Events

Table of Contents

1. Excellence in Manufacturing (EMC)
2. February 20 & 21, 2009 - Meat & Food Processing Expo, International Centre, Mississauga
3. March 9 to 13, 2009 - 3rd Annual Growing the Margins: Energy, Bioproducts & Byproducts from Farm and Food Sectors Conference & Exhibition, London
4. March 8-10, 2009 - CRFA Show, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto
5. March 13, 2009 - Developing your Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Plan
6. March 25, 2009 - Organic Council of Ontario's 3rd Annual General Meeting
7. June 17 & 18, 2009 - Food Meets Function, London - "the science and business of functional food"
8. ECO Farm Day 2009
9. Ontario Forage Council presents Profitable Pastures 2009

Excellence in Manufacturing (EMC)
Food Sector Manufacturing Initiative - Strategic Interest Group Meetings

Be sure to take advantage of a Food Sector Manufacturing Initiative - Strategic Interest Group (SIG) meeting in your area. The meetings are part of a joint initiative by OMAFRA, EMC and their Community Partners.

Come and hear companies discuss challenges and solutions - including best practices and lessons learned.

Learn how your company may be eligible for a cash rebate on the cost of LEAN/continuous improvement training conducted in your plant and/or a rebate for hiring an intern.

There is no charge to attend the SIG meetings but registration is required. Check the schedule for Ontario sessions and plan to attend the event closest to you.

• Cornwall - February 23, 2009, 9:00-11:00 am
• Brockville - February 23, 2009, 1:00-3:00 pm
• Belleville - February 24, 2009, 7:30-9:30 am
• Durham Region - February 24, 2009, 12:15-2:00 pm
• Brampton - February 24, 2009, 3:30-5:30 pm
• Niagara Region - February 25, 2009, 8:00-10:00 am
• Guelph - February 25, 2009, 1:00-3:00 pm
• Woodstock - February 26, 2009, 8:00-10:00 am
• Chatham - February 26, 2009, 1:00-3:00 pm
• Hanover - February 27, 2009, 8:00-10:00 am

For information or to register for an event contact Bren McKeachnie, 1-866-323-4EMC (4362) or e-mail bmckeachnie@emccanada.org. More details can be found on their website
http://www.emccanada.org/documents/emcontario.

February 20 & 21, 2009 - Meat & Food Processing Expo, International Centre, Mississauga

The Meat and Food Processing Expo is the only show of its kind in Canada that provides one location to showcase innovations, connections and solutions to the processors and suppliers of the meat and food processing industry. The two day event consists of over 100 exhibitors showcasing their products and services to delegates within Ontario, across Canada and internationally. This event is an opportunity to network, create business relationships and find solutions to challenges facing the meat and food processing industry.

More details on the expo and the Ontario Independent Meat Processors' annual conference can be found at http://www.oimp.ca.

March 9 to 13, 2009 - 3rd Annual Growing the Margins: Energy, Bioproducts & Byproducts from Farm and Food Sectors Conference & Exhibition, London

The Growing the Margins conference is a week long, value-packed program that addresses a variety of energy conservation, renewable energy generation, bioproducts, byproducts and other opportunities and challenges in the farm and food processing sectors.

The Growing the Margins conference will explore the technological, operating, regulatory, financial and other challenges and opportunities facing farms and related food processing and rural industries as they strive to improve their energy efficiency, better utilize byproducts and ultimately improve their bottom lines.

For full conference details and/or to register for this event, go to Growing the Margins website at
http://www.gtmconference.ca

March 8-10, 2009 - CRFA Show, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto

Continuing with last year's initiative to combine the Canadian Food & Beverage Show and HostEx trade show, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association is again hosting the CRFA Show. The CRFA Show is a leading industry event designed to be the greatest buying forum in Canada for the foodservice and hospitality industries. For details on attending or exhibiting at the CRFA Show go to http://www.crfa.ca/tradeshows/crfashow/. If you're at the show, come and visit OMAFRA staff at Booth 346.

March 13, 2009 - Developing your Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Plan

The Food Safety Programs Branch of OMAFRA is holding a Developing your Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan workshop for food processors on March 13th, 2009. The workshop will take place at 1 Stone Road, Guelph. During this workshop, participants will be guided through the development of a HACCP plan specific to their operation. Participants registering for this workshop must be very knowledgeable about their ingredients, manufacturing process and finished products. The workshop uses the Advantage HACCP forms to work through a plan. For more information or to register, please visit the website at: www.ontario.ca/haccpexpo.

March 25, 2009 - Organic Council of Ontario's 3rd Annual General Meeting

It's that time again - Come one, come all to the Organic Council of Ontario's 3rd Annual General Meeting.

• Opening remarks by the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
• Panel discussion addressing issues regarding the Non-GMO Project.
• Information on the new Canadian Organic Regulations by the Canada Organic Office.
• Updates on the Ontario Organic Sector, OCO board elections, and networking opportunities.

  Date: March 25, 2009
  Where: Victoria Park East Golf & Country Club
  When: 9:30 am - 4 pm
  Registration: Open to all members and non-members. This event is FREE to OCO Members and $30.00 for non-members. Includes an organic lunch and refreshments.

Please RSVP to Katy at 519-827-0497 or katy@organiccouncil.ca by March 16th

June 17 & 18, 2009 - Food Meets Function, London
"the science and business of functional food"

If you are interested in learning more about functional foods then you should consider attending the upcoming June 17-18 Food Meets Function conference.

The conference will deliver information on the latest human nutritional science and explore the healthfulness of functional foods. Expert speakers will provide key information on the Canadian and international functional food perspectives. The Food meets Function conference is a premiere opportunity for value chain innovators to network and develop new markets. Attendees at the Food Meets Function conference will benefit by:

Looking for an opportunity to gain valuable exposure for your company? You may want to consider sponsorship of this event. For more information, contact Christoph Wand 519-537-8422 christoph.wand@ontario.ca or Greg Simpson greg.simpson@ontario.ca 519-993-0513. The deadline for sponsorship is February 15, 2009. For conference, program and sponsorship details, visit the conference website at www.foodmeetsfunction.ca

ECO Farm Day 2009

The Canadian Organic Growers present ECO Farm Day 2009 on February 27-28th, 2009. This year's theme is "The Business of Farming from Field to Fork!" This conference will be held at the Ramada Inn in Cornwall Ontario. Eliot Coleman is their feature speaker this year. Banquet and Gala on February 27th, and Excellent program of workshops on Saturday, February 28th. Go to www.ecofarmday.ca or call 613-932-7925 for details.

Ontario Forage Council presents Profitable Pastures 2009

This 3-day conference will be held:

Tuesday March 31st at Drumbo Agricultural Hall,
Wednesday April 1st in Elmwood Community Centre and
Thursday April 2nd at the Stirling Lions Hall.

We are excited about our speaker Steve Kenyon from Busby, Alberta. They currently run approx. 1500 head and manage more than 4000 acres. By using extended grazing techniques, they are able to pasture cattle year round. Steve's presentations will include "Economics of Grazing" and "Understanding How Grazing Works." His vast experience will provide a practical take home message. The cost is just $35 and includes hot beef dinner. Pre-registration is required for this event call 877-892-8663 or 519-986-1484 by March 27th. For more info check out our revamped website @ www.ontarioforagecouncil.com