Food Processing Innovation in Ontario – Resource Needs and Opportunities The Road to Defining a Centre of Excellence for Agriculture and Food Serving the Sector in Niagara and Beyond– Niagara College and Town of Lincoln - May 6, 2016 Al Brezina, Innovation Program Director, Food and Beverage Ontario

Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO) FBO is the provincial, professional leadership organization for food and beverage processors across Ontario. FBO promotes and supports a competitive Ontario industry locally and within the global marketplace. Member based organization, providing –Leadership –Advocacy –Collaboration –Networking –Strategic Initiatives, through Growing Forward 2 Developing Talent & A Future In Food Establishing A Food And Beverage Innovation Resource

Generates $40.7 billion in revenues, Accounts for 14% of Ontario’s total manufacturing revenues. Generates over 130,000 direct jobs. Numbers close to 3,000 processing businesses Majority of processors are micro and small with less than 99 employees Steady growth over time, in spite of economic downturns which impact other sectors. Food and Beverage Processing In Ontario: Industry Key Economic Facts

Food Processing Resources Information resources: Business/Operational Information, Financial support, Research, Regulatory, Advisory, Advocacy Websites –Examples: Food in Canada Buyers’ Guide, Canadian Food & Grocery Directory, FOODTECH, Food starter, Interactive Manufacturing Innovation Network, OMAFRA, Food Master, Canada Business Network, The Funding Portal, Food + Tech Connect, Provision Coalition In-person –OMAFRA, Municipal Economic Dev Staff –Colleges, Universities (Guelph and others) –Food (Kitchen) Incubators –Consultants, Suppliers –Industry Associations –Other processors Networks

Food processing unique facility requirements Food processing is done in a highly regulated environment under strict quality control protocols This includes: –A food-grade, clean production facility –Steam, water, laboratory - product development and quality assurance, waste systems, freezers, coolers, conditioned filtered air, pest control, etc. –Complete daily wash-down and sanitization. –Quality control processes and management –Employee facilities –Segregation of ingredients for food safety and allergen control –Certifications – food regulatory – Provincial or Federal (CFIA) –Other specialty certifications: organic, etc. Food processors need access to food-grade manufacturing space

Food Processing Innovation Facilities in Ontario Food Starter, Toronto* Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre – Colborne* Niagara College: Canadian Food and Wine Institute Innovation Centre* George Brown College: FIRSt University of Guelph pilot plant NSF-GFTC – pilot plant TBD Conestoga College - CRIFPT * Facility can produce commercial products

Capturing Regional Opportunities Leverage regional assets –Natural agricultural region with fruit and veg heritage –Location with deeper connectivity to the US –Ag/Food knowledge institutions –Existing food and beverage processors along with other industries Address the needs of food processors –Information – food processing technical, regulatory and business –Facilities to develop and to manufacture food –Municipal infrastructure which supports food processing Communication and branding Develop strong linkages –Build a regional network and connect it to an Ontario network Make it happen through “on-the-ground contact”

Thank you Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO) is the provincial professional leadership organization for food and beverage processors across Ontario.