Food Bulletin - November 2009

This Food Bulletin is packed with info about funding opportunities and events to help your organization become more innovative, productive and competitive!

Funding Opportunities

50% off EMC Lean training for all Ontario manufacturers

Continuous improvement now costs less! The Ontario government and the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) have a great deal for all Ontario manufacturers: 50 per cent off the cost of Lean training at more than 50 hands-on sessions across the province. Lean training enhances productivity and increases profits by identifying and eliminating workplace wastes and ineffectiveness. For more information, course descriptions and locations, visit EMC's website or call 1-866-323-4362.

Gain research talent through First Job initiative

If you need academic research expertise to jump-start innovation at your company, check out the First Job initiative from the Ontario Centres of Excellence. The program helps companies gain leading-edge scientific knowledge for greater competitiveness and productivity. Successful applicants receive grants covering up to 50 per cent of a recruit's salary (to a maximum of $40,000). Start-up companies are eligible for a grant of 80 per cent of a recruit's salary (up to $50,000).
For more information, visit the OCE website.

Small Business Internship Program fuels e-business

Would more active online marketing grow your business? Move your e-business project forward with financial assistance from Industry Canada. Small and medium-sized businesses (with less than 500 employees) are eligible for up to $10,000 in financial support to hire a post-secondary student for 12 weeks to implement e-business practices and technologies. The Government of Canada will cover 75 per cent of the eligible wages and related expenses to carry out your project. The internship must be completed by March 31, 2010.

Applications guidelines and forms are online at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/sbip-pspe.nsf/eng/home (click on "Forms"). The deadline for applications is December 21, 2009.

Grow with Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) support

The SODP invites small and medium-size businesses and other organizations to apply for funding for projects that will help them expand, modernize, innovate and/or become more competitive.

Capital projects are eligible for up to 50 per cent in funding for eligible costs. Other projects, such as marketing, training, and productivity improvement, are eligible for up to 75 per cent in funding for eligible costs.

Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2009. For more information and application forms, visit the SODP website.

Electricity Incentive Retrofit Program (EIRP)

Get those applications in for Hydro One's EIRP - funding is limited and the deadline for both pre-approvals and post-installation rebates is December 31, 2009. Commercial, industrial, agricultural and institutional customers are eligible for this program, which encourages Ontario businesses to adopt energy-efficient technologies. There are rebates for installing specific technologies and also for custom projects. The maximum financial incentive is $500,000. For more information, visit the EIRP website or email ERIP@HydroOne.com.

Ontario Market Investment Fund (OMIF) promotes local food and rural economies

The Province continues to encourage Ontarians to buy local foods. Sixteen new projects have received funding through OMIF, including promotion of the Ontario Fresh Chicken brand, a marketing campaign for Ontario organic eggs and dairy products, and the launch of the Culinary Tourism Awards.

The four-year OMIF program has invested more than $4 million in 79 projects to date, from trade events to marketing campaigns and industry research initiatives.

If you have a project that promotes consumer awareness of Ontario-produced foods and encourages people to buy local, the application guidebook and form is available online at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/domestic/omif/omif.html.

Events

Nov. 18 - Ontario Food Protection Association Annual Meeting, Mississauga

This event is a great opportunity for food safety professionals to learn more about cross contamination and evolving food safety issues. OFPA's annual business meeting will also take place. For more information, visit www.ofpa.on.ca (click on "Events") or email ofpa-info@worldchat.com.

Nov. 24 & 25 - Energy 2009: Lean and Green Conference, Toronto

Canada's premier energy efficiency conference provides the latest information and tools to increase your energy efficiency and maximize profits. Learn about new advances in industrial energy efficiency from Canada's top experts, industry leaders and energy efficiency suppliers. Choose from many workshops, panel sessions and plant tours, and plan to visit the expanded Energy Showcase/Trade Show. The event is co-hosted by Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Industrial Program for Energy Conservation and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. For more details and to register, visit http://www.energy2009.ca.

Nov. 26 - State of the Food Industry, Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton

Leaders in Canada's food and beverage industry will be addressing the challenges and predicting best strategies for the future at the Guelph Food Technology Centre's one day symposium. A panel of top CEO's will discuss the keys to future success in food and beverage processing, supply and services. Other sessions will cover information on Food Regulatory Systems, Planning for the Recovery, Achieving Success after the Crisis and Latest Consumer Trends, Analysis and Behaviour discussions. Dianne Buckner, a business journalist with almost 20 years of experience and host for CBC's Dragon's Den will address what factors make the biggest impact on success. For a full line-up of speakers and sessions and to register, visit www.gftc.ca.

Dec. 2 & 3 - Dollars to $ense workshops, Ottawa

These energy efficiency workshops from Natural Resources Canada will benefit both your organization and the environment. Spot the Energy Savings Opportunities on December 2 will help you understand energy basics and identify up-front savings opportunities. Energy Monitoring on December 3 focuses on measuring the success of energy management projects. Both are full-day workshops. For more information or to register, visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/industrial/training-awareness/index.cfm?attr=24.

Training

New partnership for food safety education

Guelph Food Technology Centre has joined forces with the Royal Society for Public Health to deliver the internationally acknowledged Award Level programs, which provide formal recognition for food safety knowledge and experience. Food Safety Management for Manufacturing (Level 4 Award) is offered December 7-11. The course is geared to managers in the food and beverage industry who want to expand their knowledge about food safety and food hygiene, in order to develop and implement food safety management systems. See http://www.gftc.ca/coursereg/details.cfm?id=730 for more information and to register.