ONTARIO INVESTS $200,000 IN MILTON FOR AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION

Milton, ON – Today, Parm Gill MPP for Milton announced the Government of Ontario is investing $200,000 through the Agri-Tech Innovation Program in 2 projects in Milton. This is part of a $22 million province wide investment to help the agri-food sector implement new and unique ways to set businesses up for future growth and success while strengthening the food supply chain, creating safer workplaces and making operations more resilient to future disruptions.

“By investing $200,000 for innovative local projects in our community, our government is taking strong action to help the agri-food sector in Milton grow and succeed,” said Parm Gill, MPP for Milton. “This will strengthen Ontario’s food supply chain while also creating safer and more resilient workplace operations.”

This investment will support the adoption of new advanced technology that improves the productivity of farmers and agri-food processing businesses, address the labour shortage, and support the long-term sustainability and growth of the sector. Locally, Chudleigh’s and Fresh Start Food will use this funding for manufacturing. 

Highlights of this project include:

  • Chudleigh’s is receiving $100,000 for Robotics to Cartoner Line for their Bakery Manufacturing Operations
  • Fresh Start Foods is $100,000 for Highly Automated Cabbage Coring Machine for All Other Food Manufacturing

“Adapting innovation and technology is key to the success of our agri-food sector,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This is why we’re investing in innovations that will build a stronger, more resilient sector for years to come. From research to farm production, to food processing, adopting new technologies will help strengthen our food supply chain, create new market opportunities and strengthens the economy.”

“We appreciate the support being provided to Canadian Manufacturers as this helps create jobs and promote Canada on a global level”, said Dean Chudleigh from Chudleigh’s.

Examples of projects across the province that are adopting new technology include:

  • A self-driving tractor which includes data collection, will decrease use of chemical sprays, contact between farm workers and deter from traditional methods of bird damage preventions.
  • An automated colour sorter machine for the grading and sorting of soybeans which eliminates manual processing, labour challenges and reliance on global suppliers.
  • An automated turkey packaging processor and further processing lines which will reduce employee risk of exposure to COVID-19, workplace related injuries and address shortages in meat processing sector.