Food and Safety and Traceability Initiative

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.

Under the recently announced Federal Provincial Agreement referred to as Growing Forward, a Food Safety and Traceability program has been launched.
The Food Safety and Traceability Initiative is a cost-share funding program, developed to assist agriculture and agri-food facilities improve food safety practices and traceability systems in their operations. There is funding assistance available to improve food safety on farm under 3 options.
Project Option 1: Implementing a Food Safety Program or a Traceability System
·This is designed for producers and processors who do not have a food safety/traceability plan and are interested in developing and implementing one
·Applicant will plan and implement a food safety program, individual food safety practices, or a working traceability system
·75% to a maximum of $20,000 in funding
All Project Option 1 Applicants must attend an OMAFRA Information Session before applying.
Project Option 2: Supporting Investment in an Existing Food Safety Program
·This is designed to assist producers and processors in improving existing recognized food safety programs
·This option is available only to Applicants currently certified, audited or verified under a recognized food safety program and whose project involves further food safety improvements to their existing food safety program
·75% to a maximum of $20,000 in funding
Project Option 3: Improving Food Safety or Traceability
·Applicants may purchase equipment, engage in training, or obtain certification, audit or verification (first time only) of a recognized food safety program.
·Up to $5,000 in funding per Applicant to address a specific concern
More complete details and additional information is available at the following link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/infores/foodsafe/fsinitiative.htm
To facilitate applications under Option 1 and to provide more information on the program, OMAFRA is offering information sessions in various locations around the province. A session is planned for June 3, 2009 with teleconferencing to locations including Stratton. The session will run from 9 am to 3 pm. This session is designed for food producers and food producers/processors.
Please register through the Northern Ontario Regional Office (1-800-461-6132) by May 27th, 2009. If there is insufficient demand the session will be cancelled.
An information session specifically for food processors is planned for June 25, 2009.