Nearly $468K headed to Quinte food producers amid ongoing U.S. trade challenges

Three agri-food businesses in the Quinte region are receiving a combined $467,663 in provincial and federal funding to expand production, improve efficiency and reach new markets.

The funding, announced by Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp, is being provided through the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative, which aims to help Ontario farmers and food processors expand their operations and strengthen their competitiveness amid ongoing trade challenges.

The three local recipients are:

• Quinte Custom Foods in Quinte West: Up to $290,156 to expand production and storage capacity.
• Sprague Foods Limited in Belleville: Up to $107,507.71 for equipment and other capital investments aimed at improving productivity and expanding into new markets.
• Wild Lot Farm Distillery in Prince Edward County: Up to $70,000 to support the expansion of its canned cocktail business across Ontario and Canada.

“By funding products that scale up food production in Bay of Quinte, we are driving economic growth in the region,” said Allsopp in a Monday, Nov. 9 media release. “I look forward to the positive ripple effects this will have throughout our local communities.”

The local funding is part of a broader $22-million investment supporting more than 130 projects across Ontario.

According to the province, the initiative is expected to generate more than $110 million in private-sector investment and create more than 900 jobs.

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Sam Oosterhoff said the funding is intended to help the province’s agricultural sector withstand the effects of U.S. tariffs while expanding trade opportunities.

“We are laser focused on expanding markets and trade opportunities for Ontario farmers and agribusinesses,” said Oosterhoff in the release.

“The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is protecting agri-food jobs and agribusiness resilience in the face of unprovoked tariffs from Donald Trump. This $22 million investment is unleashing over $110 million in private sector investment, creating over 900 new good-paying jobs and keeping Ontario’s food supply chain secure, sovereign and self-reliant.”

Representatives of the local businesses welcomed the funding.

Ed Lamers, president of Quinte Custom Foods, said the investment will allow the company to increase production of its ready-to-eat frozen pouch products.

“This investment helps us expand production and storage capacity for our new ready-to-eat frozen pouch products right here in Quinte West, so we can sell more Ontario-made food across Canada and in new markets around the world,” said Lamers. “In the face of U.S. tariffs, it supports good jobs in the Bay of Quinte and a more secure, self-reliant food supply. We thank Minister Oosterhoff and MPP Allsopp for their support.”

Keenan Sprague, president of Sprague Brand, Sprague Foods, said the funding will help the Belleville cannery remain competitive through equipment upgrades and other improvements.

“Sprague Foods makes nutritious, healthy food for Canadian families and for export markets. This support from the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative helps us make the capital investments and upgrades that keep our Belleville cannery competitive. A more efficient plant means we can grow into new markets and, ultimately, deliver real savings to grocery shoppers. We’re grateful to Minister Oosterhoff and MPP Allsopp for investing in Ontario food manufacturing.”

The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement supporting Canada’s agricultural sector.

The initiative offers cost-sharing funding through three streams, with funding amounts varying depending on the type of project.

Approved projects must be completed by Oct. 15, 2027.