Organic food marketer wins twice
Friday, May 27, 2011
by BETTER FARMING STAFF
An organic food marketer that will begin to supply 154 Sobeys Inc. grocery stores in Quebec this year is one of several southwestern Ontario farm and agri-businesses to receive a 2010 regional Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.
“I thought it was great for everybody that received the award,” says Ted Soudant, president of Field Gate Organics Inc. of the awards ceremony held in Wingham on Thursday.
It can be tough to get new ideas financed, he says. It demands more work than an idea that might not be as innovative. The regional award program provides “some recognition of all that extra hard work and thought that’s been put into it,” he says.
The Zurich, Huron County company, owned by 40 farmer shareholders, operates a federally inspected, multi-species certified organic packing plant in Ingersoll.
Four other award recipients on Thursday were pork producers: The Whole Pig, Dashwood; Whispering Brook Yorkshires, Clifford; Kraayenbrink Farms Limited, Moorefield; and Willowgrove Hill, Mitchell.
Willowgrove Hill was also the provincial Premier’s Award 2010 winner. Every year the winners of the Premier’s Award and Minister’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence are also recognized in their home regions, says Elizabeth McClung, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which administers the awards.
Others receiving a regional award on included: Gordon’s Goat Dairy, Wroxeter; Clifford; Carrick Wines Inc., Mildmay; Love’s Sweetness, Holstein; Stonaleen Farms Ltd., Listowel; Garden Party, St. Agatha; and Ellcrest Farms, Moorefield.
Provincial organizations can also be recipients, she adds and this year Mushrooms Canada (Ontario) and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, both in Guelph, were recognized at the Wingham event.
Mushrooms Canada (Ontario) was recognized for its campaign to raise funds for breast cancer that generated $61,000 for research.
The Farm Animal Council was recognized for its FarmzOnWheelz interactive touring exhibit. The exhibit provides information to teens and their families about agricultural issues such as animal welfare, food safety, nutrition and renewable energy. BF