and Beverages to the United Arab Emirates for Export-ready Ontario Food and Beverage Manufacturers and Sellers →
Uncategorized

Save the Date: ‘Infection, Prevention and Control’ Webinars

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As Ontario continues the fight against COVID-19 and its variants, we are providing valuable information on infection, prevention and control measures to support the agri-food sector.

OMAFRA is hosting a series of province-wide free webinars for producers and food and beverage processors to help them guard against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

This webinar will provide the latest information on what you need to know as an employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will learn more about:

We have invited experts from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS).

Note:

  • Producers webinar will be held on January 6 and January 18, 2022
  • Food and Beverage Processors webinar will be held on January 11, 2022

To register, please visit: ‘Infection, Prevention and Control’ Webinar.

Register for the webinar today!

Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development

Teeny Tiny Summit – Rural Resurgence Webinar Recap – From December 1, 2021

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The second Teeny Tiny Summit webinar series centered around the question that has arisen during COVID-19 – will rural communities take shelter from the pandemic storm or dance in the economic rain? To view the slide presentations & recording, visit the Teeny Tiny Summit website.

Continue reading Teeny Tiny Summit – Rural Resurgence Webinar Recap – From December 1, 2021 →
Organizational Development, Resources, Workforce

Save the Date: ‘Health and Safety in the Workplace’ Webinar for Food and Beverage Processors

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Looking to learn more about programs and supports available to protect worker/employer health and safety in the food and beverage processing sector? On December 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., OMAFRA is hosting a free webinar for processors to help them guard against the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in the workplace.

This webinar will provide valuable information on what you need to know as an employer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will learn more about:

  • Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program
    • TFW Program 2022
    • Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)
  • Food Processing Skills Canada Programs
    • Student Work Placement Program 
    • Succeeding at Work Language Stream
    • Labour Market Research 
  • COVID-19 Prevention and Control
    • Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP)
  • Supports available through OMAFRA to protect worker health and safety
    • Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program (EAWPP)
    • Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)

We have invited experts from Service Canada, Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC), and the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS).

To register, please visit: ‘Health and Safety in the Workplace’ Webinar.

Register for the webinar today!

Local Food

The Restaurants Canada’s 77th annual food service and hospitality trade show event live and in-person from February 27 – March 1, 2021 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto

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Register NOW to exhibit in the Ontario Pavilion and SAVE!

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is partnering with Restaurants Canada to provide Ontario food and beverage manufacturers the opportunity to promote their local products within the Ontario Pavilion. You can register by completing the RC Show 2022 application and submit it to theshow@restaurantscanada.org. Spaces are limited.

Some perks of exhibiting with OMAFRA:

  • 10” x10” booth and promotion package at a discount rate of $2,200 or $1,149.50 for a 5”x10” booth. Corner booths are limited and available on a first come first serve basis
  • RC Member Fee will be waived under the OMAFRA group booking
  • 6 exhibitor badges for booth staff
  • Promotion on RC Show website
  • Additional opportunity to contribute products that could be featured and sampled at the Show feature areas, media events and/or RC Hospitality Week events

If you are interested in exhibiting and being part of the Ontario Pavilion, please complete the PDF application found in OMAFRA-Ontario Pavilion Package link and email completed form to theshow@restaurantscanada.org.

For further information contact RC Canada by email at: theshow@restaurantscanada.org

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GneFE4HY2vOrTUpkaz2Y5E8YLWhFgogp/view

Economic Development

Register for the Canadian Women’s Agri-Food Virtual Trade Mission to Mexico Tuesday, March 22nd -24th 2022

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The Organization of Women in International Trade-Toronto (OWIT)* in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is hosting a virtual trade mission to Mexico.

The mission is focused on increasing exports of Canadian women-owned and women-led businesses in the agri-food sector to enter or expand into the Mexican market.

The mission will allow participants to better understand and tap into Mexico’s business opportunities by taking part in information webinar sessions, and pre-arranged virtual business-to-business meetings.

Mexico is one of the largest importers of agri-food products in the world. A country with a population of more than 130 million people imports approximately 40% of what is consumed. In 2020, it imported US$28 billion in agriculture and Agri-food products. Mexico is Canada’s third most important trading partner and a strategic trade partner in two key trade agreements, CUSMA and CPTPP.

With the geographical advantage and the Free Trade Agreements that have eliminated duties on almost all agri-food products, Mexico is a natural market for Canadian exporters.

Participants will get:
  • Pre-arranged virtual B2B meetings with qualified buyers
  • Digital Catalogue with company listing in Spanish
  • Assistance by OMAFRA, GAC and OWIT
Program details and dates:

February (dates TBC)

  • Pre-event market information webinar sessions by experts and Trade Commissioner Service-Canada

March 22

  • Prospective from Mexican industry leaders and buyers’ Pre-arranged virtual business-to-business meetings with qualified buyers or partners
  • Virtual business-to-business meetings

March 23

  • Virtual business-to-business meetings

March 24

  • Virtual business-to-business meetings
  • Debriefing with participants
Participation fee:
  • OWIT Members – $150
  • Non-Members – $250

Spaces are Limited! Deadline to register is January 15th, 2022!

Register Now: owit-toronto.ca

For questions and inquiries please contact Fabiola Sicard, Export Marketing Officer, OMAFRA at Fabiola.sicard@ontario.ca or by telephone (647) 205-7133.

*OWIT promotes trade diversification and the participation of women in international trade which contributes to Canada’s economic growth.

Resources

WEBINAR: ENHANCED AGRI-FOOD WORKPLACE PROTECTION PROGRAM

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Join OMAFRA on December 7th, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. to participate in a one-hour webinar for all eligible businesses interested in learning more about the Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program to keep workers safe against COVID-19.

The webinar will provide details about recent changes to the program and tips to apply for financial assistance. To register for the webinar, please visit: Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program Webinar.

The ministry is receiving applications until February 1, 2022, or until funding is fully allocated. In 2021-2022, the program will provide $10 million to help farmers, food and beverage processors, primary food processors, industry organizations and on-farm service providers purchase COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, personal protective equipment, and other safety supplies to better protect workers.

The $36 million program will also help eligible businesses who experience unexpected costs because of a COVID-19 outbreak among on-farm employees or due to an extended quarantine period beyond 14 days.

Register for the webinar today!

Agricultural Development, Resources

EXPANDING SUPPORT TO KEEP AGRI-FOOD WORKERS SAFE DURING COVID-19

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The Enhanced Agri-food Workplace Protection Program has expanded support to help guard against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and to promote worker health and safety. The program application deadline runs until February 1, 2022, or until funding is fully allocated.  

The program provides funding in the following two categories:

  1. Workplace COVID-19 Prevention: eligible applicants can claim up to a maximum of $50,000 cost-share funding (60 per cent of eligible expenses) to support the adoption of prevention and mitigation measures. Examples include the purchase of: COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, personal protective equipment, and other safety supplies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among agri-food workers/employees. Eligibility has been expanded to include food and beverage processors with three or more employees, agri-food industry organizations/associations, poultry catchers/vaccinators, and professional barn cleaners. 
  2. Responsive COVID-19 Outbreak Management: eligible applicants who have been impacted by outbreaks and faced extraordinary costs related to employee wages, isolation, and an extended quarantine period beyond 14 days can claim up to 100 per cent funding of eligible expenses. Expanded eligibility includes poultry catchers/vaccinators and professional barn cleaners. 

For more information about this program and eligibility, please visit the Guidelines for the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program.

Economic Development, Local Food

Serving Up Local

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The Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance (GHFFA) has been studying and practicing local food procurement in municipally operated facilities and long-term care homes. They will be sharing results of their most recent work on Tuesday December 7, 2021 at the Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Community of Practice.

The first phase of their Serving Up Local project resulted in a combined increase of 23 per cent in local food purchasingin 9 long-term care homes.

Continue reading Serving Up Local →

Regional Economic Development blog focusing on agriculture and rural economic development for Ontario