TORONTO — The downtown Kitchener Farmers’ Market and the forces behind a local food network in Simcoe County were among the recipients of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) funding during the most recent round of commitments from the Ontario Market Investment Fund (OMIF).

As one of the first official duties of newly-named OMAFRA Minister Carol Mitchell, eight new OMIF recipients were announced on Jan. 22.

The Kitchener Market will receive $45,000 for a new marketing campaign beginning in the spring of 2010. The market’s newly-renovated upper level will set the stage for ongoing programming that includes cooking demonstrations, themed events and recipe giveaways featuring local chefs, farmers and other businesses.

In Simcoe County, the Creemore 100-Mile Store is teaming up with the Clearview Eco-Action Network (CLEAN) to build and market a local food network. OMIF will contribute $75,500 to the project.

Four province-wide lobbying organizations also received support.

Ontario Pork will get $75,000 for a consumer awareness program. A similar initiative of the Canadian Mushroom Growers’ Association will receive $50,000.

The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) will get $21,630 to participate in the annual Green Living trade show in Toronto, with a “Where to Buy Organic in Ontario” pavilion and spaces for 12 booths for OCO members.

And, in an effort to provide a resource for the increasing number of local organic co-ops in the province, the Ontario Co-operative Association and Carrot Cache Community Resources are organizing an umbrella group. The Province is contributing $34,500 to the project.

The four-year OMIF program has invested more than $4.75 million in 94 projects to date. Its mandate is to develop economic opportunities for “buy local” initiatives, through trade events, marketing campaigns and industry research projects.