FedNor funds will enable the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion, which allows close to 50 regional businesses to attend the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

STURGEON FALLS- Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Official Languages, today announced a FedNor investment of $716,800 in the continued operation of the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (the Royal). The funding will allow Economic Partners Sudbury East/West Nipissing Inc. (EPSEWN) to host close to 50 Northern Ontario agri-food and services businesses at the annual global event. Today’s announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.

The Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion (the Pavilion), which has been a premier attraction at the Royal for over two decades, has grown in size and scope reaching an impressive 7,100 square feet. Since 2015, the FedNor-funded pavilion has featured close to 400 businesses and organizations from across Northern Ontario.

As a result of their participation in the Pavilion, exhibitors experience many benefits including increased sales, new customers, growth opportunities, and new partnerships and collaborations. This strategic initiative will help strengthen and grow Northern Ontario businesses while enabling them to expand outside of the region. This year’s Pavilion is expected to showcase 45+ Northern Ontario agri-food producers and service organizations at the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Quotes

“The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a world-class event, and the Government of Canada is proud to support growers and producers from Northern Ontario in attending. A wide range of incredible goods and services can be found across our region, and this FedNor investment will ensure that our agri-food sector receives a deserved spotlight on an international stage.” - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for FedNor

“FedNor’s investment in the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion helps businesses in the north find new markets so they can continue to grow. Supporting the success of our agri-food businesses ensures that the great products we love remain available to us, and that the rest of the world has an opportunity to discover some of the many treasures here in our region.” - Marc G. Serré Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Official Languages

“We are proud of the unique attraction that is the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion. This partnership with FedNor represents a great opportunity for our region’s businesses and organizations to receive deserved exposure. The Pavilion is a gem and has become a not-to-be-missed fixture of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and we are excited to see what incredible products and services this year’s edition offers.”- Patrick Keough, Chair of the Board of Directors, Economic Partners Sudbury East/West Nipissing Inc

Quick facts

• The FedNor-supported Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion has been a part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair since 2001 and has since more than tripled in size and number of exhibitors.
• Since 2015, exhibitors at the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion generated over $8 million in on-site and projected sales.
• The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair began in 1922, making the indoor agricultural and equestrian event over 100 years old.
• The funds announced today are provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.

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Media Contact:

Kaylie Dudgeon - Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré  MP Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Energy and Natural Resources an Parliamentary Secretary of Official Languages
705-507-2416
[email protected]