Connecting Retailers and Ontario Food Makers

Grocers Offer Special Sessions and Pricing for Ontario-Based Producers and Processors
Wal-Mart New Ontario Supplier Fair - Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
PROFIT & Street Smart Help Exporters
Foodland Ontario/Pick Ontario Freshness

Grocers Offer Special Sessions and Pricing for Ontario-Based Producers and Processors

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD) are pleased to offer two sessions designed to help Ontario food firms increase their sales to large Ontario retailers. If you are an Ontario-based producer or processor (or one of their associations) and you have never been to a CCGD Ontario Conference, now is the time to register and attend the November 19, 2008 session. You can access a special rate of over 40% off ($295.00) that gives you:

• November 19th - access to the full conference program in Toronto that includes virtual store tours and strategic discussions led by key executives from each of Ontario's three biggest grocery retailers: Loblaw, Metro/A&P and Sobeys. The full program details will soon be available at: http://www.ccgd.ca/home/en/EventsOntProgram.htm
  
  
• On September 23rd , a special ½ day program is offered for new CCGD Ontario Conference attendees to help prepare them for the conference and the opportunities it offers to understand what retailers are looking for and how to prepare to meet buyers' expectations. This pre-session will be held at the OMAFRA offices in Guelph on Sept 23rd. Here you can meet the buyers in produce, meat, and packaged goods and gain marketing insights in a smaller group setting dedicated to maximizing sales of Ontario product.

For a registration form, please call Jeanettte Lee at CCGD - 416-922-6228 ext. 331 or e-mail her at jlee@ccgd.ca.

Wal-Mart New Ontario Supplier Fair - Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008

Wal-Mart is putting more emphasis on buying local and is interested in meeting potential new suppliers. It has a special interest in food products. If you are an Ontario supplier interested in selling products to Wal-Mart/Sam's Club then plan on attending the new supplier fair in Mississauga. The morning will feature an overview of the Wal-Mart supplier relationship, the latest on Wal-Mart's sustainability efforts and a description of opportunities for new products. The afternoon will provide a chance to pitch your product in a guaranteed "one-on-one" meeting with a Wal-Mart or Sam's Club buyer. You can choose to attend only the morning session to gain a better understanding of what Wal-Mart is looking for and how it operates. To reserve your seat and for more information, please email: supplierfair@ontario.ca. You will be sent a package of information and a registration form. There will be a registration fee of $100 per person. Seating is limited so you are encouraged to register early. This event is also open to categories other than food.

PROFIT & Street Smart Help Exporters

The New-to-Exporting Seminar, PROFIT (Program to Raise Ontario Foods International Trade) is designed specifically for those new to food exporting to the USA. Whether new to exporting, or have colleagues who need export training, this program is an outstanding opportunity. This two-day seminar is critical in assisting an organization to build its export strength. Featuring industry speakers and key contacts that know the export process, PROFIT will prepare a company for what is needed to succeed in the US market. This affordable course, specific to the needs of the food industry, is ideal for:

• New Marketing staff
• Inside & Outside Sales
• Shipping & Logistics staff
• Marketing/Sales Support staff
• Skills upgrade and development
• Anyone involved in the export process.

Also available is a September 23rd event for firms with specific expertise called "Street Smart" that is focused on introductions between pre-qualified buyers with specific interests and export-ready sellers. Contact your sector specialist at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/staff/export.htm#sector or goexport.omafra@ontario.ca for information on upcoming trade events.

Foodland Ontario/Pick Ontario Freshness

Please support and encourage Ontario's eaters to Look for the Foodland Ontario symbol when shopping. It's an easy way for folks to identify Ontario foods in grocery stores and farmers' markets, and a great way to ensure that we can all pick Ontario freshness http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/pickontario/index.html. For recipes and more information on Foodland Ontario go to: http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/

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