Canada and Manitoba are putting over $6 million into helping 19 food businesses in the province upgrade their tools and grow their operations. Winnipeg Free Press
Government funding supports Manitoba food processors
The governments of Canada and Manitoba have teamed up to invest over $6 million to upgrade and expand food processing facilities across Manitoba. This support comes through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a federal and provincial funding program aimed at strengthening the agriculture and food industry.
The announcement was made by federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn. A total of 19 food processors will benefit from this funding. These businesses will use the money to install modern equipment, expand facilities, and adopt advanced technologies. The goal is to improve productivity, increase capacity, and protect the environment.
Where the money is going
Several well-known companies are getting the funds to improve their operations. These include:
- Jowett Farms in Blumenort – to boost refrigeration and speed up their processing line.
- River Valley Specialty Farms in Bagot – to install a new high-accuracy sorting machine.
- Prairie Flour Mills in Elie – to expand their grain receiving operations.
- Buffalo Creek Mills in Altona – to double the output of their oat flaking process.
- Prairie Fava in Glenboro – to increase their storage space for better efficiency.
Leaders speak on the impact
Minister Heath MacDonald explained the importance of the investment:
“When we invest in food processors, we’re helping them grow, stay competitive, and ensure they can keep putting their high-quality food on tables here in Canada and around the world. These projects will help build a stronger, more resilient food system while supporting good jobs in the process.”
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn also shared his thoughts:
“These investments support our economy, strengthen our communities, and ensure sustainable food security for generations. By enhancing our local food infrastructure, we help to create jobs, reduce our carbon footprint, and foster a resilient food system that benefits everyone.”
Maple Leaf Foods welcomes support
One of the major beneficiaries, Maple Leaf Foods, will use the funds to upgrade its pork processing plant in Brandon. Denis Organ, the company’s President of Pork Operations, said:
“We’re grateful for the support from the governments of Canada and Manitoba through Sustainable CAP. This investment will help us modernize our Brandon pork facility with state-of-the-art equipment, improving reliability, efficiency, and production quality. This investment positions us to increase processing capacity, create new jobs and strengthen Canada's food system while meeting growing consumer demand.”
More about Sustainable CAP
Sustainable CAP is a five-year initiative with $3.5 billion in total funding. The program aims to make Canada’s agriculture and food industry stronger and more innovative. Of this, $1 billion comes from federal programs, and the remaining $2.5 billion is shared between federal and provincial governments. The funding supports projects that help modernize food production, improve safety, and create jobs.
