Burnbrae Farms in Brockville secures $100K in funding through agri-tech initiative to support innovation

Burnbrae Farm’s’s Brockville facility is benefiting from a $100,000 funding boost from federal and provincial governments.

The funding comes from the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, and aims to enhance operational efficiencies by purchasing custom cooking equipment and other equipment to support batching, packaging and utilities for new scrambled egg and future innovative products.

“With this investment in Burnbrae Farms, we are driving economic growth in our region and helping the company meet customer demand today and into the future,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes in an announcement at the Sept. 12 annual general meeting of the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation. “The agriculture and agri-food sector is a vital part of our local economy and I look forward to the positive ripple effects today’s announcement will have throughout our local communities.”

Executive V.P. Foodservice & Industrial Sales Ian McFall noted that Burnbrae Farms is committed to supplying its customers across Canada with top-quality and innovative egg products. “This funding supports our efforts to grow our business and to contribute to the development of a sustainable agri-business economy in eastern Ontario.”

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative will support 319 farming and agribusinesses across the province through an investment of up to $22.6 million. Funding will be used to help them invest in innovative technology, equipment or processes that will increase their resiliency, productivity, and efficiency.

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative was developed following discussions with Ontario’s farming and agribusiness industry. It is part of a series of initiatives the government has implemented to support these businesses and is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Under the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative, applicants could receive up to 50 per cent of their eligible project costs, for investments of up to $100,000. For projects requiring a larger investment or projects that improve energy efficiency, applicants could receive up to 35 per cent of their eligible project costs, for up to $100,000 in funding.

Approved projects are to be completed by the end of 2027.