Wellington Halton Hills MP Michael Chong announced two grants for area farmers recently.
He announced that the federal government is supporting biodiesel production with $21,430 in funding to the Everpure Biodiesel Co-operative. That project, funded under the government’s Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI), and will begin development of an extensive waste oil collection system to be used in biodiesel production.
Chong also announced support for organic food production with $35,000 in funding to the Ontario Federation of Local Organic Food Co-ops. That project, funded under the CDI, will examine if economies of scale can assist organic growers using the co-op model.
“The government of Canada is working with the co-op sector to help develop local solutions to the challenges faced by Canadians,” said Chong. “For 100 years, co-ops have contributed greatly to local economic development in Canada.”
The Everpure Biodiesel Co-operative, located in Erin, will develop a network for the collection of materials to be used in biodiesel production. A business model will be developed with a goal to attract 70 members.
Used oil will be converted for the co-op by a local manufacturing plant and the biodiesel will be sold back to co-op members. The plan is to make the oil collection network self-sufficient once the project is complete.
The Ontario Federation of Local Organic Food Co-ops in Guelph, will work towards defining a business model as well as developing its business plan and financial structure. A federation of local food co-ops will be developed to benefit farmers by giving them a larger market and consumers by offering quality local products in larger quantities.
