Ontario Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative
ON, Canada
The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative aims to support dairy processors in Ontario with funding for equipment upgrades to enhance processing efficiency and food safety.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 17, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 30, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
- Ministry of Agriculture
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative aims to provide cost-share support to dairy processors for equipment upgrades that enhance processing efficiencies and improve food safety. Eligible activities include incremental measures specifically required to enhance processing efficiencies and food safety in Ontario facilities. The initiative offers a 50% reimbursement of eligible costs up to a maximum of $200,000 per recipient.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is specifically tailored for dairy processing facilities located in Ontario. The initiative aims to fund improvements that enhance processing efficiencies and food safety within the province.
- Companies registered and operating in the province of Ontario, Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$55,000
Upgrade cooling systems to enhance dairy storage efficiency
$32,500
Install advanced product traceability system dairy facility
$22,500
Conduct first-time food safety audit in dairy facility
$50,000
Implement surveillance systems for food safety dairy facility
$95,000
Upgrade milk processing lines for improved efficiency
$40,000
Implement waste management system for dairy by-products
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative requires applicants to meet several specific criteria to be eligible for funding.
- The applicant must be a Dairy Processor.
- If processing cow or goat milk, the Dairy Processor must meet the licensing requirements under O. Reg. 761: Milk and Milk Products.
- If processing sheep or water buffalo milk, the Dairy Processor must meet the requirements of local Public Health Unit inspectors under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
- The applicant must provide a CRA BN, or SIN if eligible to receive Initiative Payment.
- A completed Ministry-approved Application Form must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines.
- The applicant must be undertaking eligible activities outlined in the guidelines.
- The applicant must have a valid and up-to-date Premises ID Number for the business location(s).
- The applicant must comply with environmental, labour, and tax-related legal requirements and be materially compliant with all other applicable laws.
- The applicant and its officers, directors, or employees must not be current or former federal public office holders or servants out of compliance with specified Canadian conflict of interest laws.
- The applicant must agree that intellectual property rights arising from the Project belong to them.
- The applicant must agree to allow Canada and Ontario to publish information about the Project if funding is received.
- The applicant must not be a member of the House of Commons or the Senate, unless permitted under the Parliament of Canada Act to receive such funding.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
To be eligible to apply for the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative, an applicant must be a dairy processor that processes cow, goat, sheep, or water buffalo milk. They must meet all necessary licensing and regulatory requirements, such as obtaining a Premises ID Number and complying with environmental, labor, and tax-related laws. Additionally, they cannot have any outstanding debts to Ontario or Canada without a repayment plan, and they must agree to the initiative's terms and conditions, including intellectual property rights agreements. The applicant should not be a current or former federal public office holder or servant, unless compliant with relevant Canadian ethical standards and conflict of interest regulations. They must provide a completed application form and necessary supporting documentation, such as written quotes for eligible costs, using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain entities based on their interrelation with governmental positions and existing financial liabilities. The restrictions ensure eligibility aligns with public interest and financial responsibility.
- Applicants or any officers, directors, or employees who are current or former federal public office holders or federal public servants not compliant with relevant conflict of interest regulations.
- Applicants or any officers, directors, or employees who are members of the House of Commons or the Senate unless permitted under the relevant Acts to receive such funding.
- Entities that owe a debt to Ontario or Canada without a repayment plan or those not compliant with existing repayment plans.
- Entities submitting false or misleading information, whether willful or negligent.
- Entities demonstrating abusive behavior towards Ministry staff.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative offers funding to support dairy processors in upgrading their equipment to boost efficiency and enhance food safety. The following activities have been identified as eligible for funding under this initiative:
- Incremental activities required to create or increase processing efficiencies for Ontario facilities.
- Incremental activities required to both create or increase processing efficiencies and improve food safety for Ontario facilities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to equipment upgrades and process enhancements to improve the efficiency and safety of dairy processing facilities.
- Costs incurred between April 1, 2024 and February 15, 2026.
- Equipment costs to increase cooler/freezer capacity, including condenser units, seals on cooler/freezer doors, and air flow upgrades.
- Waste management handling/processing costs, including equipment and structures for wastewater holding tanks, valves, and piping.
- Processing equipment costs, including conveyers, winches, hydraulics, bottling/bagging, automated tote washers, commercial grade dishwashers, bottle washers, form washers, plate coolers, scales, vacuum and other packaging, mixers, milk tanks, blend and mix tanks, pasteurizers, cream/milk separators, ice cream makers, cheese presses, homogenizers, clean-in-place (CIP) and clean-out-of-place (COP) systems, fermentation vats, tippers, x-ray machines.
- Costs to incorporate testing for monitoring, surveillance, data collection, lab testing and analysis, including pH meters, conductivity meters, and ATP test units.
- Equipment costs for product traceability improvements, including barcoding and product identification equipment.
- Engineering and professional services costs for equipment/processes and first-time food safety audit or certification.
- One-time training costs for key personnel on project-related equipment and technology ("train the trainer").
- One-time installation costs from third party service providers and minor building modifications specifically for the eligible equipment.
- Minor equipment or structural upgrades directly linked to installed equipment increasing productivity, capacity, or food safety.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative does not explicitly list detailed evaluation and selection criteria. However, the Ministry will review completed applications in the order they are received and evaluate them based on eligible activities and costs as set out in the guidelines.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Review Guidelines
- Read the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative guidelines completely.
- Ensure your project aligns with eligible activities and costs.
- Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Download the Ministry-approved Application Form.
- Fill out the form using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Ensure all required fields are complete and accurate.
- Step 3: Obtain Required Documentation
- Gather written quotes detailing proposed eligible costs from third-party providers.
- Ensure all documentation supports the proposed project and costs.
- Step 4: Submission of Application
- Email your completed Application Form and quotes to SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca.
- Ensure submission occurs between April 2, 2024, and November 30, 2025, or until funds are fully allocated.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional information regarding compliance, conflict of interest, and communications protocols can be essential for successful participation in the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative. Here is relevant information:
- Amendments to the Guidelines may occur without prior notice; any amendments will not have a retroactive effect.
- Errors and/or omissions in the Guidelines are accepted by Applicants and Recipients.
- The Initiative may be terminated at any time without prior notice.
- Submitting an Application Form does not create a right to participate nor a right to receive an Initiative Payment.
- Initiative Payments may be pro-rated if there is an insufficient amount of money to pay all Claims.
- The Initiative Payment is considered income for tax purposes under the Income Tax Act (Canada).
grant_single_labels|contact
SustainableCAP1@ontario.ca
Apply to this program
Enhance Your Dairy Processing Business Efficiency
This grant offers significant financial assistance for dairy processors aiming to upgrade their equipment to achieve enhanced processing efficiencies and improved food safety standards. By supporting 50% of the eligible costs up to a maximum of $200,000, the initiative empowers dairy businesses to modernize effectively.
Detailed Insight into the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative
The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aimed at driving advancements in food processing technology within the dairy sector. This initiative plays a crucial role in modernizing dairy processing facilities, thereby enabling Canadian dairy processors to increase their competitive edge both domestically and internationally. With a significant fund allocation of up to $8,000,000, the initiative covers an array of eligible activities and costs designed to enhance processing efficiencies and bolster food safety protocols.
Dairy processors across Ontario, including those dealing with cow, goat, sheep, and water buffalo milk, can benefit from this financial aid. A core feature of the initiative includes providing funds for equipment upgrades—essential for streamlining operations, boosting productivity, and improving the overall safety of dairy products. Eligible upgrades can range from enhancing cooler/freezer capacities to waste management improvements and product traceability systems, thereby addressing various bottlenecks in the processing chain.
By supporting the acquisition of advanced technology and infrastructure, the initiative helps recipients cut down on processing time and costs while ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards. Upgraded processing equipment like pasteurizers, milk tanks, and homogenizers not only enhance productivity but also facilitate the production of higher-quality dairy products, thereby meeting market demands more effectively.
Applicants interested in availing of this initiative need to demonstrate their projects' alignment with the initiative’s objectives. They are required to undergo a comprehensive evaluation process to ascertain their eligibility and feasibility of their proposed project plans. This involves submitting an in-depth application form accompanied by detailed quotes for proposed costs, ensuring transparency and sound planning.
Beyond the financial benefits, the initiative fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in the Ontario dairy processing sector. Participants are encouraged to continuously seek new methods and technologies to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive global market. Through such support, the initiative aims not only to enhance the economic viability of the dairy industry but also to contribute to broader agricultural sustainability goals.
Dairy processors considering this opportunity are advised to carefully assess the eligible and ineligible costs, and ensure compliance with all stipulated guidelines. Acceptance into the program not only brings financial support but also strategic advantages, including increased market access through improved product standards and operational capacities.
This initiative is a testament to the concerted efforts of the Ontario government and partners in supporting the agri-food sector by building more resilient and efficient food processing systems. For dairy businesses looking to modernize and expand their capabilities, this funding opportunity represents a strategic investment in their future, promoting sustainability, and ensuring long-term growth within the industry.
