“Donna Elliott”
“Economic
Development
Officer”
The Corporation of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula
P.O. Box 310, 315 George Street
Wiarton, On
N0H 2T0
Telephone: (519) 534-1400 ext. 123
Fax: (519) 534-4862
e-mail: tsbpecodev@bmts.com
REPORT RE: C.O.W.
REPORT NO: 05-11-2007
SUBJECT:
Purpose is to give Council an update of the various agri-business initiatives that are taking place
in the Counties.
Reminder of the Grey Bruce Regional Economic Development Partnership Advisory
Committee Meeting that is taking place Friday November 16 at Grey Roots County Museum at
which we will be discussing agri-business action items.
Presentation to Council on the Food Link Grey Bruce initiative.
BACKGROUND:
In 2006, the Grey Bruce Regional Economic Development Partnership (GBREDP) initiated and
completed the Agri-Value Added Strategy for Grey Bruce. This initiative was funded by both
Grey and Bruce Counties, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
(OMAFRA) and the Bruce Grey Huron Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board (BGHPGT).
The results of the study were presented at the Strength in Grey-Bruce Workshop in March
2007. This workshop was jointly sponsored by GBREDP and the Regional Tourism Marketing
Partnership. The purpose of the workshop was to provide for an orientation on the economic
development and tourism initiatives to the newly elected Councils in the Grey Bruce
municipalities. The Agri-Value Added Strategy for Grey Bruce has also been presented to both
Counties.
Since the release of the final Agri-Value Added Strategy for Grey Bruce , agricultural related
initiatives have taken on a higher profile. The emergence of the 100 Mile Diet, the concept of
Locovores, (those people who eat only locally grown food/produce), organic produce, culinary
tourism, increased interest in farm-gate sales and farmers markets has created a new dynamic
in the agri-business sector. While the Strategy may not be responsible for the increased agribusiness profile, it has raised the interest of groups involved in food production.
On October 15, the Grey Bruce Federation of Agriculture, Farmers Unions and Christian
Farmers sponsored an Agri-Food Conference. The purpose was to inform the public at large of
the recommendations in the Agri-Value Added Strategy for Grey Bruce . The conference
featured:
 George Schrivjer of WCM Consulting. George lead the team that researched and
authored the Agri-Value Added Strategy for Grey Bruce
 Don Mills of Local Flavours Plus
 Freeman Boyd spoke about the project he is co-ordinating through Bruce and Grey
Counties. Grey Bruce Agriculture and Culinary Association (GBACA) and Food Link
Grey Bruce (separate presentation)
 Linda Bumstead outlined Grey Bruce Health Unit’s involvement in food programs
 Chef Jason Grasman, form Georgian College gave an overview of the culinary program
at Georgian College
 Jean Stevenson from the Blue Water Board of education explained the High Skills farm
programme at Chesley and the school food programmes
 Kim McPhedran, Bruce County Tourism discussed the Culinary Tourism project
In September the provincial government produced a consultation document to stimulate
discussions about a successful future for the Ontario food industry. They have produced a draft
document entitled Strategy for Ontario’s Food and Beverage Processing Industry. The document
focuses on four elements considered vital to ensuring that Ontario food and beverage processing
sector has a strong innovation/productivity system that helps the industry remain competitive
and ensures that it continues to contribute to the Ontario economy and society. The four areas
are relationships, innovation, regulations, human resources and energy/environment. To
encourage input on the draft Strategy the Strategy Steering Committee has scheduled four
public consultations in November.
Closer to home, the Economic Development Officer (EDO) has been researching the possibility
of establishing a Farmers Market in Wiarton in the spring of 2008. There has been very
positive response to this initiative, and the EDO is still researching and consulting with relevant
partners on the concept. The EDO will provide an update on this initiative during the budget
process.
RECOMMENDATION:
No action required
Respectfully Submitted.
Approved by,
____________________________
Economic Development Officer
_________________________
Malcolm McIntosh, CAO
MPA, MCIP, RPP
Date:________________________
Date:_____________________
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