Strengthening the Dairy Processing Sector

Smiths Falls Dairy Farm Receives Funding Through Dairy Processors Modernization Initiative

January 21, 2025

Smiths Falls – The governments of Ontario and Canada are supporting 70 dairy processing businesses across Ontario, including Milkhouse Farm & Dairy in Smiths Falls. The business will receive up to $45,900 through the Dairy Processors Modernization Initiative, which provides cost-shared funding to dairy processors to help improve efficiency, capacity and food safety through their acquisition of modern ways of processing milk products.

Milkhouse Farm & Dairy will receive this funding to purchase and install milk storage freezers, hot water storage tank, heat recovery ventilator, heat pump water heaters, low temperature heat pump and HVAC units to increase milk and cheese storage capacity to reduce energy consumption. It will also purchase equipment to reduce movement and contamination between different areas of the cheese factory and reduce chances of contamination from spills and spread of food safety hazards.

“This government continues to support our rural dairy farms and help them grow, enhance and modernize their processing capacity,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston. “That’s why I am proud that Milkhouse Farm & Dairy received this funding, to purchase processing equipment that will improve food safety and productivity, while strengthening the agri-food business.”

The Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative is still accepting applications from cow, goat, sheep and water buffalo milk processors until the program is fully subscribed. The initiative provides up to $200,000 in cost-shared funding to each successful applicant to help dairy processing businesses increase production efficiency and food safety in their facilities. Funding can be used to help cover the cost of new or refurbished equipment, training and more. The governments of Ontario and Canada are investing up to $8 million in the initiative through the Sustainable Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

“Ontario’s dairy processors have shown remarkable growth over the last several years and continue to produce safe, high-quality dairy products for domestic and international consumers,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “The success of the Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative underscores the health and vitality of Ontario’s growing dairy industry, and its ability to rapidly seize opportunities to modernize and increase processing capacity and food safety.”

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

John Jordan, MPP Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston

www.johnjordanmpp.ca

john.jordan@pc.ola.org

613-284-1630

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