Local Food Processor Expanding Norfolk County -McGuinty Government Supports Agri-Food Industry, Creates Jobs

Ontario is helping a local meat processor in Norfolk County expand to meet growing demand for more locally-grown food.

With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program, Townsend Butchers is installing a new processing line. This will help the company to:

• increase production
• source more meat from local farmers
• provide a wider variety of local meats to consumers
• create six new jobs

A strong agri-food industry is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs and opportunities that will grow the province's economy.

QUOTES

"We're proud to be investing in small, local abattoirs and meat plants such as Townsend Butchers, who provide us with fresh, local, quality meats we all enjoy. By giving our small meat processors the tools they need to succeed and grow, we're strengthening Ontario's agri-food industry and growing our economy."
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"This project is helping us respond to the demand for increased meat processing capacity in Norfolk County. Once construction is complete in the fall of this year, we will be able to bring more high-quality local meats to the table, source more meat from our local farmers, and create more full-time positions here at Townsend Butchers."
- Jeff Miedema, Co-Owner, Townsend Butchers

"After 39 years in business here in Simcoe we need to expand our facility thanks to the great support of all our customers. All of us here at Townsend Butchers are very excited about the expansion and the new opportunities it will create. We would like to thank the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for their support, as well as our many loyal customers, to whom we owe our success."
- Steve Miedema, Co-Owner, Townsend Butchers

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has invested more than $167 million in 412 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program and generated more than $1.2 billion in new economic activity.
• The agri-food industry contributes more than $33 billion to the Ontario economy and employs about 700,000 people.
• In June, Ontario had an increase of more than 40,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.7 percent.

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Want to grow your food business? Ontario can help.