It’s almost maple syrup time.
The annual first tapping ceremony for the Quinte and District Maple Syrup Producers on Saturday was a little sweeter as Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith announced an $83,000 provincial grant for the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association.
Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams also attended the event at Fosterholm Farms.
The provincial funding comes from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs and will support strategic planning initiatives intended to grow the industry in Ontario.
Smith says they’ll be looking at how they can expand the sector using more Crown land and private land to tap trees and using the expertise of long-time maple syrup producers like the Fosters, whose family has been producing syrup for almost 100 years.
Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association President Frank Heerkens says with the industry at a crossroads, they need to understand how to adjust to meet the needs and demands of the future.
The maple syrup industry contributes nearly $50 million to Ontario’s GDP, while supporting 1,500 jobs and providing $10 million in taxes annually.
