Apple Growers and Cider Pressers Can Take Advantage of the New Food Safety And Traceability Funding Under Growing Forward

New federal-provincial Growing Forward programs have been announced on April 1, 2009. The Growing Forward - Food Safety and Traceability Initiative (FSTI) is now accepting applications.

The funding will help facilities adopt food safety and traceability practices. The FSTI provides 75 per cent reimbursement of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $20,000 under any one, or a combination of, the following three options:

Option 1: up to $20,000 per eligible applicant to develop, write and implement a food safety program, individual food safety practices, or a working traceability system Option 1 applicants must attend an OMAFRA information session before applying.
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Option 2: up to $20,000 per eligible applicant, to make food safety improvements to a currently certified, audited or verified food safety program. A schedule is provided of recognized programs.

Option 3: up to $5,000 per eligible applicant for the purchase of equipment, take training or obtain certification, audit or verification of a recognized food safety program.

The program is on a first come, first served basis. If one or more options apply to your operation, we encourage you to complete and send an application as soon as possible.

Applicants interested in applying must attend an FSTI information session prior to submitting an application form. The certificate that participants receive at these sessions must be attached to your application form.

A listing of currently scheduled sessions can be found online at :

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/grants/infosessions.htm.

To pre-register for one of these scheduled information sessions - or to request the scheduling of a session in your region - call toll free 1-888-479-3931 (1-888-GRWFWD1).

For more information, see the OMAFRA website at
www.ontario.ca/foodsafety or email us at

FSTI.omafra@ontario.ca