Food & Consumer Products of Canada launches GTA Food & Beverage Cluster
TORONTO, April 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), with the strong support of our public and private sector partners, is pleased to launch the GTA Food and Beverage Cluster, an initiative aimed at making one of the region's most significant economic drivers even stronger.
A Cluster strategy is a focused approach to regional economic development that is internationally proven to be one of the strongest avenues to increased business growth and new connections.
With close to 60,000 people in the GTA working in the sector every day, food and beverage manufacturing is the number one manufacturing employer in the region, larger than auto, and the second in North America – outside Los Angeles.
The time is now. We are absolutely committed to continuing to make the food manufacturing sectors one of the strongest in the world. And, the destination where companies from right here in our own backyard and from around the world, choose to invest.
Specifically, we are proud to announce a new information hub www.gtafoodcluster.ca that captures an annual labour market survey, food industry specific post-secondary program offerings, business support opportunities with government, academia and stakeholders and information to promote the economic clout of the sector.
Quotes:
- "Food and beverage manufacturing is an exciting, vitally important economic sector with huge impact, and enormous potential. Our industry right here in the GTA employs 60,000 people - the most of all manufacturing sectors in the GTA. There are more people working in food and beverage manufacturing in the GTA than anywhere else in North America, outside Los Angeles. We can and should be first."
- Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO, Food & Consumer Products of Canada
- "I'm proud to be a part of the biggest manufacturing industry in the Greater Toronto Area, and to be co-leading the GTA Food and Beverage Cluster. By collaborating with businesses, academia, industry and community leaders, the Cluster will play a critical role in helping to advance the needs of key stakeholders in our industry and ensuring our sector continues to flourish and gain prominence."
- Dan Magliocco, President, Mondelēz Canada Inc. and Cluster Co-Chair
- "As President of Upper Crust in north Toronto, I am proud to support and co-chair the GTA Food & Beverage Cluster. Access to helpful information and new connections are powerful tools to help businesses grow. I know that by working together we can make the food and beverage manufacturing sector an even bigger driver for the regional economy."
- Carmela Serebryany-Harris, President, Upper Crust and Cluster Co-Chair
- "Our government is committed to working with Food & Consumer Products of Canada and other partners in food and beverage manufacturing to help grow this important sector. Through innovative programs, such as the development of the GTA Food and Beverage Cluster, our government works collaboratively with industry to find new opportunities for the agri-food industry. This program will grow and help to contribute to the Premier's Agri-Food Growth Challenge of creating 120,000 new jobs by 2020."
- Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- "With over 60,000 people employed in this sector, food and beverage manufacturing is a key driver to our local economy, creating needed jobs in our city. I am committed to ensuring that this sector grows to be an even stronger economic force for Toronto in the years ahead."
- John Tory, Mayor of Toronto
- "FCPC and other food and beverage leaders have developed a strong platform for regional collaboration across the Cluster. Today's announcement is a tremendous milestone in the acceleration of our region's economic development and critical to taking our food and beverage cluster global."
- Janet De Silva, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
- "George Brown College has a strong track record helping industry partners in the food and beverage sector to grow and develop their businesses. Our involvement in the GTA Food and Beverage Cluster connects our work in food innovation and research to a sector-specific hub – responding to the industry's research and innovation needs while benefiting our students with additional opportunities for education and training."
- Anne Sado, President, George Brown College
Stats:
SOURCE Food and Consumer Products of Canada
Image with caption: "Anne Sado, President, George Brown College, Norm Beal, President, Food and Beverage Ontario, Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO, Food & Consumer Products of Canada, Dan Magliocco, President, Mondelez Canada International, Janet De Silva, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade, Norm Kelly, Toronto City Councillor and Winnie Chiu and Chef John Higgins at a cooking demonstration at George Brown College’s Food and Innovation Research Studio (FIRSt) (CNW Group/Food and Consumer Products of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150427_C4173_PHOTO_EN_15805.jpg
Image with caption: "GTA Food and Beverage Cluster Logo (CNW Group/Food and Consumer Products of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150427_C4173_PHOTO_EN_15806.jpg
Image with caption: "GTA Food and Beverage Cluster Steering Committee (CNW Group/Food and Consumer Products of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150427_C4173_PHOTO_EN_15807.jpg
Adam Grachnik, Senior Director, Communications, Food & Consumer Products of Canada, [email protected], 416-510-8088
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