November 10, 2014 – Vineland Station, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Member of Parliament Dean Allison (Niagara West-Glanbrook), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment of $410,545 to the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers’ Marketing Board (OTFPMB) to develop new varieties suited to the province’s soil conditions and climate.

This investment from AAFC’s AgriInnovation Program, under Growing Forward 2, will enable OTFPMB to produce new varieties of tender fruits and fresh grapes. These new varieties, which can be introduced to consumers earlier in the season, will help producers gain greater market share in the fruit sector.

This investment builds on previous support of $167,000 provided to OTFPMB under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) in Ontario, for projects to evaluate and improve tender tree fruit varieties and breeding to enhance tender fruit quality and marketability.

Quick Facts

The OTFPMB is a not-for-profit organization representing all Ontario producers of peaches, nectarines, plums and prunes, pears and sweet & sour cherries who market to either the fresh or processing markets.
The OTFPMB works closely with the trade industry, growers and dealer-shippers to meet consumers’ changing demand.
The tender fruit and grape sectors are estimated to bring over $250M in total farm gate value.
The AgriInnovation Program is a five-year, up to $698 million program under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework, and is designed to accelerate the pace of innovation by supporting research and development activities in agri-innovations.

Quotes

“The tender fruit and grape sectors play an important role in our economy. Advancing research to improve tender fruit and grape quality and availability, and developing new varieties will increase the sustainability, competitiveness and profitability of these sectors.”

- Dean Allison
Member of Parliament (Niagara West-Glanbrook)

“Development of new varieties for the Ontario Tender Fruit industry will result in economic benefits to our growers and business partners. On behalf of the industry, I extend sincere appreciation to the Government of Canada for their investment in our future.”

- Phil Tregunno
Chair OTFPMB

Additional Links
Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
AgriInnovation Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
OTFPMB

Media Contacts
Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Sarah Marshall
Manager
Ontario Tender Fruit Producers’ Marketing Board
905-688-0990