Governments Investing to Help Ontario’s Fruit Sector Grow

NEWS

November 13, 2024

LAMBTON-KENT-MIDDLESEX- The governments of Ontario and Canada are helping 128 apple, tender fruit, and table grape producers across the province grow more popular and resilient varieties of fruit. The Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, with funding through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), is supporting these projects through a $4.4 million investment.

In Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative is supporting 9 apple producers including 1 tender fruit producer through investments ranging from $7,500 to $50,000.

Growers are replanting more than 94 acres of apples and more than 60 acres of tender fruit and table grapes. The range of new fruit varieties being planted have greater appeal with changing consumer tastes, are more resilient, and have enhanced resistance to pests and diseases. These varieties include Coral Star and Summer Serenade peaches and Gala and Honeycrisp apples.

“I’m proud to see our governments supporting local fruit producers and rural communities through the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative. This funding will help our farmers grow the varieties we love while adapting to changing conditions. It’s a win for our agriculture sector and for everyone who enjoys fresh, local fruit.” Said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.

“This initiative is just one way our government is supporting Ontario fruit growers, reinforcing their long-term competitiveness, and enhancing agritourism,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Since 2018, we’ve created almost 30,000 new agri-food jobs, nearly $3 billion in added agri-food GDP, and boosted agricultural exports by 65% to $26.2 billion because of strategic sector supports like the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative.”

The GFOI is a three-year, $8 million initiative providing eligible fruit producers with cost-share funding to purchase vines or trees of popular fruit varieties. Applications are still being accepted for tender fruit, table grapes and wine grapes. Under the Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, eligible producers can receive 75 per cent of cost-share funding for plants.

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. 

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