Funding opportunity for Ontario processors and growers who pack fruit

The Ontario Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative is designed to support competitiveness, profitability, growth and long-term sustainability of agri-food processors by implementing technologies and processes to increase energy efficiency in their operations. This cost-share initiative is intended to help agri-food processors lower their overall operational costs to be more competitive and sustainable. Funding from this initiative will be used to support projects that prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions by investing in new technology, equipment, as well as building or facility modifications to help achieve this goal.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the initiative you must be a processor in the agri-food sector undertaking activities that promote energy efficiency that result in the reduction of overall operational costs. Further details on eligibility and applications process can be found in the initiative guidelines.

The program defines eligible processors as: A Person that is a business in the agri-food supply chain; a slaughterhouse/abattoir; agri-food-processor (such as food, beverage); bio-processing company (such as food, industrial); packing house (such as washing, packing, chopping or other changes to product); pet food and fertilizer manufacturer; food/agricultural commodity/bioprocessor waste company; excluding commissary (such as ready to eat counter), brewpub, brand owners.

Funding Level

• A Recipient is eligible to receive 20% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $300,000 in funding per Project under the Initiative.

Application period

Applications will be accepted until June 5, 2023.

Eligible activities

The following activities are eligible under the Initiative: a. purchase or modification of equipment and technology that improve energy efficiency b. purchase or modification of water use equipment and technology that improve energy efficiency c. purchase of energy monitoring controls and equipment and technology d. building envelope energy efficiency improvements including: i. renewable energy ii. lighting iii. ventilation iv. heating v. refrigeration vi. water heating and cooling

More information, including program guidelines and application forms can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/agri-foodenergy-cost-savings-initiative.