Manitoba Agri-Ventures Initiatives (MAVI)

The agency's purpose is to assist established, new an or unique value-added production and processing ventures relating to agriculture and food. To help maximize new opportunities by expanded uses and developing new markets for Manitoba's agricultural commodities. Planning assistance is available for the development of information for:
1.     Business Plans
2.     Marketing Plans
3.     Feasibility Studies
4.     New Product Development
5.     New Process Development
6.     Market Development
 

Eligible projects include value-added food processing and new uses manufacturing utilizing agricultural commodities produced in Manitoba. Projects are cost shared on a 50-50 basis. The MAVI application can be submitted directly off the Manitoba Agriculture & Foods (MAF) website: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/financial/agribus/agribusiness.html

The How to Create a New Food Product or Blue Box, is an invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in becoming a part of the food industry. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a great new food product idea, a successful restaurant owner or a farmer looking for diversification or value added ideas. The "Blue Box" can answer your questions and provide you the resources and the contacts you’ll need to succeed. Manitoba Agriculture & Food's Kitchen to Market "Blue Box" is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/homeec/ktm

Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council (MRAC)
MRAC has a page of funding links for Agriculture & Agri-food Canada, Manitoba Agriculture & Foods, Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs, Industry Trade & Mines. MRAC's website is found at: http://www.mrac.ca/

The Ota-Miska Publication
Here you'll find a great "Where to Find it" Resource Manual developed by Manitoba Industry, Trades & Mines. It summarizes the resources and funding programs available from various government departments.
While you're on the Ota-Miska site, you can link to B.O.N.D.. B.O.N.D. is a listing of contacts relating to international trade and investment opportunities. For example, there's a German company who is looking for a Canadian manufacturers of organic cookies, goat cheese and juices; South Korea is seeking a Canadian supplier of bulk candy. This site is updated regularly. The Ota-Miska Publication's website can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/itt/sbcd/otamiska.html

Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
C/MBSC is also an excellent source of business information. John Giesbrecht, the Client Services Specialist/Librarian at the C/MBSC is very helpful if you're researching a business. Web site: www.cbsc.org/manitoba. C/MBSC's phone number is 204-984-0779.

Canadian Special Crops Association
CSCA acts as a marketing portal for all special crops inquiries. The first step is to register with them to access their web site. CSCA is located at 330-360 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3Z3. Phone: (204) 925-3781.

If you know of a "Government Services" link that would be of interest, please email the Society at herbsocietymb@mts.net and we'll update our page.