Ontario funds African and Caribbean bakery and other food projects in Northeastern Ontario

The Ontario government is providing more than $5 million to an African and Caribbean commercial bakery in Desbarats, Ont., and 24 other agriculture, aquaculture and food processing projects in Northeastern Ontario.

The funding, which is through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, will expand business operations, create jobs, help support access to locally produced food and drive economic growth in northern communities, according to a news release from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

“Our government recognizes the importance and significance of local food sources for personal well-being and economic growth,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “We are providing northerners access to healthy food options and cultivating business development, diversification and prosperity in the food industry across the Northeast.”

Projects receiving NOHFC funding include:

• $106,118 to establish Ije’s Place – an African and Caribbean commercial bakery in Desbarats
• $754,775 for Manitoulin Trout Farms Inc. – located in Little Current – to purchase new cages and nets
• $328,520 for Local Food and Farm Co-ops – operating out of Markstay-Warren – to administer its Healthy Food Distribution North initiative to improve access to healthy regionally produced food in Northern Ontario
• $250,744 for Oshadenah Holsteins – a dairy farm located in Tehkummah – to purchase equipment, build a new barn, renovate its existing barn and construct a manure storage pit
• $114,530 to establish Gorham Farms – a poultry and beef cattle farm in McKerrow

“Our government is committed to supporting a robust agri-food sector in Northern Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “That’s why we are making im-portant investments to help these regions innovate and overcome the barriers for growth. These in-vestments further strengthen the economic potential of the North where there is great opportunity to build our sector, and continue to provide safe, quality food made right here in Ontario.”

The NOHFC provides financial assistance to projects big and small, rural and urban projects in Northern Ontario that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development.