CONGRATULATIONS OFPA!

The Int'l Association for Food Protection (IAFP) has selected the OFPA to receive the 2009 C.B. Shogren Memorial Award for our overall, exceptional achievement in promoting the mission of the IAFP!
I want to congratulate Gail Seeds and all the members of the Board for their contributions and hard work during 2008 which was necessary to achieve this honour. I will be pleased to accept the Award on behalf of the OFPA at the 2009 IAFP Awards banquet in Grapevine, Texas.
Again, my sincere congratulations and thanks - we are very proud of this accomplishment!

Mike Cassidy
President of the OFPA

Following the April 1st, 2009 announcement of Growing Forward, we are pleased to launch the Food Safety and Traceability Initiative (FSTI), part of the Best Practice Suite. As you are aware, Growing Forward supports the development and implementation of best practices in four key areas:
· environment and climate change
· food safety and traceability
· business development
· biosecurity.

Participants are encouraged to develop strategies across all these areas to meet their business goals through a variety of information sessions and workshops, as well as one-on-one training and technical assistance. In addition, an Innovation and Science Suite encourages and supports ongoing research and the commercialization of research.

The Food Safety and Traceability Initiative is a cost-share funding program, developed to assist agriculture and agri-food facilities improve food safety practices and traceability systems in their operations. Improvements to food safety and traceability will strengthen Ontario’s ability to provide safe, high quality food and provide economic advantages to our farmers and food processors.

The FSTI was developed by the Food Safety Programs Branch and will be administered jointly with the Rural Community Development Branch. For more details about the FSTI please contact us by:
· phone: 1-888-479-3931
· website: www.ontario.ca/foodsafety
· e-mail: fsti.omafra@ontario.ca

If you would like more information on Growing Forward, the Best Practice Suite and/or the Innovation and Science Suite, please contact us by:
· phone: 1-888-479-3931
· website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/index
· email: growingforward@ontario.ca