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The federal government has earmarked $16.9 million to support food processors in BC through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many challenges for the food processing industry,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “We are here to support our essential food workers, who continue to provide Canadians access to a secure food supply. Through the Emergency Processing Fund, we are giving businesses the support they need to keep their employees safe and our food systems running strong.”
Bibeau says Canadian food producers and processors have stepped up to deliver quality food for Canadians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, so government has to do its part as well. The $16.9 million in additional funding was allocated through the Emergency Processing Fund for 117 food processing companies in British Columbia.
With this funding, recipients are adopting measures to help keep employees safe. This includes making adjustments to enable social distancing, purchasing reuseable personal protective equipment (PPE), increasing cleaning, improving air circulation within their facilities and developing employee training. These improvements help producers and processors supply Canadians with the food they need during this unprecedented time.