NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY- Agri-food producers and organizations across Northern Ontario play a key role in the sustainability of local food networks and economic development. COVID-19 has also amplified the importance of strengthening local farm and agri-food networks to prevent food insecurities and increase access for all Canadians. The Federal government has provided several measures and funding initiatives to ensure organizations can remain competitive and continue providing essential goods and services to Northern Ontario and Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury.

On August 12^th, 2020, FedNor announced $356,576 in support for the Local Food and Farm Co-Operative Inc (LFFC) in Warren, ON. This funding will support the implementation of a Pan-Northern Food Distribution Cluster which enables access to local food for rural areas and provides value-chain coordination, training and advisory support to communities and food co-operatives across Northern Ontario.

Shylah Wolfe, Project Manager at LFFC shared that this $356,576 Federal investment has allowed them to replace the North Eastern Regional Coordinator with Northern Food Distribution Network (NFDN) allowing them to focus on the distribution action plan and to liaise with the NFDN Steering Committee. Further, it enabled them to recruit an Indigenous Relations Coordinator to cultivate and bolster engagement with northern and remote communities.

Due to the pandemic, LFFC has had to modify its methods of operation and adapt to the circumstances. Presently they are providing online training webinars, working with neighbouring communities and varied stakeholders in an effort to collaborate and ensure that regional needs are met. These initiatives will improve market access and enterprise start-up and scale-up for food and farm producers, processors, social enterprises and co-operatives.

Quotes 

“Our local farmers, agri-food businesses and other industry partners play a critical role in our local economies. They’ve worked so hard through this pandemic. This investment will ensure that they can continue to offer our communities with a network of agri-food commodities that will help grow the local economy, integrate markets with rural areas and showcase the delicious goods that Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury and all of Northern Ontario has to offer. - MP Nickel Belt Marc G. Serré

“Investments in agriculture are important for the Markstay-Warren region and all of Northern Ontario. Our agricultural capabilities continue to grow and are an important economic driver for the region. It is most welcomed news to see this investment support the Local Food and Farm Co-Operative and I look forward to seeing how we can build stronger ties with agri-food and farm producers in the North.” - Mayor Markstay-Warren, Stephen Salonin

Quick facts

• The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s programs, which support projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
• FedNor is contributing more than $3 million to support 13 initiatives led by agri-food businesses and organizations that focus on innovation, clean-tech adoption, productivity enhancement and environmental sustainability in Northern Ontario.
  
  

Related products

• Backgrounder: FedNor investments support jobs, growth and agri-food opportunities across Northern Ontario.
  
  

Associated links

• Government of Canada COVID-19 Resources for Agriculture and the Agri-food Industry
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca
• Follow us on Twitter @FedNor
• Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

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Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
MP Nickel Belt Marc G. Serré
705-897-2222
[email protected]