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Cookstown meat packing plant receives government funding

February 29, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

White Veal Meat Packers Ltd. in Cookstown is receiving funding to help improve its operations. 

The business will receive up to $150,000 to purchase and install conveyors for boxing and trim/deboning lines, as well as a semi-automatic clipper to increase labour productivity in its operations.

The funds will come from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership – a joint funding program between the province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to help meat processing businesses and abattoirs in the province.

“I welcome this announcement as the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will support upgrades that increase production capacity, efficiency, and maintain Ontario’s high food safety standards,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “This includes up to $150,000 for White Veal Meat Packers Ltd. in Cookstown. The team at White Veal Meat Packers has more than half a century of experience in our area. What began as a family-owned wholesale butcher shop, is now a thriving, stare-of-the-art operation, and I’m thrilled this infusion of funding can allow them to improve their business.”

A total of 151 meat processors are receiving cost-share funding through the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative to make upgrades to meat handling and processing equipment, technology, and practices that will improve productivity, efficiency, and food safety.

The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative also covers training and engineering costs associated with completing the projects. Applications opened on Aug. 31, 2023, and closed on Sept. 25, 2023. All projects are expected to be fully completed, with equipment delivered by March 1, 2024.

This action builds on previous investments of over $14 million in the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership since 2020.

Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector.

This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared – 50 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially / territorially, for programs that are designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

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