Regional Premiers Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence have gone to businesses in Stratford, Hensall and Arthur.
Erbcroft Farms, The Garlic Box and Troll Bridge Creek were among 8 agriculture-related businesses receiving regional awards recently at an event in Guelph.
Stratford's Erbcroft Farms produces lamb bacon, burgers, curry pies, mutton sausages and more to expand the market for their sheep farm.
Those new products are credited with helping entice consumers to choose lamb year-round.
The Garlic Box in Hensall was recognised for it's efforts to push back against the imported garlic that almost wiped out Ontario's commercial garlic production in the 1990's.
That effort included the development of a range of value-added products, including convenient packages of frozen cloves to provide customers with Ontario garlic year-round.
And Troll Bridge Creek in Arthur makes a beverage based on maple sap.
The company's KiKi Maple Sweet Water boasts a nutrient-dense profile along with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
50 regional agri-food innovation awards are being presented across the province this year to recognize local innovators who are contributing to the success of the province's agri-food sector.
