Ontario Agri-Food Education announces project funding – Request for Proposals

NEWS HIGHLIGHT

Ontario Agri-Food Education announces project funding – Request for proposals
Ontario Agri-Food Education (OAFE) is looking for innovative proposals from non-profit organizations on how to communicate the health benefits of Ontario grown food products.  A total of 450 thousand dollars in funding is available for projects under their new Healthy Eating Program initiative.

“The governance of these funds has required OAFE to create a new template for promoting the possibilities of nutrition education and linking them to local food initiatives,” says Colleen Smith-Robinson, Executive Director. “We have carefully considered our goals and objectives, target market and evaluation criteria.  We are strongly encouraging applicants to look at non-traditional partners for success.”
 
Eligible recipients of OAFE grants must be a legal entity and may include not-for-profit organizations and associations, cooperatives, marketing boards, government agencies and for-profit companies. Only Ontario applicants are eligible.
 
Under OAFE’s initiative, projects must target either children ages four to 12, 13 to18 or the public in general. All funds will be in the form of a grant and projects must be completed within two years of project approval.
 
No limits have been placed on the funding for each project. OAFE anticipates funding a wide range of projects at various levels to ensure a positive impact across the agri-food industry with a demonstrated reach to new markets.
 
The deadline for submissions is 4 pm November 24, 2008 with the announcement of Healthy Eating Program recipients expected in February 2009. One key criteria point will be to promote Ontario farm-grown products and include one new partnership or alliance with a non-traditional group.  
 
Details of the Request for Proposal (RFP) can be viewed at the OAFE website at www.oafe.org.  Questions about the RFP should be directed to Vanessa Sheppard, Projects Coordinator, at 905-878-1510 ext 41.