Vineland Station, Ontario – Member of Parliament Dean Allison (Niagara West-Glanbrook), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced 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.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada