Waterloo-Based Food Processor Receives $713,000 Funding Grant from AAFC
The Waterloo-based business has received a $713,000 grant from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through Growing Forward 2’s AgriInnovation Program to help scale up its production. With over 700 acres in production, and located in the heart of Ontario’s apple growing region, Martin’s Family Fruit Farms have been family owned and operated since 1971.
Martin’s Family Farm Seizes Opportunity to Benefit from Increase in Demand for Healthy Snacking
Martin’s Family Farm’s passion for farming and commitment to quality and freshness has already helped the business to become one of North America’s largest growers, packers and shippers of flavourful, extra-crisp apples. But with a recent increase in demand for healthy alternatives to traditional snack foods, Martin’s Family Farm began producing apple chips, and in time they will also produce a wide variety of other types of vegetable chips, including sweet potato, carrot, and tomato chips.
“We certainly have noticed an increasing demand for healthy snacking. There’s tremendous potential in that marketplace” Peter Katona, Martin’s sales and marketing manager told the CBC.
Government Funding Opportunities about for Agriculture and Agri-Food Business in Canada
With food and beverage processing expected to remain a leading growth engine, the federal and provincial governments are continuing to offer funding opportunities to small and medium-sized businesses interested in growth and productivity improvement activities. One of the most significant of these programs is Growing Forward 2 which offers both federal and provincial streams of funding.
Learn about Funding Opportunities for Agriculture and Agri-Food Processors by Attending a Free Canadian Government Funding Workshop or Webinar
Mentor Works holds regular Canadian government funding workshops and webinars in order to educate owners of established small and medium-sized businesses of business grant and loan programs available to help overcome financial obstacles to growth. You can also sign up for our Canadian government funding weekly e-newsletter in order to stay on top of news and other developments in the world of government funding.