Agri-Processing Food News - November 2005

Market Technology Program

The Market Technology Program (MTP), funded through the Agriculture and Food Council’s CARD program and administered by Food Beverage Canada, offers the Alberta agri-processing industry an economical means of accessing information about the rapidly changing food industry. The program provides cost sharing for travel to select national and international trade shows, conferences and industry events for Alberta food processing companies. Contact Food Beverage Canada at 1-800-493-9767 or whindle@foodbeveragecanada.com or look for program details and applications at www.foodbeveragecanada.com.


Assistance for Environmental Sustainability Projects

The AESA Processing Based Program is designed to assist agri-food processors to develop and adopt more environmentally friendly processing practices and policies. The program also helps build industry environmental stewardship and consumer confidence through awareness, extension and education programs. The program provides grants on a cost-shared basis for eligible projects, with the maximum available of $20,000 per project.

There are two types of projects that can be funded under this program. The first are Type I projects that are initiated by individual private sector applicants who conduct the projects for their sole benefit, and may receive up to 50 percent of eligible costs. The second type are Type II projects, which tend to be generic research projects undertaken by either private or public sector companies that provide an industry-wide benefit. These projects may receive up to 100 percent of eligible costs.

All projects considered for funding under the AESA Processing Based Program must show some form of industry contribution toward the total project cost. Assistance can be provided for different types of projects, including identifying industry status and needs on environmentally sustainability issues, raising industry awareness and understanding of environmentally sustainability issues, and projects that add to industry potential for long-term competitive viability. Other projects consistent with the objectives of the program will also be considered.

The AESA Processing Based Program is available to Canadian companies registered to carry on business in Alberta, or a recognized government or academic research establishment in Alberta. To find out more about the program, project and cost eligibility, and how to apply, go to: www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/fpdc6545?opendocument

Dairy Ingredient R&D Assistance Available

Alberta food processors can now benefit from new funding programs offered by the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) with technical expertise provided by food scientists at the Leduc Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC). Available funds will encourage food and dairy companies to develop new healthier and innovative products and packaging utilizing dairy ingredients.

The Direct Access Fund allows companies to seek expert advice directly from FPDC for up to 7.5 hours of free consultation on a specific project. If a company requires additional technical advice in excess of 7.5 hours, the CDC may elect to share the costs associated with the additional consultation(s) up to a maximum contribution of $1,500.

The Innovation Support Fund is available for developing new and re-formulated dairy products/ components and further processed products that utilize milk or milk ingredients. The Fund provides support of up to 75% of a project’s cost, to a maximum of $25,000.

For more details, contact Jacqueline Martin Lopez, FPDC at 780-980-4867 or Shana Bailey, CDC at 1-866-366-0676.

To obtain a copy of the recently revised brochure “Programs for Business Growth – 2005/06” for Alberta’s Agri-Processors, call 403-340-7625 or 780-427-7325. (Dial 310-0000 for toll-free access)