From the Region of Durham Website
January 15, 2018:
The Regional Municipality of Durham’s Economic Development Division (Agriculture and Rural Affairs) is launching a Local Food Business Retention and Expansion project for the Region of Durham—which will support local business development and job creation in the agri-food sector.
Throughout the first quarter of 2018, trained volunteers will conduct confidential interviews with a variety of local agricultural businesses to understand needs, concerns and opportunities for producers, manufacturers, distributors, and food service providers within Durham Region. These survey responses will then be analyzed to identify opportunities to improve the local agri-food sector in Durham Region. Please note that no individual business information will be made public.
“Our local agri-food related businesses help to shape this community. We need to support, retain and create opportunities for these local entrepreneurs,” said Nancy Rutherford, Manager of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. “Through this project, we hope to better understand the specific needs of our local businesses; helping them to continue their growth, right here in Durham Region.”
The Durham Region Local Food Business Retention and Expansion project is in co-operation with the rural economic development program offered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which has been facilitated in numerous communities across Ontario.
Businesses within Durham Region that represent any part of the local food chain are encouraged to participate. Volunteers are also being sought to assist with business interviews.
For more information, or to participate, contact Lisa MacKenzie, Agriculture Program Co-ordinator at Agriculture@durham.ca or 905-668-4113 ext. 2615.