Local Niche Markets Program

The Local Niche Markets Program - Focused on the unique needs of farmers and consumers across Ontario

The Local Niche Markets Program is intended to support those targeted niche markets in Ontario which are looking for new ways to access larger volumes of locally grown chicken.The new application and quota-based Program will allow chicken farmers to grow between 6,000 and 60,000 chickens annually targeted at a well defined discrete and distinct local market through various means including geographic identification, marketing channels, products, brands and/or business approaches. Farmers entering this program will be required to acquire between 1,000 and 10,000 units of production quota.

Prospective applicants who want to grow chicken in 2016 are required to arrange for the quota transfer and submit the application form with the Quota Transfer Application to CFO. All commercial chicken farmers and quota holders are required to comply with the Policies and Regulations of CFO including the On-Farm Food Safety Assurance Program (OFFSAP), the Animal Care Program (ACP), and the Farm Worker Safety Program. Applications can be submitted prior to each quota transfer deadline.
 
Prospective applicants must complete an application which will be evaluated by CFO. The application will require production and marketing details including:

• Units
• Market served
• Breed grown and cycle / weight
• Processor