FYI Came across this program which may be able to offer assistance to anyone wishing to start a co-op packing plant.
Cooperative Development Initiative (CDI) - Government of Canada
CDI has two main components. The Advisory Services component provides expert assistance to groups who want to start new co-operatives, or who need help managing existing ones. The Innovation and Research component will study and demonstrate how co-operatives can be used successfully in new ways. It will show how co-operatives can contribute to economic and social development, community capacity building, and service delivery for disadvantaged or hard-to-reach Canadians.
Internet: http://www.agr.gc.ca/policy/coop/information_e.phtml
Cooperative Development Initiative (CDI) - Government of Canada
CDI has two main components. The Advisory Services component provides expert assistance to groups who want to start new co-operatives, or who need help managing existing ones. The Innovation and Research component will study and demonstrate how co-operatives can be used successfully in new ways. It will show how co-operatives can contribute to economic and social development, community capacity building, and service delivery for disadvantaged or hard-to-reach Canadians.
Internet: http://www.agr.gc.ca/policy/coop/information_e.phtml