Food News, July 2018

 
  Food News, July 2018
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 Grant Programs
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The following two grant programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the successor of the 2013-18 Growing Forward 2) are now accepting applications!

Products to Markets
The Program is designed to enable growth of Alberta’s agricultural industries by supporting the development of new products and/or processes, commercialization of products in new markets, and expansion into local, domestic and international markets.
  • Eligible applicants include food processors, bio-industrial processors, new entrants producers who are adding value past primary agricultural production, producers who are involved in international market development activities and industry organizations. To determine if you are eligible or for a complete list of eligible expenses for each eligible activity, read the program’s terms and conditions.
  • The cost share is 50 per cent for non-capital items, and 25 per cent on capital items. See the funding list for full details.
  • The funding level is $50,000 maximum grant/applicant/ fiscal year. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis and assessed based on the Program eligibility criteria.
Value- Added Products to Markets
This program is designed to enable growth of businesses through increased sales related to the development of new products, adoption of state-of-the-art processes, commercialization of products in new markets, and expansion of their business in local, domestic and international markets.
Eligible applicants are: food and bio - industrial processors. New entrants and industry organizations are NOT eligible.
The cost share is 50 per cent for non-capital items, and 25 per cent on capital items. See the funding list for full details and information on any activity funding maximums.
  • The funding level is $500,000 maximum grant/applicant/ fiscal year.
  • Applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis, subject to program eligibility and assessment criteria. Assessment Criteria is outlined in the program’s terms and conditions, 4.0.
  • The first application submission deadline is August 22, 2018. Completed applications must be received by 11:59 pm on this day in order to be considered for funding and assessed. Please check this website regularly for submission deadline updates.
On July 18, an information webinar was held to explain the two grant programs. You can find the recording here.

Events
Alberta Natural Health Products / Functional Ingredients Industry Network Meeting
August 23, 2018 – Edmonton
This half-day meeting provides an opportunity for the sector to come together to network, gather information, showcase sector activities, and discuss challenges and potential solutions. In addition, a facilitated session is planned to gather industry interest in branding through collaboration. The meeting will include a tour of Agriculture and Forestry’s Bio Processing Innovation Centre in Edmonton. For more information and to register, contact albertanaturalsector@gov.ab.ca.

Supermarket Trade Show
February 13-15, 2019 - Tokyo, Japan
The Supermarket Trade Show, coordinated by the New Supermarket Association of Japan (NSAJ), is a key opportunity for exporters targeting the Japanese retail, wholesale, ready meal and foodservice industry. The Embassy of Canada to Tokyo is a sub-member of the NSAJ, and can facilitate advance access to apply for the show for Canadian companies wishing to purchase their own booth space. This is an important tradeshow for companies whose products are already present in Japan, and who are looking to expand their reach in the market. There may also be opportunities to showcase Alberta products already present in the Japanese market via an information booth, without company travel to Japan. For additional details, please contact Katie.Meredith@gov.ab.ca.

SIAL Paris, France and the Netherlands Trade Mission October 16-26, 2018
AF is leading a mission to Paris, France to attend the SIAL Paris show. In addition, we are also proposing to organize a two-day program that will focus on exploring opportunities in the Netherlands ahead of SIAL. The program will feature potential buyers meetings, site visits and will help companies understand the viability for their product in that particular market. Contact Dusan.Rnjak@gov.ab.ca to indicate your interest and receive full details, once available.

Programs
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is accepting Workforce Grant Applications for 2018-19
Processors, producers and industry organizations (in the case of direct benefit to their membership) may apply. The
  • Workforce Development Initiative has two grants open:Retention Improvement Grant. Eligible activities: Human Resource expertise to identify and coach on retention strategy development, retention improvements and supervisory training.
  • Productivity Improvement Grant.  Eligible activities: Expertise to identify and provide coaching on production process improvements and/or environmental process improvements.
Funds are up to $25,000; cost share is 80 per cent of eligible expenses incurred by an approved applicant upon completion of the approved activities to a maximum of $25,000 per applicant in the fiscal year. Eligible expenses are consulting fees paid to a third-party consultant to complete eligible activities. For questions, contact Gerard Bos at 780-980-4222.
    Food Processing Development Centre
    Many food industry innovations, including the launch of new products or the implementation of new processes, are driven by research targeting these practical objectives. This is applied research and is a focus of food scientists at the Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC) in Leduc, Alberta.  For example, it is important to understand the impact of ingredient changes (e.g., sodium reduction) on the quality, functionality and safety of food products. Through applied research, FPDC scientists use a strong science and technology base to address current and emerging consumer demands, as well as industry-wide issues.  For more information please contact us at 780-986-4793 or email ken.fahner@gov.ab.ca. 

    Regulatory Updates
    Proposed Approach to Cost Recovery for the Regulation of Cannabis
    Health Canada is seeking feedback on the ‘Proposed approach to cost recovery for the regulation of cannabis’. Cost recovery is based on the principle that the general public should not bear the cost of government activities where private parties gain the main social or economic benefit. The fees outlined in this proposed approach build on the Cannabis Regulations. The proposed fees would apply to: cultivators, processors, nurseries, sellers of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes. This consultation will be open between July 12 and August 13, 2018. Before participating, read the consultation document about the proposed approach to cost recovery for the regulation of cannabis. Please complete the online consultation.

    AFPA
    Food Safety and Quality Training
    FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food (PCQI) – August 13 – 15– 2.5 days - Calgary
    BRC Implementing the Standard – September 11, 12 - Calgary
    Vulnerability Assessment for Food Fraud – September 7 - Calgary
    Developing Your Environmental Monitoring Program – September 24  -Calgary
    Listeria Hazard & Control – September 25  - Calgary
    Verification & Validation of your Food Safety System – September 18 - Edmonton
    Principles of Internal Auditing – September 19  - Edmonton
    Documenting your Food Safety System – September 20  - Edmonton
    To register, contact melody@afpa or visit http://afpa.com/fsq_courses

    Workplace Health & Safety
    Alberta Food Processors Association has some great resources to help you adopt the new farm safety regulations. Contact us today for onsite training, or assistance with your program. ed@afpa.com.

    Food News is available in pdf format: (313KB)

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    Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
    (Dial 310-0000 for toll-free access)
    Alberta-Ag-Info Centre 310-FARM
    Crop Extension Section – 780-643-6249
    Livestock and Farm Business Section - 780-968-6556
    Local/Domestic Market Expansion Section - 780-968-3553
    Sector Development Section - 780-427-4187
    Safe Food Section 780-415-4570
     
     
     
     
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    For more information about the content of this document, contact Lindsay Rodriguez.
    This information published to the web on July 23, 2018.
    Last Reviewed/Revised on July 24, 2018.