Ontario government partners with FBO

Guelph, Ont. – The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has entered into a multi-year partnership with Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO). The partnership recognizes the importance and economic strength of the food industry in Ontario.

According to FBO the partnership will focus on initiatives to “improve competitiveness, develop and grow markets, leverage and facilitate investment and develop processor capacity in people, intelligence and relationships.” Says FBO executive director Norm Beal: “This government understands the importance of our sector to a healthy and growing economy for the province. Following release of FBO’s report, The Ontario Food and Beverage Processing Industry Strategy – The New Engine of Ontario’s Economy, our respective organizations met and finalized a plan for a number of strategic activities.”

Two strategies aimed at competitiveness and job creation that were identified in the report include establishing an Ontario Food and Beverage Processing Industry Innovation Network offering expert advice and innovation resources for businesses; and developing talent by communicating and connecting with the next generation of food and beverage sector employees and post-secondary institutions.

“Looking ahead, we will be expanding the partnership agenda to include an investment attraction and retention strategy, a key focus of the Premier’s Agri-Food Growth Committee, which includes FBO,” says Beal.