Provision Coalition collaborates with Loblaw Companies Limited to pilot new sustainability program for food and beverage manufacturers
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - On June 28th, Provision Coalition, Canada's premier food and beverage manufacturer sustainability organization, welcomed food stakeholders from farm to retail to join in the announcement of a new program for Ontario food and beverage manufacturers. Area MPP Bob Delaney and Linden King, an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) volunteer were on hand to formally congratulate the organization on the work it's doing since receiving a $748,200 Grow grant for Provision Coalition's Sustainability Management System Onsite Support Program.
"Ontario recognizes the success Provision Coalition is having. The Province's food and beverage manufacturing industry has become more sustainable, competitive and successful," said Bob Delaney, MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville. "Provision Coalition's contribution to Ontario's agri-food sector promotes sustainability, while ensuring the agriculture and food sectors continue to grow."
This program, which is being delivered by Provision Coalition in collaboration with Loblaw Companies Limited, will provide support to 40 manufacturers over a three-year period. Each manufacturer will receive customized and expert advice in developing, or enhancing, the company's business strategy to ensure it is sustainable. This will include support for production and process changes that will improve employee culture, reduce environmental impacts and decrease operational costs within their facility.
Provision's on-line Sustainability Management System will be utilized as part of the program to provide a suite of proven tools to benchmark and track facility performance with the execution of their sustainable business strategy. Tools such as the Food Loss + Waste Toolkit and the Key Performance Indicator Dashboard will provide immediate and positive returns for manufacturers.
"Provision Coalition is committed to working with Ontario's 3000+ manufacturers on making meaningful aggregate reductions in the sector's output of food waste and greenhouse gas emissions as two examples. We have the experience, the expertise and the tools to deliver on this project,' said Robert Cash, Chair, Provision Coalition. "Collaborating with Loblaw Companies Limited has demonstrated the importance and value of working across the supply chain in achieving common sustainability goals."
"Sustainability has been a key platform of our business for decades, as a company, in our stores, and with our products," said Jennifer Lambert, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Recognizing that all companies are at different stages in their sustainability journeys, this pilot with Provision Coalition provides support and a more structured framework for manufacturers to improve upon the programs in place or to set up the foundations for sustainable production moving forward."
To learn more about the OTF-funded Sustainability Management System Onsite Support Program or to participate as a manufacturer go to www.provisioncoalition.com for further information.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation: An agency of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is one of Canada's largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, OTF awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities.
About Provision Coalition: Provision Coalition is Canada's premier non-profit food and beverage manufacturer sustainability organization. At Provision, the latest sustainability advances, resources and solutions are shared with food and beverage businesses across the country. With the organization's 15 provincial and national agri-food association members, Provision has committed to reducing the food and beverage manufacturing sector's environmental footprint, improving employment culture and strengthening business competitiveness. Global challenges including the reduction of food loss + waste, climate change mitigation and responsible sourcing are Provision's priorities.
SOURCE Provision Coalition
For media inquiries contact: Isabel Dopta, Marketing & Communications Advisor, Provision Coalition, [email protected], 519.993.1192
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