Three local agri-food businesses in the region are benefitting from federal-provincial partnership.
Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Sam Oosterhoff joined Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp for the announcement Monday morning in Quinte West.
The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative aims to help farmers and food processors make and sell more Ontario grown products around the world.
Quinte Custom Foods in Quinte West will receive up to $290,156 to build out production and storage capacity.
Sprague Foods Limited in Belleville will receive up to $107,507.71 to elevate productivity, market diversification and resiliency with targeted capital investments.
Wild Lot Farm Distillery in Prince Edward County will receive up to $70,000 to support growth in canned cocktails through Ontario and Canada expansion.
“By funding products that scale up food production in Bay of Quinte, we are driving economic growth in the region,” said Allsopp. “I look forward to the positive ripple effects this will have throughout our local communities.”
The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is supporting over 130 projects to increase competitiveness for farmers and food processors and support their expansion into new and international markets as part of the provincial government’s plan to protect Ontario’s agribusiness sector.
“We are laser focused on expanding markets and trade opportunities for Ontario farmers and agribusinesses,” said Oosterhoff. “The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is protecting agri-food jobs and agribusiness resilience in the face of unprovoked tariffs from Donald Trump. This $22 million investment is unleashing over $110 million in private sector investment, creating over 900 new good-paying jobs and keeping Ontario’s food supply chain secure, sovereign and self-reliant.”
The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is part of a series of initiatives the government has implemented to support these businesses and is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
“This investment helps us expand production and storage capacity for our new ready-to-eat frozen pouch products right here in Quinte West, so we can sell more Ontario-made food across Canada and in new markets around the world,” said Ed Lamers, President of Quinte Custom Foods. “In the face of U.S. tariffs, it supports good jobs in the Bay of Quinte and a more secure, self-reliant food supply. We thank Minister Oosterhoff and MPP Allsopp for their support.”
Keenan Sprague, President of Sprague Brand, Sprague Foods added: “Sprague Foods makes nutritious, healthy food for Canadian families and for export markets. This support from the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative helps us make the capital investments and upgrades that keep our Belleville cannery competitive. A more efficient plant means we can grow into new markets and, ultimately, deliver real savings to grocery shoppers. We’re grateful to Minister Oosterhoff and MPP Allsopp for investing in Ontario food manufacturing.”
Approved projects are to be completed by October 15, 2027.
