Regional Innovations Awarded In Blind River

The following are Regional Award winners of the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence:

Algoma District

Algoma Farm Fresh - Desbarats

Areas of Northern Ontario with little or no agricultural production will still have access to fresh Ontario foods this year.  John Tindall of Algoma Farm Fresh is launching a mobile farmers' market which will supply frozen beef, meat products as well as other in season fresh produce every two weeks, starting in June 2010.  Algoma Farm Fresh will promote Ontario agriculture, keep dollars in the northern economy, and offer new food experiences for northern consumers.

Algoma Sheep and Lamb Producers - Echo Bay

Sheila Harris, Colleen Alloi and Heather Jansa are sheep and lamb producers who recognize that co-operation can be profitable. The three have worked together to co-ordinate lambings and build a year-round farm gate market for lamb. This also helps keep area meat shops and a local health food store continually supplied with a consistent product. Their lamb cookbook has sold 300 copies and their wool is processed together into yarn and blankets that give customers a wider range of colours. With their profits, the group has purchased a large shared freezer and a shrink wrapper, so they can sell individual cuts of lamb, rather than just sides. Their collaboration has increased sales and reduced costs.  These shepherds know how to promote Ontario lamb and keep customers flocking to their businesses.

Sudbury District

Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative Inc. - Sudbury

Sudbury area consumers looking for farm fresh local foods need to look no farther than the Eat Local Sudbury Co-operative - a one-stop shop for farmers to sell and for consumers to buy local food. The co-operative's programs include a "Meet the Farmer" marketing campaign and a 'buyers' club' where customers can place orders which are then filled by area farmers and delivered to a centralized location for distribution. The work of the co-operative has evolved to include a permanent store that sells local products year round. The group also works with restaurants and other end users to eliminate barriers to using local ingredients. 

About the Awards Program

Awards - The five-year, $2.5-million Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program is now in its fourth year. There can be up to 55 regional award winners chosen annually, with a cash prize of $5,000 each. From these winners, a Minister's Award of up to $50,000 and a Premier's Award of up to $100,000 are selected.

Who is eligible? - A farmer, primary producer, groups of farmers, combination of agri-food businesses, or an agri-food related organization are all eligible for recognition under this initiative. A farmer must be one of the applicants of any group. This program is not intended for the research community as there are other government recognition programs available to this sector. Applicants/nominees must reside in Ontario and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Ontario Public Service staff and immediate family are not eligible to apply for this program.

Types of eligible innovations - Examples of innovations for this program include (but are not limited to) improved farm practices, responding to consumer demands, environmental stewardship, health and safety on the farm, energy innovations, education and marketing of agriculture to society, local food, and traceability initiatives.