Bay of Quinte Food Producers Receive Funding to Support Growth and Market Expansion

November 13, 2026

Three Bay of Quinte agri-food businesses are receiving new federal-provincial funding to expand production, improve competitiveness and reach new markets.
Through the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative, Quinte Custom Foods in Quinte West, Sprague Foods Limited in Belleville and Wild Lot Farm Distillery in Prince Edward County will receive support for projects focused on production capacity, productivity and market expansion. The initiative is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Quinte Custom Foods will receive up to $290,156 to expand production and storage capacity. The investment will support the company’s new ready-to-eat frozen pouch products, helping it increase production in Quinte West and pursue additional Canadian and international markets.

Sprague Foods Limited will receive up to $107,507.71 to make targeted capital investments at its Belleville cannery. The upgrades are intended to improve productivity, strengthen the company’s competitiveness, and support continued expansion into new markets.

Wild Lot Farm Distillery will receive up to $70,000 to support the growth of its canned cocktail business and expansion into markets across Ontario and Canada.

The local investments are part of a broader initiative supporting more than 130 Ontario projects aimed at helping farmers and food processors increase competitiveness and diversify into new domestic and international markets. Across Ontario, $22 million in program funding is expected to leverage more than $110 million in private-sector investment and support the creation of more than 900 jobs.

Building on Bay of Quinte’s Food Processing Strength
For the Bay of Quinte, these investments reflect the continued strength and growth of the region’s food and beverage processing sector. Local companies are investing in new products, equipment and production capacity while positioning themselves to serve markets across Canada and internationally.
The expansion of established producers such as Quinte Custom Foods and Sprague Foods Limited demonstrates the region’s ability to support food manufacturers as they grow, modernize, and pursue new market opportunities.

Projects supported through the initiative are expected to be completed by October 15, 2027.