The Ontario Chicken Innovation and Growth Program “is the first off its kind in our industry,” said Rob Dougans, president and chief executive officer of the chicken board.
“Our goal is simple: put new, innovative Ontario chicken products on the plates of consumers and enhance economic activity in Ontario,” he said.
The program will recognize innovations and an additional supply of chicken will be allocated to enable the innovation and accelerate growth.the board said in a news release.
“Ontario is home to the largest chicken farming, processor and consumer base in Canada making it an excellent place to bring new products to the market,” said Michael Burrows, chairman of the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors.
“This program is an excellent opportunity for all of us to look at innovations in development and accelerate their market entry.”
All companies involved in the processing, marketing and sale of chicken products including primary processors, further processors, retailers, foodservice and restaurant companies are encouraged to apply at www.chickeninnovation.ca.
Applicants that are not primary processors must include a primary processor as part of their application to enable the allocation of additional chicken.
Innovations must be designed for consumers, be the first of their kind in Canada and use chicken grown and fully processed in Ontario.
Eligible applications will be reviewed by an independent advisory committee of experts who are also responsible for overseeing the program.
The committee is chaired by the Honourable Douglas Cunningham, a former judge of the Superior Court of Ontario, and includes three experts in consumer packaged goods, business, marketing and the chicken industry: Paul Borg, Steve Dowbiggin and Mary Beth Williamson.
“This program is all about accelerating innovative products that meet consumer needs. Therefore, we’re looking for products that have some track record – piloted or introduced to the market in the last 18 months so that historical sales data can be part of the application,” said Mr. Cunningham.
“And, because applications are scored on their own merits, there is the opportunity for multiple innovations to be recognized.”
In addition to at least six months of historical sales data, each application must include a description of the innovation, forecasted sales data, market research and a marketing plan. The Advisory Committee will assess each application and recommend the highest scoring applicants to CFO for final approval.
Applications are now available online at www.chickeninnovation.ca, where interested companies can also find out more about the program. The application deadline is July 13, 2018.
The chicken board has undergone a transformation that began about two years and is amazing. Simply amazing.
