Wanted: Ontario kosher processor with business plan

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

by SUSAN MANN

MISSISSAUGA—After almost three years without a kosher chicken processor in Ontario, one could set up shop in the province this year, says a Chicken Farmers of Ontario official.

Rob Dougans, president and CEO of Chicken Farmers of Ontario, said during a break in the Chicken Farmers of Ontario annual meeting Tuesday they’re looking for a processor “who has a business plan, financing and the capabilities and capacity to be successful.”
 
Ontario’s only kosher chicken processor, Chai Kosher Poultry, closed its Toronto facility in 2013. Canada’s only remaining kosher processor, Marvid Poultry of Montreal, has been supplying the Ontario market using chicken grown in Quebec.

Chicken Farmers has been working to find a kosher processor for the province for almost two years. In 2014, it requested proposals from interested companies. The board also issued a request for proposals last year.

The board has also been working with Deloitte Consulting to find a kosher processor. A number of candidates are being evaluated and the goal is to have the processor in place this year.

In the 2014 Chicken Farmers of Ontario annual report, it said “the board continues to be optimistic that a viable kosher chicken processing operation will emerge in 2015.” The 2015 annual report said the evaluation process of interested companies continues “with the goal of reaching a kosher chicken solution in 2016.”

Asked what gives him hope the kosher processor will be found this year, Dougans said “he’s optimistic by nature. And secondly, I believe if we have a good process and we have good intentions, ultimately we will get there. However, sometimes it takes a little longer than we would like.”

Along with looking for a kosher chicken processor, Chicken Farmers issued a request for proposals in 2015, through its New Entrant Processor program, to find a new organic processor for Ontario. The organization along with Deloitte Consulting is evaluating interested parties that applied to the request for proposals, and the goal is to have this processor also in place this year.

Chicken Farmers has a New Entrant Processor program that provides successful applicants with up to 100,000 kilograms of calculated base each year. In an October 2015 press release, Chicken Farmers said each year it will “advance a strategic market to be served by an approved new entrant processor.” Chicken Farmers designated organic chicken to be that strategic market for this year.

Calculated base is a processor’s share of the Ontario chicken market. It is determined by Chicken Farmers. Processors must have calculated base and a Class A licence issued by Chicken Farmers to be able to buy chicken from Ontario farmers.

Dougans said he’s also hopeful an organic processor will be found this year. BF