Ontario Helping Burnbrae Farms Ltd. Innovate and Expand Production

Company to receive $100,000 through Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative

September 12, 2024

BROCKVILLE – Ontario is partnering with the federal government to support Burnbrae Farms Limited’s efforts to enhance operational efficiencies and productivity by providing $100,000 in funding through the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative.

The investment will assist Burnbrae’s Brockville facility with the purchase of custom cooking equipment and other equipment to support batching, packaging, and utilities for new scrambled egg and future innovative products.

“With this investment in Burnbrae Farms, we are driving economic growth in our region and helping the company meet customer demand today and into the future,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “The agriculture and agri-food sector is a vital part of our local economy and I look forward to the positive ripple effects today’s announcement will have throughout our local communities.”

MPP Clark made the announcement at today’s Annual General Meeting of the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation.

“Burnbrae Farms is committed to supplying its customers across Canada with top-quality and innovative egg products”, said Ian McFall, Executive V.P. Foodservice & Industrial Sales. “This funding supports our efforts to grow our business and to contribute to the development of a sustainable agri-business economy in eastern Ontario.”

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative will support 319 farming and agribusinesses across the province through an investment of up to $22.6 million. Funding will be used to help them invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will increase their resiliency, productivity, and efficiency.

“Our government knows that supporting innovation in Ontario’s agriculture and food sector is key to it reaching its potential, while securing our collective ability to achieve the ambitious goals in our Grow Ontario Strategy,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “These investments will allow established and emerging businesses to speed up efforts to optimize their operations and support growth for our agriculture and food sector.”

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative was developed following discussions with Ontario’s farming and agribusiness industry. It is part of a series of initiatives the government has implemented to support these businesses and is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Under the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, applicants could receive up to 50 per cent of their eligible project costs, for investments of up to $100,000. For projects requiring a larger investment or projects that improve energy efficiency, applicants could receive up to 35 per cent of their eligible project costs, for up to $100,000 in funding.

Approved projects are to be completed by the end of 2027.

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MPP Steve Clark with former 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Russell and John Esford, Burnbrae Farms Senior Director, Industrial Sales & Business Development.