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Ontario Food Cluster

The Ontario Food Cluster: world class opportunities for the global agri-food sector.
The Ontario Food Cluster attracts international investment to its thriving cluster of 3,000 food and beverage companies.

An extensive transportation network of five international airports, 13 Canada custom airports, and 14 road, 7 rail and marine borders crossing to the U.S. connect the province with markets in North America and around the globe. Ontario Food Cluster communities are located within two hours of the U.S.

Map of Ontario

Ontario Food Cluster Locations

Other Members

The federal and provincial governments are active players in the province’s agri-food economy providing different supports to help grow the sector. Financial assistance and incentive programs for food and beverage companies in Ontario come from a variety of different locations.

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

Canada-Ontario Job Grant provides direct financial support to individual employers who wish to purchase training for their employee(s).
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Ontario Innovation Tax Credit

Ontario Innovation Tax Credit is for a refundable tax credit for eligible costs by a business that has conducted innovative research in Ontario towards product development.
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Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit (Ontario)

Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit (Ontario) provides funding to companies to cover the costs associated with hiring/training apprentices in the skilled trades
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Save on Energy Programs for Business

Save on Energy Programs for Business provide support and tools to invest in energy-saving techniques, projects and capabilities by businesses in Ontario.
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Co-operative Education Tax Credit

Co-operative Education Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit, available to employers who hire students enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario university of college.
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Industrial Research Assistance Program

Industrial Research Assistance Program provides advice, connections and funding to help Canadian businesses increase their innovation capacity and take new ideas to the marketplace.
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Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a cost-sharing program between the federal and provincial government to provide support to innovation in the agri-food sector. Community Improvement Plans allow municipalities to directly fund rehabilitation initiatives and/or stimulate development in their region.
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AgriInnovate

AgriInnovate provides repayable contributions for projects that aim to accelerate the commercialization, adoption and/or demonstration of innovative products, technologies, processes or services that increase agricultural sector competitiveness and sustainability.
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10 key reasons to invest in the Ontario Food Cluster

Highlights of stories from OMAFRA presentation and another innovation stories.

Mondelez Canada Inc. $40 Million Expansion to Hamilton Confectionery Plant

Sucro Sourcing Announces New Sugar Refinery in Hamilton

Twin Creeks Greenhouse continues to expand from 10 to 20 to 40 acres

Rapid expansion of city brewery shows it’s nobody’s fool

Reinhart Foods launches the first “Light” beverage in the Canadian cider category

Council approves grant applications for Maple Leaf Foods and Vins Plastics

U of G Partners with SVG Ventures to Accelerate Innovation in Canada’s Agri-Food Sector

GoodLeaf grows up, not out, with indoor vertical farming