THUNDER BAY – Provincial changes allowing small farms to produce more chickens is leading to interest in developing a local poultry processing plant.
The Chicken Farmers of Ontario have introduced two new programs that create expanded opportunities for chicken farmers, prompting a meeting to be held next month at the Gillies Community Centre to bring together producers and retailors to discuss potential strategies.
Organizer Ericka Reszitnyk, who along with her husband produce chickens at their farm, said options could include partnering with the existing abattoir in Murillo or working to create a standalone chicken processing plant.
Currently, the closest facilities are located in the Fort Frances and Dryden areas.
Reszitnyk said her husband recently made the eight-hour round trip to the Emo facility, which comes with added costs, such as fuel and the operation of a generator to run a freezer.
The licensing changes and new programs are allowing Reszitnyk to double their production, but also comes with changes for how they sell their product.
“With our license this year we applied to do 600,” she said. “We were only permitted to sell at our farm gate which meant our customers would come to the farm to pick up their product. Under the new license we’ve applied for these chickens would have to be marketed commercially.”
The meeting will provide information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs about processing options as well as discussion about a feasibility study and funding options.
The meeting will be held on Nov. 26 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
