GF2 for Fruit & Veg Producers – Do you have an eligible project?

Growing Forward 2 is accepting another round of applications from November 16 to December 7. You might have a food safety project for your produce operation that could be eligible for funding.

Consider sending in an application if you are looking to improve food safety for your fruit and/or vegetable farm. You may be eligible if you have a project that will contribute to:

Your operation being ready to obtain an audit to a national or international food safety program.
Laboratory documentation validating your cleaning and sanitation procedures and/or acceptable water quality and/or acceptable pathogen levels in compost.
Building upgrades that prevent food safety risks from occurring (e.g., shatterproof lighting, cleanable surfaces, air curtain to separate incompatible areas).
Equipment that will immediately reduce a food safety risk (e.g. bin washer, knife sanitizer, automated sanitation chemical dispenser, water treatment equipment).

Growing Forward 2 has established projects that address food safety through worker practices, pest control, pre and post-harvest water, soil amendments and cleaning and sanitizing as the highest priority.

Do you have a food safety project in mind? Contact Christine Card for more information at (519) 826-3337 or christine.card@ontario.ca

Growing Forward 2 Updates

Growing Forward 2 (GF2) offers cost-share funding assistance, free workshops and training for Ontario producers, processors, organizations and collaborations.

What’s New for GF2?

Priorities are clearly identified in the program guides
All projects will be assessed on merit
Food safety projects and commodities with the greatest food safety risk will be given priority
Cost-share funding will be capped depending on the project category
Approval of your project is needed before costs can be incurred and paid

Next Intake Date for GF2

GF2 cost-share funding assistance application intake for producers and processors is: