The Government of Canada has agreed to support the food processing industry in ontario by announcing a repayable contribution of nearly C$8.5m ($6.3m) to Riverside Natural Foods for upgrading its MadeGood Foods line of products.

Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announced during a visit to a manufacturing plant in Southern ontario along with Member of Parliament (Vaughan-Woodbridge) Francesco Sorbara.

based in Vaughan, Ontario, Riverside Natural Foods is engaged in the production of organic, allergen-free and non-GMO granola bars, squares and cereals under the MadeGood label. It has a workforce of approximately 200 employees.

“The government support has been a tremendous boost to our company, allowing us to invest in sophisticated, best in class production equipment.”

Funded under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriInnovate programme, the project will allow the company to purchase and install first-in-Canada robotic equipment, as well as customise and automate their granola bar production. It will help in the creation of manufacturing lines for allergen-free healthy snacks.

Bibeau said: “This funding will help Riverside Natural Foods stay on the cutting edge through the latest in new technologies, allowing them to grow production and launch innovative, new high-quality products to customers in Canada and around the world.

“The government is proud to contribute to projects like this, which will help keep Ontario’s agri-food sector strong and growing, increase Canada’s competitiveness and create jobs for our middle class.”

With the funding, Riverside Natural Foods expects to increase production, inputs and exports sales, as well as introduce products to the market and create better jobs for Canadians.

Riverside Natural Foods president Nima Fotovat said:  “The government support has been a tremendous boost to our company, allowing us to invest in sophisticated, best in class production equipment that will allow the MadeGood brand to compete on a global scale.

“We will continue to produce nutritious foods using Canadian organic agricultural products, provide employment for a skilled and ethnically diverse workforce and generously give back to our community.”

The Canadian government recently announced a repayable contribution of up to C$10m ($7.4m) to Conestoga Meats under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriInnovate programme.

The funding will increase the productivity of the country’s pork industry, helping the sector to meet increasing domestic and global demands for their sustainable products.