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Growing And Selling Organic Food: Resources for Ontario's Organic Sector
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IntroductionOrganic agriculture and organic foods are a vibrant part of Ontario's dynamic food industry. Organic agriculture in Ontario is based on agricultural planning and management practices that aim to create healthy ecosystems and ensure sustainable productivity. Supported by organic inputs, Ontario's organic food sector is recognized as a well-differentiated and promising market niche (a niche being less than 3% of the total market) that has shown sustained growth in the last decade. The Ontario government provides various supports for the development of organic agriculture and food industries. This Factsheet provides an overview of current support to Ontario's organic sector. Support For FarmersTechnology Transfer to GrowersStaff at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) provide advice to growers and industry on future opportunities in the organic sector. They provide production information on current issues and work with organic-grower groups to develop educational opportunities and deliver information to develop the organic-production sector in Ontario. This includes developing a wide range of information that is available to all producers and appropriate for organic farms, including information on production, nutrient management, environmental programs, business management, and food safety information and programs. Monitoring Standards and Regulation DevelopmentOntario regularly links with other provinces, the federal government and the organic sector to develop organic standards and regulations that support the growth of the sector while ensuring consumer protection. Ontario Organic Research Advisory CommitteeEach year, OMAFRA organizes a meeting of the organic sector to discuss the state of the industry and sector needs, especially for research. This information guides the Ministry in awarding research funding in many areas. BiopesticidesSimilar to other jurisdictions, such as the U.S., OMAFRA staff work to facilitate research and other efforts, to make more biopesticides that are appropriate to organic production methods available to Ontario producers. Support For Food CompaniesOMAFRA supports Ontario's food processing industry in several ways. The key strategies to support food business development include:
OMAFRA has a network of sector officers to meet the business development needs of food companies by:
Investment development officers support the client account officers and
provide expert advice on investment issues such as accessing capital,
developing research and training partnerships, getting information about
Ontario's competitive position and helping develop business relationships.
They also foster new investment opportunities. For more information on
the services for Ontario's food firms, call Support For Organic FarmersNote: Some programs provide drect income support to farmers; others provide
support for broader goals. For additional details, contact the Agricultural
Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. Agricultural Policy Framework (APF)
Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program (CAIS)
Production Insurance
Agricultural Advisory Team
Farm Property Tax Program
Sustainable Production Systems Research Program
New Directions Research Program
Foodland Ontario
Business Information ResourcesFood ProcessingA Guide to Food Processing is an Internet-based tool for entrepreneurs starting food-processing businesses. This guide is intended to help food business entrepreneurs start, manage and grow their businesses. The guide takes a look at some of the important areas specific to the food processing business, including information on researching, manufacturing and marketing commercial-scale food products, as well as comprehensive guidelines for food safety, quality assurance and government regulations. Numerous contacts and online links throughout the guide direct the reader to resources, such as business planning, financing and taxation. Counselling and Market IntelligenceThe Food Distribution Sector Officer provides information to food firms
seeking to grow their domestic Canadian market. Based on regular calls
with organic marketers, the officer also provides sector overviews and
"how to" manuals on selling to multi-unit operators. Domestic Trade ShowsOntario maintains displays at key Canadian trade shows, acting as a distribution point for information on firms manufacturing organic products. Organic Growers, Manufacturers and Co-PackersOMAFRA provides an Organics Guide, which lists all currently known organic growers, manufacturers and co-packers in Ontario. This guide was developed as a sourcing index for U.S. retailers and distributors but is also available to Canadian processors and retailers. The guide lists contact information, websites, products and certifiers. To be listed in the guide, contact food@omafra.gov.on.ca Food SafetyThe Food Safety Programs Branch leads and coordinates the Traceability and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) strategies and programs from farm to fork. The branch:
The Food Safety Animal/Plant/Fish Programs support the development and implementation of HACCP and related programs, such as On-Farm HACCP-based initiatives, HACCP Advantage for food processing, Traceability, and HACCP and food safety education programs. These programs develop and deliver Good Practices programs for different sectors in the food continuum, such as Good Agricultural Practices and Good Food Handling Practices. On-FarmStudies at the farm level have been conducted by Food Safety Programs Branch staff in coordination with the Food Safety Science Unit to evaluate the food safety risks on-farm. Two recent projects have included the Fruit and Vegetable Baseline Study (including organic leaf lettuce) and the Compost Tea Assessment Risk Assessment Study. Staff is available to present research findings and evaluate future research needs. Food Safety Programs Branch staff are also working towards a farm-to-fork food safety model for Ontario. At the farm level, Good Production Practices are being developed with the small- to medium-sized, multi-commodity producer in mind and will target both conventional and organic producers. Producer-friendly material will be developed as the project progresses and will likely be available through the OMAFRA website and workshops. ProcessingUnder the Food Safety Initiative of the Agriculture Policy Framework (APF), funding provides financial assistance to non-federally registered Ontario food processing plants involved in producing food and drink for human consumption. Funding can be used to develop and implement Good Manufacturing Practices and/or HACCP programs. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis up to March 31, 2008. For program details, call 1-866-641-3663. The HACCP Advantage program is a food safety system available to all food processors and covers 57 pre-requisite program standards and eight HACCP plan forms. The HACCP Advantage Manual provides the program details, and an accompanying guidebook provides practical information on how to develop and implement the standards outlined in the manual. For more information, call the HACCP Advantage phone line at 1-888-466-2372 or visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca and select the Food link. InspectionThe Food Inspection Branch monitors compliance with legislated standards for meat and livestock products, milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables, and eggs, by providing inspection services at production and processing facilities and other points of marketing and distribution. It is responsible for establishing food safety standards and working with other Ministries and agencies with food safety mandates to provide a strong, seamless food inspection environment from farm to fork in Ontario. Export Assistance (For Ontario Agri-Food Firms)Ontario Food Exports (OFEX) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is the Ontario government program that helps the food and beverage sector increase sales revenue by identifying and maximizing their export opportunities. OFEX:
Export CounsellingThe OFEX Sector Officer provides direction to organic exporters and assists with market information on all aspects of exporting organic products for those looking to expand their sales base. Geographic Officers focus on the key target markets in Asia/Pacific, Europe/Latin America and the U.S. Export-Related ServicesSeminars OFEX sponsors a variety of seminars. Some concentrate on a specific geographic
market for a variety of products, while others may focus on an individual
product sector's export opportunities in a number of markets. Incoming Mission Enabling buyers to meet Ontario suppliers and view production facilities firsthand has been key in completing business between many foreign buyers and Ontario companies. OFEX works closely with Ontario firms to organize effective itineraries for foreign buyers. Publications OFEX develops a variety of publications on varying markets and distribution channels, such as the Organics Guide. In addition, OFEX publishes a quarterly industry update - the Ontario Agri-Food Exporter. Resources OFEX provides a Resource Centre in Guelph, open to all Ontario agri-food processors, with information on markets, trends, brokers, distributors, agents and many other useful marketing tools. International Trade Shows OFEX co-ordinates participation for Ontario companies at selected international
trade shows. Related Links
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300 Local: (519) 826-4047 E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca |
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