The Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence recognizes the innovative contributions of producers, processors, agri-food organizations and rural communities in Ontario. Their innovations improve existing products, create new jobs and grow Ontario’s economy.
The Culinary Tourism Alliance was awarded this prestigious award for a proprietary piece of software we developed called the Experience Assessment Tool – affectionately called EAT™. EAT helps us do destination development work more efficiently and effectively, but more importantly, it makes cataloging and strategies easier for rural destinations without the budget or resources of bigger destinations.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Premier’s Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, established to recognize and foster agri-food innovation across the province. 50 award recipients will be recognized, including the top Premier’s Award, Minister’s Award, and three Leaders in Innovation award winners.
“I congratulate this year’s winners of the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. Their commitment to creative ideas strengthens Ontario’s world-class agri-food sector and positions our province for continued economic growth” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Not all the winners have been announced yet, but we count ourselves lucky and honoured to be amongst the first round announced this week. Other winners, so far, include:
- First Ontario Shrimp Ltd., based in Campbellford
- Honey Pie Hives & Herbals, based in Milford
- MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co., based in Bath
- Pyramid Ferments, based in Picton
- U-Pac Agri-Service, based in Picton
- Agri-Neo Inc., based in Etobicoke
- CleanFARMS Inc., based in Etobicoke
- Dairy Quality Inc., based in Newmarket
- Greenbelt Greenhouse Ltd., based in Gormley
- Prisum Coatings Canada Inc., based in Holland Landing
- Sepha Catering Ltd., based in Toronto
- Evynn’s Advantage Inc., based in Greenwood
- Siloam Orchards, based in Uxbridge
- Trillium Lamb Inc., based in Lindsay
- Willowtree Farm, based in Port Perry
Supporting a strong and innovative agri-food industry is part of the provincial government’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.