Perspective Ontario - Food and Beverage

ONTARIO FOOD & BEVERAGE PROCESSING SECTOR

FOOD & BEVERAGE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

ONGOING UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES

END-TO-END SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS

SOURCING, RAW MATERIALS, PACKING & SHIPPING

ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES MADE EASY OVER 49,000 FARMS AND 200 COMMODITIES WITHIN ONTARIO

Plant Your Business

Middlesex Roots in County

Middlesex County is a place an increasing number of agribusinesses are calling home. The sector represents more than a quarter of all

enterprises. The combination of production, equipment manufacturing, tourism, animal care and food processing makes agri-business the area’s largest employer; generating more than $1.5 billion in economic impact each year.

Conveniently located along the 401 and 402 series highways, agri-investment not only thrives in Middlesex because of market access to the County’s population but the added populations of the City of London, GTA, and the midwestern United States. With the sector accounting for a total of 20% of local employment, it pays to have post-secondary powerhouses like Western University and Fanshawe College nearby; providing a large selection of well educated potential workers.

A contributing factor to the success of agri-business in Middlesex is the County’s involvement as a member of the Ontario Food Cluster assisting in the promotion of agri-food in Southern Ontario on the global stage. Perfect for planting business roots, the County is home to vast tracts of some of the most fertile farmland in Canada, allowing for large harvests of an impressive variety of crops.

Agri-business enterprises in Middlesex County are on the cutting edge of sustainability and environmental-friendly technologies and processes, minimizing their carbon footprint and ensuring the region will continue to be the heartland of agricultural production in Ontario for generations to come.

Your Food and Beverage Business

To onTario, Canada: CulTivaTe suCCess in one oF norTh ameriC a’s leading regional ClusTers

The food and beverage processing industry in Ontario offers many advantages for businesses. With an abundant agricultural base, manufacturers can access a wide variety of raw materials as well as local farmers for direct sourcing. The large consumer base in the province provides an opportunity to gain exposure and reach potential customers easier than other regions. Additionally, the educated workforce in Ontario ensures that businesses have access to skilled and knowledgeable staff who are able to keep up with the demands of the industry.

Ontario has also invested heavily in its infrastructure over recent years, making it one of the most reliable transport networks in Canada. This reliable transport network allows goods produced by food and beverage manufacturing companies to reliably reach their destination quickly, ensuring timely delivery of products. Furthermore, operating costs tend to be lower in Ontario due to the competitive tax and wage structures, giving businesses an added incentive to open or expand their operations here.

e asy access to markets

Ontario is an ideal destination for foreign investment, especially to the food and beverage sector. With access to an impressive 460 million North American consumers, Ontario provides unique business opportunities from various geographical locations. Over 40 percent of those consumers live within a day’s drive of Toronto, the largest city in Canada. Ontario offers both the availability and proximity of customers that companies need to be successful in the global market.

integrated Transportation ne tworks

Ontario is the ideal place for food and beverage companies to invest and grow. The province’s efficient transportation infrastructure helps transport their products quickly and conveniently to different markets, domestically, as well as internationally.

Ontario has access to four international airports as well as many regional airports, high-speed highways, and rail and marine crossings that contribute to Ontario’s success in reaching global markets. As a part of Ontario’s economy, having access to these modern transportation systems is integral for businesses operating within the food and beverage sector, allowing them to attract foreign investors with ease.

sk illed Talent pool

Ontario’s Food and Beverage Sector is highly sought after, making it a popular destination for foreign investment. The sector has the second-largest cluster in North America, with a deep talent pool of post-secondary graduates who hold degrees in engineering, engineering technologies/related fields, and agriculture and agricultural sciences. Over 58% of Ontario’s population holds some form of post-secondary education – the highest percentage in the OECD – while

Ontario’s incredible diversity gives employers access to over 200 languages. Ontario also offers an excellent immigration program that helps employers attract and retain global talent.

This unique combination makes Ontario a fantastic place to set up business in the Food and Beverage Sector.

The food and beverage processing industry in Ontario has many advantages that make it an attractive option for businesses. With access to local farmers and raw materials, businesses can ensure consistent quality and freshness of their products. The abundance of consumers provides quick and wide exposure for companies entering the market.

Furthermore, the educated and skilled workforce in the province provides employees that are knowledgeable and able to keep up with demands. All these aspects mean that Ontario is an excellent region for businesses wanting to enter the food and beverage processing industry.

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1-866-779-7712 | info@perspective.ca | perspective.ca

Publisher, CeO Steve Montague

ViCe-PresiDeNT Ed Martin

eDiTOrial CONTribuTOrs Meredith MacLeod, Sheetal Pinto, Catherine Gaudreau, Aurora Orchard, Nayha Hamid

PerspectiveTM Ontario was produced independently of the Province of Ontario. Contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Perspective Marketing Inc. The publisher is not liable for any views expressed in the articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the Province of Ontario.

For additional copies please email info@perspective.ca www.perspective.ca

Bioengineering FaCiliT Y produCing alTernaTive proTein To esTaBlish innovaTion huB For Cellular agriCulTure in BurlingTon.

The Cultivated B, a bioengineering company establishes a $50 million manufacturing operation in Burlington ontario.

The arrival to Burlington of The Cultivated B will put the city at the heart of a critical new biotechnology cluster in Canada.

The bioengineering company, a subsidiary of Germany’s InFamily Foods, develops technology for cellular agriculture.

The Cultivated B is making a $50-million investment in a manufacturing and innovation centre that will lead the way on the development of alternative proteins for food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

The 130,000-square-foot facility in Burlington is The Cultivated B’s first investment abroad.

Canada was appealing because of its supply of domestic and international talent, its open and welcoming immigration policies, its support for genomic engineering, and its political stability and free trade agreements, says CEO and co-founder Hamid Noori.

He credits the hard work of Canadian trade commissioners Albert Lee and Detlef Engler for making Canada’s case so convincing.

After a thorough location analysis, the company settled on Burlington, due to the high concentration of universities and colleges nearby, its proximity to

the huge market in the United States, its high quality of life and strong regional transit.

“We looked all over the Greater Toronto Area and in other nearby municipalities. There is something special about Burlington,” says Noori.

The Cultivated B purchased the former L3 Harris building, the secondlargest industrial building in Burlington, and is currently renovating it. There has been strong support for the project from city staff and local politicians, says Noori, including an executive response group at city hall and a dedicated concierge team through Burlington Economic Development.

“We have received the best treatment from the City that we could have hoped for. They have been incredibly helpful in every way. That has been so important to us. It can be very time consuming and expensive to expand to new countries. But the City of Burlington has been wonderful to us. I would recommend anyone to do business in Burlington,” says Noori.

“Burlington is a vibrant, friendly city that balances rural beauty and urban living with a small-town feel,” says Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.

“Companies choose to base their operations in Burlington because it’s where their employees want to be. We’re also close to Toronto and the U.S. border, and you’ll find 20 post-secondary institutions that are a one-hour drive from us. Our business community is strong, and The Cultivated B is a perfect example of the type of industry leaders you’ll find here. If you are considering relocating or expanding your business in Ontario, I would like to personally invite you to discover Burlington and everything we have to offer. You won’t be disappointed.”

Noori says the food industry is in the early stages of a transformation, due to shifting concerns about sustainability and animal welfare.

“We are working to try to shape that change, not react to it.”

The Cultivated B produces the bioreactors necessary to produce plant-based and cell-based alternative protein sources through the addition of sugar, amino acids and oxygen.

“There is a bottleneck in the production of these proteins that has to be addressed before we can scale up manufacturing. I make the analogy of this being like the Yukon gold rush. Everyone is out there trying to find the golden nugget. We are selling the shovels.”

Through it’s a complex and technical process, the Cultivated B’s proprietary bioreactors are simple to use, says Noori.

“Our philosophy is pioneering technology for all. We want to be landscape shapers.”

The company is collaborating with the government-funded non-profit Ontario Genomics to ramp up domestic cellular agriculture production. A 2021 study

found that Canada could realize revenues of $12.5 billion per year and create up to 142,000 jobs.

The Burlington facility, expected to open sometime in the first quarter of 2023, will work with start-ups, small businesses and research organizations on proofs of concepts and scaling up production within a 20,000-square-foot innovation centre.

“To the best of my knowledge, we will have the world’s biggest open-access bioreactor at 25,000 litres,” says Noori. “That will put Canada, Ontario and Burlington right at the forefront of cellular agriculture. Burlington will become one of the world’s hubs for this technology.”

The Burlington facility will also house PreFer Industries, a subsidiary of The Cultivated B., that focuses on precision fermentation. This technology will transform a low-value resource, like grains, into something of high value as an alternative protein.

The Cultivated B will employ 200 in Burlington once fully operational.

To learn more about Burlington, visit investburlington.ca. You can also contact the Burlington Economic Development team directly at +1 (905) 332-9415

From left to right: Stephen Lund, CEO, Toronto Global; Hans-Ewald Reinert, Owner, InFamily Foods; Dr. Wolfgang Kuehnl, Owner, InFamily Foods; Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Hamid Noori, CEO and Co-founder, The Cultivated B; Raphael Heiner, Co-founder, The Cultivated B; Natalie Pierre, Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington; Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair; Paul Sharman, City and Halton Regional Councillor for Burlington; Nathalie Béchamp, Chief Investor Services, Invest in Canada

planTing The seed: vasT C apaCiT Y For Business groW Th in onTario

For over a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has undertaken imperative research on Ontario’s most pressing policy issues, advocating for solutions that will foster the growth of Ontario businesses and lead to the creation and increase of jobs in the province. The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO), was established in 2003 as the provincial professional leadership organization for food and beverage manufacturers across Ontario.

According to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing is a major driver of Ontario’s economy. With 65% of product from Ontario farms flowing through one of the 4,000 businesses that make up this sector, it is critical to our food supply chain. As of 2020, F&B manufacturing directly employed more Ontarians and contributed more to the province’s GDP than any other type of manufacturing.

A report commissioned by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce takes a look at Brampton as a case study and breaks down how to attract and retain talent in the sector and what can be done to fulfill the existing and projected gap.

Ontario is Canada’s top F&B manufacturing hub and the third largest in North America. Ontario’s rich agricultural base, large consumer population,

educated workforce and cluster of research institutions fortify its competitive advantage. As of 2020, food and beverage manufacturing directly employed more Ontarians than any other manufacturing sector, including automotive, seeing a three percent job growth from 2018 to 2020. Made up of over 4,000 businesses, the F&B manufacturing sector in Ontario includes start-ups, small to medium-sized businesses, and multinational enterprises.

The reason the Ontario Chamber of Commerce decided to use Brampton as their ideal geography for this study is for three main reasons; A significant F&B manufacturing industry, proximity to key institutions and access and relevance to international customers. The interview conducted by the OCC between December 2021 and March 2022 identified areas for job seekers’ interests, Ontario is developing.

1) Transit and Transportation

2) Immigration and language skills

3) Housing, childcare and the cost of living

4) Perceptions of the sector and the nature of work

5) The changing labor market.

Principal Manufacturing Statistics

Total revenue - thousand $

Food manufacturing [311]

Animal food manufacturing [3111]

Grain and oilseed milling [3112]

Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing [3113]

Source - https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/manufacturing-industry-statistics-food-beverage-and-tobacco-manufacturing

The OCC explored these areas in great detail and during these interviews, identified potential steps stakeholders can consider to address each theme and close the projected talent gap in Ontario’s F&B manufacturing sector. Automation is broadly recognized as an innovation that will continue to change the nature of work in the food and beverage industry. It presents an opportunity for companies to increase productivity and shift employment away from physically demanding and menial tasks, focusing talent on higher-skilled, more knowledge-intensive roles.

Dominic Barton, Chair, Advisory Council on Economic Growth quoted, “We’re picking one [industry] in particular, which is agriculture and food,

because it can employ a lot of people, there’s a lot of innovative technology around it and huge demand. There’s going to be a massive demand for food, for protein, over the next 10 to 20 years. It’s also a big employment provider, and we could generate even more employment- and high-skilled employment- because of technology.”

According to the research conducted by OCC in 2020, life sciences, food and consumer goods manufacturers in North America adopted robots at a faster pace than automotive manufacturers for the first time. Year-over-year orders in food and consumer goods specifically increased 56 percent.

urBan aCCess and rolling CounTrYside: Farm-ToConsumer marke Ts a sTrengTh in durham region

Durham Region sits along the eastern side of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), stretching out over urban and rural areas and nestled between three lakefronts. If you’re looking for a location with great access to customers—both local food enthusiasts and major food distributors—Durham Region is it. Agri-food businesses in Durham thrive because an economic mega-region is at their gates.

Durham Region is also in the Golden Horseshoe—that magic economic zone with rich, fertile soil— around Lake Ontario. Durham has the highest number of farms, acres of farmland and gross farm receipts in the GTA. In fact, Durham has as many as one quarter of the 5,000 farms in the entire Golden Horseshoe.

Production in Durham includes beef and dairy, poultry and egg, sheep and goat, oilseed and grain, vegetable and fruit, and greenhouse, vertical farms, nursery and floriculture. Durham Region’s farmers are known for adopting cuttingedge technology; state-of-the-art farming practices; and leading the way on research and innovation. Durham’s location on major transportation corridors makes it effective to distribute these goods to major urban areas.

Fresh to market

Durham Region’s location makes it part of Canada’s dominant urban economy, a metropolitan area that ranks fifth in population among Canadian and American mega-regions. The GTA consistently occupies the positions of global rankings for livability, safety, and the best and easiest places to do business. Durham Region offers access to more than 135 million consumers within a day’s drive.

Given Durham’s proximity to consumer markets, and numerous transportation channels including the Port of Oshawa and multiple 400-series highways, Durham Region is in a great position to be a leader in supplying our urban markets and province with agri-food products.

l ocal food economy

Durham Region has a strong local food movement inspired by the diversity of locally grown and processed food options. With a current population of more than 700,000, the region is booming with an expected population of more than 1.3 million by 2051. This is a population with demonstrated interest in the local food movement, and food producers have incredible market potential right at their gates.

Based on the 2021 census, 291 farms reported direct-to-consumer sales of agricultural products, which include both unprocessed products such as fruit and honey, as well as value-added products like preserves and cider. Many farms sell directly through stands or gate sales, as well as pick-your-own and

community supported agriculture. There’s a strong community of farmers markets in Durham.

gates open

Invest Durham’s Agriculture and Rural economic development and Tourism teams work together with Durham Farm Fresh to produce an annual event known as Gates Open, bringing additional attention to farms that have on-farm diversified uses.

A recent participant is Two Blokes Cider. Founded on a family farm, the cidery’s orchard contains more than 2000 apple trees representing 10 delicious bittersharp and bittersweet cider varieties. Two Blokes produces a variety of ciders and offers flights, tours, events and live music in a bucolic rural setting. The diversification of this working farm has created jobs and increased the longterm financial sustainability of the operation.

Durham is the Apple Capital of Canada and will soon be home to 10 cideries. Durham is home to the Country’s largest apple grower and processor, Algoma Orchards—who benefit from a favourable microclimate for apple growing alongside Lake Ontario. Durham is also home to many pick-your-own orchards, an Apple Festival and a few well-known fritter destinations.

The future of farming looks delicious in durham

A demonstrated strength in urban farming and culinary talent are training nearby at Durham College’s W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. Indoor farms are expanding and innovative vertical farms have been choosing Durham Region for investment. A strong innovation community is established, momentum is building for on-farm diversified use and a growing population who support local food producers are residing nearby.

When combined, these factors mean that Durham Region is the very best choice for investment in Ontario for agri-business or related industries.

Learn more: InvestDurham.ca/agriculture

Durham College W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. Image courtesy Durham College.

Two Blokes Cider The Veggie Shack local food stand

onTario le ads The WaY in Food and Beverage r&d

In order to make sure the best produce is being put out across not only the province, but the world, Ontario has many research centres dedicated to discoveries, findings, and information valuable to bettering the agri-food sector. Spread out across Ontario cities are 14 different research centres, each one focused on different aspects of agriculture. Location Research Focus 1Research Focus 2Research Focus 3

alma Aquaculture

a rkell Equine Poultry Swine

bradford Vegetables

Cedar springs Horticulture Crops

elora Field Crops Beef Dairy

emo Field Crops

huron Field Crops

New liskeard Beef Field Crops Horticulture Crops

Ponsonby General Animal Facility Sheep

ridgetown Field Crops

simcoe Horticulture Crops

Vineland Horticulture Crops

Winchester Field Crops

Woodstock Field Crops

*Information derived from uofguelph.ca

In addition to these research centres, Ontario has several research program facilities. Niagara College hosts the Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre, where they have several services available to support innovation within the industry and the commercialization of new products and processes.1 As stated in Niagara College’s CWFI mission statement, the Innovation

Centre pairs industry partners with faculty, recent graduates, and students with the right expertise and equipment to meet any needs.

Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, is home to the Energy & Power Innovation Centre (EPIC). According to the college, Mohawk’s EPIC provides expertise and facilities to support Canadian companies with their operational challenges. 2 Though they provide multiple resources, their focus is on energy and resource management. Within EPIC is the Energy & Power Technology Access Centre (TAC), which is a national resource for the Canadian manufacturing and agri-food sector. TAC partners with companies looking to reduce operating costs through the implementation of different energy technologies.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the University of Guelph (U of G) partnered together to create the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (shortened to The Alliance). The Alliance allows OMAFRA and U of G to work together to advance research and innovation that both contributes to the success and competitiveness of the province’s agri-food sector and promotes rural economic development.3 According to the Ontario government website, the collaboration workers to usher in the next generation of agri-food innovations by supporting people, places, and programs.

The Research Program that came from The Alliance is one of the main components of the whole thing. This provides funds for research projects under two different tier levels (which determines the types of research supports provided):

Tier I “advances OMAFRA evidence-informed priorities that support strong rural communities, keep [the] food safe, and develop a prosperous, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector in Ontario”; and Tier II to V “provides subsidized access to OMAFRA-supported technicians and research centres.”4 (For more in-depth information about the tier levels, the Ontario government website has it on their website.)

Through The Alliance, several different research centres have been created that are operated and managed by U of G. Listed below are short summaries for each research centre.

• The Arrell Food Institute researches new ways to meet the needs of the growing human population.5 The Arrell Family Foundation donated $20 million toward this project with the University of Guelph.

• The Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (BIO) (soon to be the Biodiversity Institute for Conservation Synthesis) acts as “a central node to research that aims to understand the processes shaping biodiversity and to develop effective management tools to conserve and protect biodiversity.”6 Both Canadian and international investors have put forward a $90 million fund toward BIO, allowing the centre to secure their leadership within the field of DNA-based species identifications.

• The Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare conducts exactly what their title suggests. This group is the largest in North America to focus on animal behaviour and welfare. Their goal is to better the knowledge on improving animal welfare.7

• The Canadian Research Institute in Food Safety (CRIFS) is a research facility that is fully equipped with up-to-date technology and has an annual budget of $1.7 million. 8 CRIFS assists companies with scientific and technical support for processes such as troubleshooting food safety and quality issues and conducting food safety risk assessments.9

• The Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses works with U of G to coordinate existing public health research. The group plans to deliver on the food safety agenda of Food from Thought.10

• The Guelph Food Innovation Centre (GFIC) Pilot Plants and Meat Processing is a $42 million facility that is composed of three smaller-scale food manufacturing plants. Each smaller plant is equipped with cold storage capacity and all the requirements for a federally approved food plant.11

www.uoguelph.ca

GFIC works with startup agriculture companies to give them the help they need to get their products into production.12

• Lastly, but certainly not least, the Ontario Dairy Research Centre, located in Elora, Ontario, is a cutting-edge $25 million facility. The centre works to increase productivity in dairy farming while reducing inputs and enhancing animal health and wellness. This facility comes from a partnership between The Alliance, the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, and the Ontario dairy industry.13

1 https://foodandbeverageontario.ca/associate_category/research/

2 https://foodandbeverageontario.ca/associate_category/research/

3 https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-agri-food-innovation-alliance

4 https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-agri-food-innovation-alliance

5 https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/

6 https://biodiversity.uoguelph.ca/

7 https://www.uoguelph.ca/ccsaw/

8 https://foodfromthought.ca/resources/

9 https://www.uoguelph.ca/foodscience/ canadian-research-institute-food-safety-crifs

10 https://foodfromthought.ca/resources/

11 https://foodfromthought.ca/resources/

12 https://www.uoguelph.ca/foodscience/ about-guelph-food-innovation-centre-gfic

13 https://foodfromthought.ca/resources/

loC al k aWarTha l akes Cheese, gloBal reaCh: mariposa dairy achieves international success thanks to homegrown support

In the time it takes to read this article, Mariposa Dairy in Lindsay, Ontario will produce nearly 2,000 pieces of cheese at a remarkable rate of seven pieces per second. From humble and almost accidental beginnings in the 1980s, Mariposa is now the third largest goat and sheep cheese processor in North America.

It all started when co-founders Bruce and Sharon VandenBerg met in college. They married a short time later and, in 1985, bought a farm near his childhood home. It didn’t take long for people to start showing up on their doorstep, asking for goat cheese.

The previous owners of the farm raised goats and made small quantities of cheese in their kitchen. Inspired by the local interest and her background in food and nutrition, Sharon proposed starting a part-time business making cheese while also raising their young family on the farm.

“I never had a goat in my life,” says Bruce. “At the time it was very hard to find good goat cheeses in our area; you had to go down to Toronto to find it. We did our research and then talked to the bank to get some money…and that’s how we got going.”

By 1989, the VandenBergs built an 800 sq. ft. cheese plant for processing the milk supplied by their 30 goats. While it took some trial and error, with the errors mainly enjoyed by their dog (who got “really fat” as a result), Bruce and Sharon perfected their recipes and marked their first year in business with $7,000 in sales.

Today, Mariposa Dairy boasts a staff of 200 operating two facilities in the town of Lindsay, totaling over 80,000 sq. ft. of cheese production, shipping,

and warehouse space. Their products are distributed in most Canadian grocery stores under private labels and the company is growing its market share in the United States with as much as 80 per cent of their cheese ending up south of the border. To keep up with demand, the VandenBergs purchase milk from 120 farms in Ontario, gobbling up more than half of the goats’ milk produced in the province.

“When we receive the milk, we pasteurize it and let it sit in a vat for 16 hours to turn into yogurt. It takes another 24 hours to pour it into cheese bags and squeeze the moisture out,” explains Bruce. “In two days, the cheese can be made, mixed, packaged and labeled.” Bruce’s saying is, “I can have hay that’s being fed to goats on Sunday, and I can have that cheese in a store in New York by Friday.”

r ight place, right time, right partners

Along with a growing consumer market for goat dairy products since the 1990s, Bruce attributes much of Mariposa Dairy’s success to local partnerships and support within Kawartha Lakes. These include neighbours who provided interestonly loans for manufacturing equipment purchases and mentors who helped the VandenBergs learn how to structure a board of directors and deal with banks.

When it came time in 2007 to move production off the farm and into the town of Lindsay to a larger facility with more efficient equipment, a lease-to-own arrangement made the expansion financially feasible.

“If we never had those opportunities, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” says Bruce. “It’s unique thinking, outside-of-the-box opportunities and people trusting each other that makes this type of growth possible.”

One of the Vandenbergs four children became an engineer and designed their newest production plant with lots of room for continued expansion. The plant is outfitted with modern European production equipment. Funding and design support from the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) of Canada helped to bring the vision for an expanded plant to life.

Our goal is to have a carbon-neutral footprint, so the plant has been built with sustainability in mind. Measures in place include water reuse, recycling and upcycling byproducts like sugar, and the use of solar panels to power operations.

Protecting the environment is important to the VandenBergs, who have a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the Kawartha Lakes region.

“The region has been good to us. Especially during the pandemic, people realized that there’s lots of lakes and cottages in Kawartha Lakes that you can live in year round due to technology,” says Bruce. “It’s a great area to live, and once people get up here and drive around and enjoy the water, the fishing, the boating, the winter activities…why would you want to be in Toronto when you could be living up here?”

Most of Mariposa Dairy’s staff live within 30 kilometres of the plant, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

k awartha l akes Fast Facts

• Kawartha Lakes is located just 90 minutes northeast of Toronto

• Ranked 2nd in Canada (2022) for being a top city to move to by Zoocasa

“70 per cent of the money that comes into the dairy stays within 100 miles of our dairy and 80 per cent of it stays within Ontario,” says Bruce. “That’s huge. Not very many companies can say that.”

Work-life balance and family time are also important values for the VandenBergs, who close their plant on Sunday as a day of rest for themselves and their employees.

Continuing to grow

For 2023, Mariposa Dairy will focus on growing their sheep cheese product lines, which currently account for just two per cent of their production. In addition, there are efforts underway to streamline systems and improve efficiencies.

“One thing you can count on at Mariposa Dairy is that you’ll work from Monday to Saturday, but as for everything else, there is no guarantee,” says Bruce. “We are constantly trying new things.”

Their commitment to innovation is part of how the VandenBergs intend to leave a legacy of positive impact within the community.

“The business has outgrown way past what we ever thought it would,” says Bruce. “The reason we got here is we had people who believed in us, trusted us, and gave us opportunities. One of the reasons why we grow the way we are is we, in turn, are trying to give back to our staff and back to the Kawartha Lakes community. We feel that’s our responsibility. It’s been quite a go and there’s lots of potential for the future.”

• Ranked 11 th in Canada (2022) for being a top city to buy real estate by MoneySense

• 289,400 people in the regional labour force all within a one-hour drive

• 298,500 regional post secondary students from nearby Trent University, Ontario Tech University, and Durham College, as well as the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT) & Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT) at Fleming College

• 309,405 acres of agricultural land

• Access to 3 airports – one local municipal, one regional international and one full-service International Cargo offer vast connection opportunities

• Located in close proximity to major markets in both Canada and the United States, serviced by modern multi-lane highways, access to rail services, several airports and deep water seaports on Lake Ontario

Coping WiTh inCreased sTr ains on The gloBal Food supplY Chain: onTario has soluTions

The food and beverage sector in Canada is a powerhouse. It is the secondlargest manufacturing industry in the whole country, bringing in a total amount of $117.8 billion in 2019. This makes up approximately 17% of total manufacturing sales and about 2% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).1 Ontario accounts for 62% of Canada’s total sales (which is approximately $47 billion)2 and is actually one of the largest food and beverage sectors in all of North America, housing 4,675 businesses.3 In Toronto alone, the Food and Beverage sector is responsible for employing more than 64,000 workers with annual wages equalling about $3.2 billion. Additionally, 50% of the Food and Beverage workforce in Ontario is made up of sector businesses within the city of Toronto.

Ontario is positioned well relative to the market. Located in the heart of North America, which is home to some of the largest urban centres in the

world, Ontario has access to the entire North American market, including the United States’, which is worth $20 trillion. As well, Ontario has an expansive transportation network made up of 4 international and 300 regional airports, 250,000 kilometres of roads and highways, a dozen border crossings, and the 6th most internationally connected airport in the world. 4 There are plenty of options to get the products to and from where they need to go. Ontario’s Food and Beverage manufacturers also have trade agreements set in place with 50 countries across the world. This includes the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the CanadaUnited States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Ontario wants to ensure that the food and beverage sector continues to grow and flourish. In order to achieve their 10-year goal of increasing food growth, production, and manufacturing in Ontario by a certain percentage, the province

has put forth a $25 million Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund (SAPF) to enable farmers and processors to grow their businesses. Additionally, as stated on the Ontario Government page, these are a few of the actions they are planning to take to get closer to their goal:

• Partner with Supply Ontario to promote, track, and report agri-food procurement by Broader Public Sector Institutions

• Continue to improve service standards for agri-food businesses and reduce red tape by modernizing licensing processes with accessible, online application forms and electronic payments

• Invest $10 million in measures such as risk assessments through the Food Security and Supply Chain Fund to strengthen the supply chain

• Work with industry and build on the success of the SAPF to enhance processing capacity in Ontario through investments in major expansions and modernization of food processing facilities

• Promote open trade efforts and increase international and interprovincial market access for Ontario products

• Increase research partnerships and joint investments with the private sector

By investing in and supporting research and production of the food and beverage industry, Ontario will enhance their global competitiveness in the market and create an impenetrable supply chain to bring food to store shelves.

1 https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/canadas-agriculture-sectors/ food-processing-industry/overview-food-and-beverage-processing-industry

2 https://www.ontario.ca/page/grow-ontario-provincial-agri-food-strategy

3 https://www.ontario.ca/page/grow-ontario-provincial-agri-food-strategy

4 https://www.investontario.ca/ food-and-beverage-manufacturing#stable-place

Canada’s immigraTion & CiTizenship: hoW To immigraTe To C anada

Immigration to Canada is a multi-step process, with the easiest option depending on your unique profile or any connections you may have to the country. With Immigration targets higher than ever, now is the time for those interested in taking this path to start their journey. The important steps include preparing for life in Canada: finding a job, having credentials assessed, learning English and French, as well as understanding what to expect upon arrival - financially, socially, and culturally. Foreigners wishing to make the move must be prepared to make both a financial and emotional investment throughout the

process. However, Canada’s quality of living ranks among world’s best - making it well worth the effort!

e x press entr y

Immigration is increasingly convenient and straightforward with the Express Entry system. This online immigration system allows skilled foreign workers to

enter into the country swiftly, developing their career and transitioning easily into the Canadian lifestyle.

With a qualifying job offer and relevant work experience, Express Entry makes it easy for international professionals to immigrate to Canada as highlyskilled workers. Through this program, talented individuals have the opportunity to become valuable members of the labour force in numerous industries across Canada. Immigration can be stressful, complex, and time-consuming but with Express Entry, skilled migration has never been easier allowing greater access for those eager to contribute their knowledge around the world.

Family sponsorship

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has established the Family Class Immigration Program which gives close relatives the ability to sponsor one another - including a person’s spouse, partner, children, parents and grandparents.

The sponsoring family member must be settled in Canada already and must meet certain criteria in order for their relative to qualify for immigration sponsorship. If a permanent resident or Canadian citizen wishes to pursue this route of immigration, they will need to understand how it works and if they are eligible to do so. Reuniting families is an important part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada mandates to welcome immigrants from around the world and the Family Class Immigration Program is instrumental in bringing loved ones together again.

pr ovincial nominees

Immigration is made easier for many individuals through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). By being nominated by a Canadian province or territory, you can gain permanent residence and have access to the same rights and benefits as other citizens. Immigration processes can be time consuming and complicated, but the PNP makes it feasible for many individuals to begin the process from where they are now instead of going through extensive processes. Immigration is possible and attainable; being nominated by a province or territory can take you one step closer to making your dream of living in Canada come true.

Caregivers

Being a caregiver may present an excellent work opportunity for individuals who specialize in providing dedicated care for those with children, the elderly, and those with medical needs. Working as a live-in caregiver can provide excellent wages, flexible working hours, employee benefits, and assist caregivers in attaining their Immigration to Canada. Immigration to Canada using the Caregiver Program is designed to meet the demands of Canadian citizens seeking qualified people to care for children, seniors living in their own homes or residential care facilities, or those with medical needs either at home or in health facilities.

The program offers a two-year work permit and provides pathways to permanent residency status. Immigration authorities are looking for individuals with an established record of caring for others and the capacity to obtain the necessary language testing scores that would allow work within the country.

st art-up v isa

This exciting initiative allows immigrants to pursue their dreams of starting and running a successful business, while also creating jobs for a Canadian workforce. Combining entrepreneurial spirit and job creation will not only help businesses grow, but also increase employment opportunities in Canada.

The Start-up Visa is designed to make immigrating to Canada an achievable and rewarding experience, providing immigrants with the recognition and assistance they need to be successful entrepreneurs. Investing in start-ups encourages growth and productivity that benefits both the businesses themselves and our generous nation as a whole.

s elf-employed

This may be a great opportunity for many individuals across the world. Individuals who possess expertise, experience, and knowledge in either of these realms could bring an invaluable set of skills to Canada’s ambitious and diverse cultural or sports projects. Immigration requirements can vary depending on this type of self-employment, but with careful planning and research, it is possible to become successful as a self-employed individual in either area.

Immigration to Canada can also provide an array of attractive lifestyle opportunities and instead of advancing on the same path in their prior country, immigrating can provide individuals with greater potential for personal growth.

Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway

The Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident pathway offers a limited-time opportunity for those who are presently working in the country and their families.

This temporary residency can be extended, allowing people to transition into permanent residence without leaving Canada and starting the entire immigration process anew. In this way, the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway provides an accessible means for immigrants to secure their future in the country.

ec onomic mobility p athways pilot

Immigration to Canada has become increasingly accessible through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, an economic permanent residence pathway designed for eligible skilled refugees. The eight participating provinces and territories are providing this pilot as a means of encouraging economic integration and promoting francophone immigration across the country. This program gives highly skilled refugees the opportunity to find employment and grow their careers in Canada’s growing economy while being reunited with family members who are living in Canada.

Through this pilot program, potential immigrants will gain access to services such as language instruction, essential documents identification, occupational certification services and employment support. Immigration advisors will be available throughout the process to assist those interested in immigrating and help make sure that all legal requirements are met. As part of this initiative, permanent residency will be granted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) upon successful completion of settlement programs provided by each province or territory.

“When a business looks at its overall location and supply chain costs, transportation makes the greatest impact by far. That’s where HOPA can develop solutions that add extraordinary value.”

e xperienCe e xCellenCe: onTario’s Food supplY proCessing, disTriBuTion & re Tailing

Ontario has one of the largest food and beverage manufacturing sectors in North America with manufacturing revenues of more than $48 billion. This sector has over 3,000 establishments in the province, employing more than 104,800 people, including global companies such as CocaCola, Nestle, Pepsico, Kellogg’s, Unilever and Kraft Heinz, and homegrown companies like Maple Leaf Foods, Dare Foods Limited and Weston Foods.

According to Invest Ontario, Ontario-based firms have access to superior, end-to-end supply chain solutions including processing, packaging, specialized storage and transportation, in addition to 3.6 million hectares of cropland growing over 230 agricultural commodities on 49,600 farms as of 2016. The province also boasts a concentration of academic institutions with specific expertise and infrastructure dedicated to agrifood and agritech research and development.

Ontario’s food and beverage sector is the 3rd largest in North America with annual sales totalling more than $48 billion. Ontario has access to 1.5 billion consumers across 51 countries through the free trade agreements.

Fabrizio Secco, Managing Director, Ferrero Canada Ltd stated, “Thanks to the continuous support of the Ontario government and to the strong commitment of the Ferrero Group, the Brantford production plant is taking another big step in our history. All these investments represent in an excellent way our industrial footprint, based on quality, innovation and efficiency. These projects are enabling us to create new jobs in our facility and also externally through our suppliers and partners within Brantford and the surrounding area. We are very proud to be the first Ferrero plant outside Europe to process raw cocoa beans and to produce the brand new Tic Tac Gum for North America!”

Thousands of food processing businesses are thriving in Ontario’s moderate, four-season environment, from big metropolises to our smallest rural towns. Ingredient producers, specialty importers and other value-added processors are some of Ontario’s food production resources. Additionally, the province is home to firms that provide critical services including analytical labs, specialty packaging, storage, and shipping.

More than 200 different ethnic backgrounds are represented in Ontario, and their diversity adds to the diversity of the goods produced here for export to international markets. The breadth and depth of knowledge and experience in the food business in Ontario are outstanding. Because of this, several major players in the global food business as well as upcoming stars in the future have invested in Ontario.

Thanks to Ontario’s expansive transportation network that includes 4 international and 300 regional airports, 250,000 km of roads and highways, a dozen border crossings and the 6th more internationally connected airport in the world, your products can reach the $20 trillion U.S. market. Ontario’s Food and Beverage manufacturers further benefit from trade agreements with 50 countries around the world, including CETA and CUSMA.

inCenTive programs For Food and Beverage Companies in onTario

As of March 31, 2021, Government of Canada released a news release regarding their $4.5 million investment for a strong, competitive and resilient agri-food supply chain. Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments of Canada and Ontario are able to invest approximately $4.5 million to support more than 100 projects that are determined to strengthen the province’s agri-food supply chain by helping food and beverage processors expand their operations, increase their competitive edge and acclimatize to future challenges.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food stated, “The Government of Canada supports innovation by food and beverage processors to ensure that the sector is able to succeed in a competitive market, both at home and abroad. Investing in operational improvements will foster the growth of these businesses that provide high-quality.

According to the Government of Canada, the investment will not only further secure and strengthen the province’s food supply but will also help food and beverage processors grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the sector and their community. Food and beverage processors can use this funding to develop new products, create marketing campaigns, tap into new markets, improve food supply safety and strengthen health and safety measures.

Some examples of projects funded by the Government of Canada are:

• Keto Buns Ltd. o/a Unbun Foods will receive up to $75,000 to launch a marketing campaign to expand into the plant-based market to increase sales and build brand recognition/awareness.

• HalalMeals will receive up to $10,000 to purchase and install new x-ray equipment to enhance food safety and provide added assurance to distributors and retailers that carry their products.

• Alstein Farms Inc. will receive up to $50,000 to construct a wash bay facility to sanitize transportation equipment, allowing for safe feed delivery

and better sanitation of transportation equipment, which will aid in preventing diseases, pathogens and pests from moving farm-to-farm.

This investment builds on other initiatives and programs that support the food and beverage sector, including: *All information derived from the Government of Canada.

• A commitment of up to $7 million through the November 2021 intake, in addition to the $7 million investment in the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative for provincially licensed meat processors to help them purchase equipment to increase productivity and efficiency, and prevent slowdowns.

• A $10 million investment in the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program to help provincially licensed meat processors maintain a safe workplace.

• A $22 million provincial investment to increase the adoption of technological innovations within the agri-food sector to enhance the health and safety of workers and improve the sector’s efficiency and productivity through the Agri-Tech Innovation Program.

• An investment of almost $1 million to prepare over 600 people across the province for rewarding careers in food and beverage processing.

“Our government is ensuring our food and beverage processors have the support they need to improve their operations so they can become stronger and more competitive in the domestic and global marketplace. Improving processing facilities through innovation will be key to maintaining a robust agri-food sector as we look to secure the future of our industry for years to come.”

- Lisa Thompson,

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Minister

Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, both provincial and federal governments have committed over $130 million in support to more than 6,000 projects since June of 2018. This funding is especially beneficial to Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations as it will help them to be more innovative and be able to grow.

sTrengThening The provinCe’s seCure Food supplY

The Ontario government is committed to providing Canada and the U.S with a safe and secure food supply through the Grow Ontario Strategy. This strategic framework is designed to strengthen the province’s food system, ensure access to healthy, locally-sourced food, and create economic opportunity for farmers and processors across the province.

Food and beverage is an essential components of everyday life, and a strong agri-food sector is needed in order to ensure an efficient, reliable, and responsive food supply.

This strategy released by the province aims to create new innovations that strengthen the entire sector from start to finish. This plan will help reinforce the agri-food sector so consumers can look forward to a safe and sustainable food source for many years to come.

Benefits of Expanding a Food or Beverage Business to ontario supply Chain strength

In order to strengthen the agri-food supply chain and position the sector for growth, the province is offering a Food Security and Supply Chain Fund worth

$10 million, as well as a Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund worth $25 million. These funds will help the sector increase consumption of food grown in Ontario by 30 percent, increase food and beverage manufacturing GDP by 10 percent, and boost exports by 8 percent annually.

improved Technology and adoption

The Province is making strategic investments to increase the adoption and use of technology in the agri-food industry. These measures are intended to build research infrastructure, encourage the uptake of new technologies and datadriven solutions, and expand markets for homegrown innovations both within the province and across the globe.

at tract and grow Talent

To ensure this critical sector remains strong and grows, the province has launched a plan to attract talent, increase awareness of modern agri-food careers, and create more job training opportunities in Ontario. New and additional mentorship programs that allow young professionals to work with industry leaders will be implemented. By implementing these initiatives in line with their long-term goal of increasing agri-food employment by 10 percent by 2032

Join The gloBal le aders in Food and Beverage innovaTion

Ontario is full of agricultural advantages that position them above the competition. As well, the province is the choice of many food industry giants for a multitude of reasons. In favour of the flourishing industry are a rich agricultural base, a large consumer base, an educated workforce, adequate infrastructure, competitive costs, and a cluster of research and innovation opportunities in the sector.1 Companies based in Ontario are given the opportunity of access to end-to-end supply chain solutions that include processing, packaging, specialized storage, and transportation. More food production resources available in Ontario include ingredient manufacturers, specialty importers, and other value-added processors—a few of which are essential services like analytical laboratories, specialty packaging, storage, and transportation businesses. 2 In

addition to this, the province has over 11 million acres in total farm area 3 that accommodates 230 different agricultural commodities4 on over 48,000 farms.5 The weather in Ontario is much milder than in a lot of other locations. Having a moderate, four-season climate opens the crop possibilities to plenty of crops being grown, even if Ontario is not their native habitat. Due to this, as well as Ontario’s multicultural diversity, foods and dishes from more than 200 distinct ethnic backgrounds are able to be produced in the province for consumption in the world’s markets. 6

The province contributes a large portion to total farms and total revenue in Canada. In the 2021 Census of Agriculture, it is stated that Ontario made up the largest national share of farms and farm operators, making it the second

largest contributor to Canada’s farm operating revenues. About 25% of farms in Canada are located in Ontario, which makes up 7.7% of the total farm area in the country. In terms of farm operators, there are around 67,000 who call Ontario their home, and about 31% of those operators are female, which is higher than in previous years. Ontario also has the largest farms in the production of poultry and eggs, sheep and goats, other animal production, vegetables and melons, and greenhouses, nurseries, and floriculture.7

In order to remain on top, Ontario has continued to adapt to certain economic and environmental changes. In the past, this has been through the shift in focus from livestock to crops. Recently, technological advances have been added to the industry and have completely changed the way that agriculture companies do their business. New digitization projects that have emerged include AIbacked facial recognition for cows, camera and AI-powered herbicide distribution systems, and autonomous trackers. 8 Research to continue innovation on these projects has received a total of $3 billion in investments from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments.9

1 https://foodandbeverageontario.ca/who-we-are/

2 https://www.investontario.ca/ food-and-beverage-manufacturing#worlds-table

3 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/96-325-x/2021001/article/00006eng.htm

4 https://www.investontario.ca/food-and-beverage-manufacturing#intro

5 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/96-325-x/2021001/article/00006eng.htm

6 https://www.investontario.ca/ food-and-beverage-manufacturing#worlds-table

7 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/96-325-x/2021001/article/00006eng.htm

8 https://www.investcanada.ca/industries/agribusiness

9 https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2022/04/government-of-canada-invests-in-digitization-of-farming-to-strengthen-sustainability-of-canadas-agriculture-sector.html

C anadian greaT lakes provide WildC aughT, FreshWaTer Fish

Under the Aquaculture Development segment in Canada, the government provides an initiative called the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI). The purpose of this initiative is to provide funds and support to Indigenous groups and communities who are not eligible for the Atlantic and Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives, where Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) manages the fishery, to develop and maximize the potential of their community-based communal commercial fishing enterprises (CFEs). This includes redistributive-model enterprises which may sell products only to the community or local area.

The objective of this program is to create self-sufficient CFEs or indigenous groups, who are completely capable of taking full ownership of fishing operations and developing into prosperous, self-sufficient harvesters. There are four components to the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative program:

1) Capacity Building (Business Development)

2) Indigenous Harvester Training

3) Expansion and Diversification

4) Aquaculture Development.

Funding that is available to help Indigenous communities and groups to develop sustainable aquaculture operations includes costs to expand or upgrade

existing aquaculture facilities, for materials required in new and expanded operations, and those associated with entering into an aquaculture business. The goal of this funding is to support capacity-building, revenue and profit generation, employment generation, and self-sustainability of aquaculture operations.

The community’s or CFE’s business development strategy must be in line with every project that is applied for NICFI aquaculture development financing. Additionally, it must promote sustainability and capacity-building in aquaculture and allied fields. The Aquaculture Development component of the NICFI program is proposal driven. It has the flexibility to allow for staged implementation of projects with secured finance under multi-year contribution agreements. Multi-year contracts might last anywhere between one and five years. The NICFI p Program Authority must give its consent in order to approve any decisions on requests for financing flexibility.

Some of the general application requirements include project objectives, eligibility, business cases, financial details, letter of support, etc. The adoption of a project by NICFI does not indicate a commitment to finance any followup work or initiatives submitted for consideration in following years, even if it is acknowledged that very big projects may include numerous phases or steps. When requesting NICFI Aquaculture Development funding, it may be good to define the complete project; nevertheless, only the activities specified in the Letter of Offer will be approved.

Lake Superior Ontario, Canada

Where auTomaTion and TeChnologY is TransFerred To The agriCulTure indusTrY: Windsor-essex, onTario

Windsor-Essex, Ont. is among Canada’s most important agriculture and agri-business regions, with more than 100 food and beverage processors and 1,500 growers that collectively employ 15,000 people.

A moderate climate (sitting on roughly the same latitude as northern California), long growing season (an average of 212 days a year), enviable access to water, advanced technology, efficient cross-border logistics, and proximity to large U.S. markets combine to make Windsor-Essex a global leader in agri-business.

The range of agriculture production is vast – fruits and vegetables, field crops, specialty crops such as cannabis and beans, livestock, and dairy.

That production is supported by innovation. The Harrow Research and Development Centre, one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s 20 research centres, is among the largest greenhouse research facilities in North America.

And Windsor-Essex’s leadership in automation and advanced manufacturing means its agriculture sector has access to the latest in process optimization and quality control.

“The implementation of innovative technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence applications, and highly advanced lighting systems are making greenhouse vegetable farms state-of-the-art food production facilities, aiding in Canada’s development of a resilient, domestic food supply system, which will facilitate the expansion and rapidity of crop diversification,” says Rachel Boucher, spokesperson for the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.

The organization is based in Leamington, a municipality within WindsorEssex, which is home to the largest vegetable greenhouse cluster in North America, and second-largest in the world.

At 4,500-plus acres of greenhouse operations, about 80 per cent of Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable acreage is in Windsor-Essex and more than 70 per cent of its production of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers is exported to the U.S.

Another strong segment of agriculture production in the region is wine, with Windsor-Essex being home to 19 wineries. They include the 700-acre Pelee Island Winery which is Canada’s largest private estate winery.

“Pelee Island is the most southern inhabited land in Canada and its uniquely temperate climate, and clay and limestone soil make it ideal for growing grapes,” says vintner and president Walter Schmoranz.

“The Bordeaux region in France has a lot of clay. That has a high capacity to hold water, which does expose the grapes to stress. That means the fruit is typically smaller and more plentiful but it’s also more exciting and interesting. It’s the perfect blend of sugar and acidity.”

Winds off Lake Erie ensure consistent air flow through the vineyards, limiting humidity and possible fungus diseases.

“Essex offers a unique climate, ample water and very rich, fertile and deep soil. We are also seeing the greenhouse industry growing rapidly thanks to the water and sunshine hours we have here year round.”

Many national and multinational companies are headquartered or have significant operations in Windsor-Essex, including ADM Agri-Industries, Tilray (formerly Aphria), Bonduelle, Cavendish Farms, Colio Estate Winery, Diageo Canada, Highbury Canco, Highline Mushrooms, Hiram Walker & Sons, Mastronardi Produce, Mucci Farms, Unico and Windsor Salt.

The list also includes Les Aliments Dainty Foods Inc., which has called Windsor-Essex home since 1967, operating Canada’s only rice milling facility, along with a rice flour mill. Dainty employs about 65 in Windsor and uses the region’s strong rail and highway network and access to marine shipping routes to import approximately 35,000 metric tonnes of rice a year from around the globe.

“Windsor was chosen for the facility location primarily due to its centrality to major travel corridors as well as the skilled labour availability,” says chief financial officer Alban Panolli.

Whether it’s Windsor-Essex’s location within the richest consumer market in the world, unparalleled transportation and logistics strengths, ideal climate, enviable quality of life and skilled workforce, the region offers a huge advantage to agri-business growers and producers.

Visit investwindsoressex.com for more information.

se T Ting The TaBle For inTernaTional suCCess in vaughan

Think of farm-to-fork food production and you might imagine a small-town ripe with local expertise on where to find the best and freshest foods.

What you might not expect is the rest of the world at your doorstep, craving a bite of that local plate and eager to set up shop.

With more than 7,500 acres of farmland fueling supply chains, located minutes from Ontario’s Food Terminal and strategically positioned with access to transportation and advanced manufacturing expertise, the City of Vaughan’s flourishing food and beverage production sector is elevating the region as a prime foreign direct investment opportunity.

pr oduce, production and possibilities

Nearly 10 per cent of Vaughan’s employment base - 21,700 workers at 500 companies – service Toronto’s regional food and beverage sector, representing more than $21 billion in annual sales.

Along with feeding the GTA, Vaughan is home to nearly 100 million square feet of industrial assets contributing to Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing revenues, which exceed $37 billion annually.

The secret ingredient? Affordable industrial space coupled with access to talent and transportation infrastructure.

“Riverside employs more than 400 full-time staff, and being steps away from the subway and bus stops has truly made a huge difference in the health and happiness of our workforce, many of whom use transit to commute to work each day,” said Robbie Bossin, Director of Finance, Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. “Vaughan is also a hotbed for food and beverage manufacturing, which has enabled Riverside to build strong relationships with many vendors and service providers who support the food cluster in Vaughan.”

Reaching global taste buds – as many as 1.2 billion customers in 44 counties thanks to 13 free trade agreements – is easy via the nearby Ontario

Food Terminal, where over two billion pounds of produce is distributed annually.

“Choosing to locate our facility in Vaughan was one of the best and easiest decisions we’ve ever made. The city’s diversity, infrastructure, professional talent pool, expanding transportation services and its close proximity to Toronto Pearson International Airport were what initially attracted us,” said Guy Ozery, Co-President of Ozery Family Bakery. “Our facility is easily accessible to not only our team members but to our customers and buyers as well. Being at the very centre of everything has definitely proven to be very advantageous.”

The future of food

Vaughan’s proximity to many post-secondary institutions offering education in the food services and hospitality industry and food science and technology provides a much-needed talent pipeline.

To attract Vaughan’s next generation of food and beverage entrepreneurs, partnerships with organizations, such as York University’s YSpace, offer specialized workshops through Venture Catalyst and the York Region Food Accelerator programs.

And to highlight Vaughan’s globally competitive farm-to-fork industry cluster, the City, in partnership with York Region, will be onsite at the Anuga FoodTec Conference in Cologne, Germany this October.

“Vaughan will continue to collaborate with partners such as Toronto Global, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and other critical international trade stakeholders to position itself as a destination of choice within York Region, the GTA and internationally, with a focus on making valuable connections abroad to grow this sector,” said Vaughan Mayor, Steven Del Duca.

More information on Vaughan’s food and beverage sector is available at vaughanbusiness.ca

Why innovate without

Together, we spark ideas and advance solutions to the issues that matter.

KAWArTHA LAKES

$309 Million in permits issued in 2021

ranked in Canada (2022) for being a top city to move to by Zoocasa

Only 90 minutes northeast of TOrOnTO

298,500 regional post-secondary students

2nd ranked in Canada (2022) for being a top city to buy real estate by MoneySense

446 acres of industrial land

289,400 regional workforce

11th

309,405 acres of agricultural land

Interested to learn more about Kawartha Lakes’ idyllic location, welcoming business climate, unparalleled opportunities, and competitive pricing? Visit the link below or connect with one of our experts! www.kawarthalakes.ca/opportunity