Ontario announces millions for cidery marketing

The Ontario government has announced millions of dollars in funding to help cideries in the province market their products.

The province said in a news release Wednesday that it’s investing up to $6 million in the Ontario Craft Cider Marketing Fund over the next six years.

It said the funding will help “stimulate growth across the sector” and build consumer awareness of Ontario craft cider products.

The province noted in its release that its Small Cidery Program also provides grants of up to $220,000 to help cideries grow.

“These investments support our Grow Ontario Strategy goals of increasing the consumption and production of local food and growing Ontario’s food and beverage exports,” the release said.

To allow consumers to identify cider products made with 100 per cent Ontario apples, the Ontario Craft Cider Association is also getting up to $89,200 to expand the “Drink ON Apples” certification.

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The announcement came one day ahead of the expansion of alcohol sales in convenience stores across Ontario.

Our government is investing $6 million to help market more world-class #Ontario cider to local consumers.🍏

Let’s raise a glass to our local cideries & apple growers!

Thank you, @ThornburyCraft, for hosting PAs @zeeinmilton & @BrianSaunderson & me today.🍎

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— Rob Flack (@RobFlackEML) September 4, 2024