Canada’s first ever National Value Chain Conference will be opened by the Honourable Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The Agricultural Adaptation Council’s (AAC) Value Chain Facilitator, Martin Gooch, says, “we are thrilled that Minister Vanclief will open the National Value Chain Conference,” and promises, “this conference will provide an interactive learning experience focused on the ‘how to’ of building successful value chains.”

The event will be held in the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel, June 18th & 19th. This two day conference features several internationally recognized Value Chain specialists, such as David Sparling, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph; Ray Collins, Reader in Agribusiness, School of Natural and Rural Systems Management, The University of Queensland and Michael O’Keeffe, O’Keeffe & Associates, an international consultant specializing in agri-food value chain development. Speakers and panel discussions will examine the roots of value chains, present examples, and offer insight to aid in the development of profitable value chains within Canada.

Agri-food value chains are designed to increase competitive advantage. It is a customer-focused chain that, for example, might begin in a farmer’s field and end in the supermarket. Value chains link producers, processors, marketers, food service companies and retailers with supporting groups such as shippers, research groups and suppliers.

This conference is designed to encourage discussions, answer questions, and promote the formation of alliances throughout Canada’s agri-food sector. To assist the formation of specific value chains, the AAC in Ontario, along with the other provincial Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) Councils across Canada, plans to make available seed funding and assist with providing third-party management expertise, if needed.

“CARD councils support projects that foster long-term growth, self-reliance, profitability and employment for the Canadian agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors,” says Bob Bedggood, AAC Chair.

The AAC is a non-profit coalition of 55 agricultural, agri-business and rural organizations working together to support Ontario’s agricultural sector and rural communities. The AAC receives it’s funding through Ontario’s share of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) fund. For more information on AAC’s Value Chain Initiative please contact Martin Gooch, Value Chains Facilitator, at (519) 822-7554 or Martin's e-mail.

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For more information please contact:

Martin Gooch
Value Chains Facilitator Agricultural Adaptation Council
Phone: (519) 822-7554
e-mail: Martin's e-mail OR

Nadine Buitenhuis,
Communications/Program Coordinator Agricultural Adaptation Council
Phone: (519) 822-7554
e-mail: Nadine's e-mail