Grains Innovation Fund open for proposals

Ontario’s Grains Innovation Fund is open for applications. The fund, administered by the Grain Farmers of Ontario, supports retail and industry projects that develop novel, value-added uses or promote new markets for Ontario grains.

Individuals, organizations, or companies can qualify for up to 60 per cent of the cost of the project — up to a maximum of $50,000.

“Over the last 11 years, the Grains Innovation Fund has invested $1.2 million in more than 45 projects helping to create new market opportunities for Ontario grain” says Nicole Mackellar, market development manager at Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Ontario growers produce high quality barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat, and this Fund enables companies with new grains-based products to achieve success and drive the use and open new markets for Ontario grains.”

Eligible projects must either:

• Open new markets for Ontario grains;
• Expand the use and demand for Ontario grains;
• Promote Ontario grains as the best choice for consumers and/or the food value chain domestically or abroad; and/or
• Increase the value for Ontario grains through the development of new, value-added uses.

Past projects include the Straw Boss, that pellets Ontario wheat straw for livestock, promoting the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program overseas, and Henry‘s Tempeh marketing campaign in support for tempeh produced from Ontario IP soybeans.

Applications for the Grains Innovation Fund must be submitted by October 30, 2020 at 4 p.m. Information about the fund and the application process is available at www.gfo.ca/market-development.