Traceability Foundations
Initiative: Approved Projects
The Traceability Foundations Initiative (TFI) is a three-year joint
Federal-Provincial funding program to support voluntary, industry-led
information sharing networks that will enhance agri-food traceability.
The TFI program received many diverse applications with exciting
opportunities for enhancing information sharing and traceability
for sectors and value chains. These projects demonstrate the strong
commitment by Ontario's agri-food industry to enhance and improve
their responsiveness, competitiveness and sustainability in meeting
consumers' demands for the good things that grow in Ontario.
Below are the projects that have been approved under TFI to date.
Click on a name to see a short description of the approved TFI project:
a. Sector Projects
i. Grape Growers of Ontario
ii. Hensall District Cooperative
iii. Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission
iv. Ontario Tender Fruit
v. Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board
vi. Chicken Farmers of Ontario
vii. Wine Council of Ontario
b. Value Chain Projects
i. Cochrane and Area Abattoir Organization
ii. Elite Pak
iii. Windsor Marketing
iv. David Chapman's Ice Cream
v. Bonduelle Ontario Inc
vi. Shepherd Gourmet Dairy
vii. Beau's All Natural Brewing Co
viii. I Crave Natural Foods
ix. Crooked Creek Acres
x. Finest Sausage and Meats
a. Sector Projects
i. Ontario Cattle Feeders' Association
ii. Ontario Pork
iii. Dairy Farmers of Ontario
b. Value Chain Projects
i. Nature Fresh Farms Inc.
ii. Enright Cattle Company
iii. Organic Meadows
iv. Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc.
v. Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd.
vi. Ontario Natural Food Co-Op
vii. VG Meats
viii. Gala Bakery
ix. Laplante Poultry Farms
i. Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency
ii. Ontario Goat Breeders' Association
iii. Ontario Veal Association
iv. Grain Farmers of Ontario
A. Projects that enhanced traceability systems
from paper based to an electronic database/web system
a. Sector Projects
i. Grape Growers of Ontario - Grape Growers of Ontario
online geo-database for the grape industry
With 95% membership participation rate, the Grape Growers of Ontario
are developing and enhancing an online GIS information system which
will allow the Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO) and its members to
monitor and track grape growing activities, as well as grape transactions
from the vineyard to the winery, in a central, real-time database,
with expanded search capacity. Moving from a manual to an automated
system not only results in efficiencies and error reduction, but
the capacity to produce tailored reports will enable informed business
decisions that will help improve productivity and quality.
ii. Hensall District Cooperative - Hensall District
Cooperative Electronic Quality Assurance Program
Hensall District Cooperative is integrating the enterprise information
sharing systems at the cooperatives, to one automated, web-based
system. This will enable the 1000 participating members of Identity
Preserved Soybean and Dry bean producers (95% of Ontario bean producers)
and the cooperative to have full traceability and to make efficient,
informed business decisions. This project will be collaborating
with the Bean Board TFI project to ensure seamless information collection
and sharing across the industry, resulting in farms belonging to
both the bean board and the co-op only needing to supply information
once.
iii. Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission
- Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission Web based
Reporting System
Ontario member hatcheries will soon be able to log on to a web-based
information sharing system and upload information such as number
of eggs, chicks, allocations, and purchasers, providing hatcheries
quick access to valuable information, previously in paper-format.
The information sharing system will enable rapid source and product
identification for emergency response and improved business planning
and management as a result of informed business decision resulting
from tailored data reports.
iv. Ontario Tender Fruit Growers - Ontario Tender
Fruit Growers Value Chain Traceability Initiative
The tender fruit sector will be building a web-based information
sharing system, enabling growers to track all events related to
the production of their fruit. The system will produce quick and
accurate reports that will inform business decisions to increase
productivity and quality. Tailored reports will also be supplied
to shippers - avoiding any time delays associated with information
sharing at the time of shipment. This will help to displace non-Ontario
product. This system also has the benefit of giving the entire sector
piece of mind knowing that they can quickly quarantine product in
case of an emergency recall.
v. Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board - Ontario
Bean Producers' Marketing Board Bean Management
The Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board's development of an
e-commerce website to communicate with the Bean Board's data warehouse
will provide growers, dealers, buyers and agricultural product companies
with historic and real-time information. Using this up-to date,
comprehensive data will result in informed business decisions that
have the potential to improve production practices and market returns,
in addition to providing full traceability from growers to buyers.
vi. 1) Chicken Farmers of Ontario - Ontario Broiler
Chicken Flock Traceability Pilot Implementation
The Chicken Farmers of Ontario will automate the current paper-based
record keeping system to streamline the flow of information for
tracking flocks from farm to processing. This project involves significant
foresight in the development of a 10-year plan, as well as perfecting
and proving the ideal path forward through a pilot project that
obtains feedback from membership. Once complete this project will
enable efficient and effective emergency management and the development
of tailored reports to accurately inform business decisions and
provide analysis to anticipate and resolve potential issues.
2) Chicken Farmers of Ontario - Ontario Broiler Chicken
Flock Traceability Solution Industry Adoption
Chicken Farmers of Ontario are continuing to build on their TFI
project - Ontario Broiler Chicken Flock Traceability Pilot Implementation
- by transforming their current paper-based information sharing
system to enable electronic transfer of data. This new project leverages
the first TFI project to enable internet and mobile based data capture
to be uploaded to a cloud-based system. This will enable members
and the organization to immediately access information to effectively
and efficiently manage an incident and build a consistent approach
to sharing information across the industry which will result in
efficient business decisions and operational efficiencies.
vii. Wine Council of Ontario - Modelling of a Traceability
System for Ontario Wines
Product authentication is essential for Ontario ice wine exporters
to the Asian market. The Wine Council of Ontario is leading the
development of a cloud-based information sharing system that will
enable traceability to the grower/processor; meeting market demands
and enabling effective incident management.
b. Value Chain Projects
i. Cochrane and Area Abattoir Organization - Cochrane
and Area Traceability Collaboration
15 member value chain that includes producers, processor/abattoir,
retailer and transport providers, who will move from a paper based
information sharing system to a fully electronic information sharing
system for beef, sheep and hogs, in order to enable increased market
access and improved ability to execute emergency response.
ii. Elite Pak - Elite Pak Food Safety, Traceability and
Information Sharing Initiative
Local Ontario asparagus value chain that is implementing an information
sharing system that will use barcodes to trace product from farm
to retail. This value chain contains 500 acres of Ontario asparagus
production, and once the system is honed it will be expanded to
sweet potatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables in the region. This
project will help participating value chain members to displace
imported products.
iii. Windsor Marketing - Project Breadcrumb - Cloud Based
Traceability and Information Sharing System
The five partners in this pizza value chain will be able to share
information easily through a cloud-based web platform; creating
real-time traceability which will be accessible by any computer
or mobile device with an internet connection. This system will result
in operational efficiencies and a uniform mandate for the entire
value chain to meet industry certification standards and access
market opportunities. While this pizza value chain currently has
five members providing private label pizza to major retail organizations,
it was built with flexibility to allow future participants to easily
become integrated into the value chain.
iv. David Chapman's Ice Cream - Value Chain Information
Sharing Improvement Project
Chapman's processing and distribution facilities are improving
their already successful value chain by investing in an information
sharing system which moves partners from a primarily paper-based
system to a real-time integrated system. Information sharing will
enable the value chain to adhere to GS1 standards and other customer
requirements, implement effective and efficient incident management
protocols, and effectively manage inventory distribution within
the value chain, all of which results in an economic gain for the
value chain.
v. Bonduelle Ontario Inc - Agriculture Portal for Online
Data Sharing
Bonduelle, Canada's leading processor of canned and frozen vegetables
is building on their existing partnership with their crop advisors,
processors and associated farmers, to share real-time information
through a web-based platform. Moving from a primarily paper-based
system, this online system will incorporate many features such as
google maps to allow for on-line display of field locations, provide
consistency in value chain certification to meet industry standards,
including Global Food Safety Initiative. Information will be shared
throughout the value chain, all the way back to the farmer, providing
farmers detailed information to improve quality and yield.
vi. Shepherd Gourmet Dairy - Value Chain Traceability Project
The Shepherd Gourmet Dairy value chain is collectively the largest
manufacture of sheep milk products. They are investing in their
information sharing system to gain a larger market share and displace
imports. This value chain will establish an information sharing
and traceability system to replace the existing paper-based system.
The system will integrate information from the farms, milk truck
drivers, and processors, enabling operational efficiencies, accurate
and effective decision making and incident management to maintain
customers' confidence in their brand.
vii. Beau's All Natural Brewing Co - Beau's Brewery Value
Chain Information Sharing System
An Eastern-Ontario craft brewery, specializing in brewing certified
organic beer is further improving their value chain partnerships
with their grain supplier and cold storage logistics provider, by
moving from a paper based system to an electronic information system
using bar codes. Partners in this value chain will be able to communicate
with each other seamlessly, enabling operational efficiencies, quality
improvements, improved ability to meet market demands, and enhanced
emergency management.
viii. I Crave Natural Foods - Fresh Gluten Free Products
From Flour Production To Consumers
A gluten-free value chain in Ontario which includes an ingredient
supplier, a bakery and a distributor will increase their ability
to access markets through improvements in their ability to trace.
Through a web-based information sharing system, this value chain
will be able to track ingredients through to the finished products
sold. The unique feature of this web-based system includes a software
program that will be installed at each value chain facility and
monitored by the value chain over an IT network. The system will
ensure manufacturing processes meet market requirements and international
standards.
ix. Crooked Creek Acres - Traceability and Recall Program
This Identity Preserved (IP) soybean value chain project involves
two producers, a processor, transporter, and an exporter. Using
a web-based portal, partners will share and have access to standardized
information. This will address current gaps and inconsistencies
in information flow throughout the chain, meet information requirements
within the Asian markets for IP beans, and enable effective incident
management.
x. Finest Sausage and Meats: Implementation of an Electronic
Traceability System to Enhance Performance
This value chain involves an abattoir, a processing facility and
a wholesale/retail operation. Premium sausage and a variety of deli
products will be produced providing new access to the gluten-free
and MSG-free markets. The value chain will gain efficiencies in
production, scheduling/ordering according to customer preferences
which will streamline business practices to make each member of
the value chain more competitive.
B. Projects moving to integrated information
sharing systems
a. Sector Projects
i. Ontario Cattle Feeders' Association - Ontario corn
Fed Beef Information Sharing and Traceability Project
With 100% of the Ontario Corn Fed Beef participating in this large
value chain project, led by the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association,
the results will include a fully functioning, integrated traceability
system from farm to processing, that incorporates verification of
animal husbandry practices and adherence to the national traceability
requirements with linkages to the Canadian Livestock Tracking System.
This significant project provides full traceability from the animal
to the cut of meat which is tracked with associated information
attributes, something that is strongly desired by customers, enabling
business growth.
ii. Ontario Pork - Electronic Manifesting for Hog Transportation
Ontario Pork plans to automate and streamline producer shipment
and traceability information - required for both national traceability
standards and customer-led value added product attributes - provided
in real time. This project will lead to an automated information
transfer system through the value chain that will be tailored, cost
effective, efficient and accurate. This data reporting will result
in identifying potential problems in a proactive manner, and will
inform business decisions increasing the likelihood of business
success.
iii. Dairy Farmers of Ontario: Framework 2020 - Traceability
for the Future
As the largest sector of Ontario agriculture, the Dairy Farmers
of Ontario (DFO) will be updating their database software platform
to a web-based format. This will increase the overall capability
of the system, resulting in real-time intelligence sharing which
will lead to informed business decisions and an increased value
to DFO customers. The web-based system will allow stakeholders to
access real-time information in customized database reports. Another
important feature of the web-based system is enhanced incident management
where partners upstream in the dairy chain can access information
electronically to quickly and effectively manage any incidents if
that may occur.
b. Value Chain Projects
i. Nature Fresh Farms Inc. - Bridging the Software Gaps
Moving from siloed enterprise systems to a centralized information
sharing system will enable this greenhouse value chain to have real-time
dashboard reporting of product quality, yield, input information,
and sales, to name a few. This will not only result in an efficient
and effective emergency management system, but this value chain
will be able to make informed, quick business decisions, necessary
to being leaders in the agri-food industry.
ii. 1) Enright Cattle Company - Enright Beef Value Chain
This beef value chain, who supplies local Ontario markets, will
soon be able to trace cuts of meat back to the animal. Not only
does this meet local restaurant and farmers markets' needs, this
also allows efficient and effective communication of carcass data
between value chain members resulting in business decisions being
made based on accurate, comprehensive data and enabling a value
chain culture of continuous business improvement.
2) Enright Cattle Company - Enright Cattle Co Traceability
Project
This beef value chain will build upon their cattle carcass traceability
project completed under TFI Intake 1. The software implemented allowed
the farm, feedlot, and abattoir to maintain complete forward and
backward traceability throughout the value chain. Building on their
information sharing system further will provide additional cattle
information to value chain partners. Allowing each partner to obtain
the carcass information from each cow provides the businesses with
accurate information to make stronger on-farm management decisions
regarding cattle variations, feeding, and readiness for slaughter.
Improving the overall capacity of each partner in the value chain
demonstrates to other small businesses the merits of industry leadership
and innovation.
iii. Organic Meadows - Organic Meadow Dairy Value Chain
Traceability and Information sharing System Development Project
This value chain is moving from a siloed, non-standardized system
to an integrated automated sharing system within the Organic Meadow
value chain. Partners will be able to access data in real time,
providing consistency of information collection and sharing across
the value chain leading to operational efficiencies, improved business
decisions, and enabling the value chain to meet customer demands.
This will help Organic Meadow to expand their current market share.
iv. Great Lakes Speciality Meats of Canada Inc. - Great
Lakes Specialty Meats Value Chain Traceability Platform
The Great Lakes Specialty Meats of Canada Inc. value chain consists
of a feed input supplier, hog production system management company,
transporters and a processing plant. The project builds capacity
to trace single cuts of meat back to the animal, and will be an
open-source, integrated information sharing system between value
chain partners, resulting in operational efficiencies and well-informed,
timely business decisions. Production methods, feeding and husbandry
practices will be consistent within this value chain. Being able
to provide this information to customers provides value to the product
that will be differentiated in the market place.
v. Wallenstein Feed and Supply Ltd. - Wallenstein Feed
and Supply Ltd. Traceability Implementation
A value chain project, led by Wallenstein Feed Supply Ltd., which
involves implementation of barcode based system and information
management software to enable traceability from ingredient through
feed manufacturing process, to shipping and delivery. The project
will result in operational efficiencies and savings at every level
of the value chain. The value chain intends to expand to the project
to Wallenstein's 250 suppliers and 1000 customers.
vi. Ontario Natural Food Co-Op - Ontario Natural Food
Co-Op Traceability and Information Sharing System Development Project
The Natural Food Co-op value chain is moving towards an integrated
inventory information sharing and traceability system for all members
of their value chain for one of their seven product brands. This
project will improve brand integrity and emergency response capability.
Once refined, this information sharing system is intended to be
expanded to all products ONFC distributes, which will support local
Ontario food for small and medium-sized operations by providing
participating value chain members with the capacity to perform effective
emergency management, streamlined data sharing, and information
desired by the customer.
vii. VG Meats - Taking Ontario Meats to a New Level of
Quality
VG Meats is an award winning abattoir and further processor that
has supplied Ontario markets for 40 years. The project involves
a value chain of producers and a processor and its established network
of retail outlets and restaurants. The project seeks to develop
an online information sharing portal that will allow partners to
access information across the value chain including animal production
and final cut quality to verify methods of production including
grass finished, hormone free and antibiotic free, to meet market
demands. The system will have an inventory of all meat products
which will be traceable back to the individual animal. Consumers
will have access to important traits based on packaging bar coding
and will have the ability to provide direct feedback on purchases.
viii. Gala Bakery - Specialty Bakery Traceability Value
Chain
This value chain involves an ingredient supplier/distributer, processing
facility and three retail bakery operations. Information uploaded
into a web-based information sharing system will serve to integrate
information from each facility level system. Value chain partners
will be able to manage product lot numbers, order history, quantities
and will gain operational efficiencies and improved emergency management
capabilities.
ix. Laplante Poultry Farms: Traceability from the Chicken
house to the Consumer
This poultry value chain involves a chicken producer, processor
and distributor of chicken products for eastern Ontario. Marketing
their product as local, the value chain has experienced an increased
demand to trace poultry back to the farm of origin. This project
will enable the value chain to provide information required to track
from the poultry farm through to the final point of sale of the
chicken product. In addition, elements that contribute to animal
growth will be tracked and shared. This information will be managed
by a commercial, off-the-shelf, modular traceability software program
already in use in other agri-food companies. The three companies
will share common information on a server accessible to all partners
through a web-based network. The value chain will build their local
brand and enhance their competitiveness to support expansion into
new markets.
C. Research / Pilot Projects investigating
information sharing
i. Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency - CREATE: Making Traceability
an Investment, not a Cost
The Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, in collaboration with the
Ontario Cattlemen's Association, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and Ontario
Pork will be conducting a full Needs Assessment to identify the
most appropriate approach for full traceability starting at the
farm.
ii. Ontario Goat Breeders' Association - Ontario Meat
Goat Management and Traceability Pilot Project
The Ontario Goat Breeders' Association are piloting an integrated
information sharing database involving 15 herds. This project will
move Ontario's goat industry towards a full traceability system
that will encourage and increase adoption of traceability for producers
and position the industry with an information sharing system that
will increase competitiveness for the sector's future.
iii. Ontario Veal Association - Gap Analysis of Traceability
Capabilities and Practices in Ontario's Veal Industry
The Ontario Veal Association is conducting research to analyze
and identify information collection and sharing opportunities with
the veal, dairy and beef value chain. The project will identify
options to facilitate future information sharing opportunities among
the broader veal value chain from dairy producer to abattoir. The
project represents an opportunity for Ontario's veal industry to
benchmark current practices within Ontario's veal operations leading
to full traceability, effective emergency management, and enhanced
business opportunities.
iv. Grain Farmers of Ontario - Membership Mapping
The Grain Farmers of Ontario will facilitate premises registration
for 22,000 members. This will involve building a database of membership
location, acreage data and on-farm storage capacity that will lead
to enhanced traceability of Ontario grains as well as Ontario's
capacity to manage emergencies.
