About The Grove
We are London, Ontario's agri-food business hub — a place where food entrepreneurs and agri-businesses come to connect, learn, grow, and succeed together.
OUR MISSION
Creating the right conditions for innovation, education & growth
“The Grove is the District's agri-business hub where participants share resources, space, and connections to create the right conditions for innovation, education, and growth.”
— Kris Dinel, Vice President of Strategy, Western Fair District
The Grove was built on the belief that no food entrepreneur should have to grow alone. By providing affordable, professional production kitchen facilities alongside mentorship and a genuine community, we lower the barriers that prevent great food ideas from becoming successful businesses.
We're a not-for-profit agricultural society. Your success is our success. Everything we do is oriented toward helping you move to the next level with the confidence, track record, and support to get there.
WHAT WE DO
Our four pillars
Everything at The Grove is built around four core activities that drive
real outcomes for food businesses.
1
Connect
Incubation, acceleration, demonstration, and tenant/landlord programming that brings food businesses together.
2
Lead
Symposiums, conferences, and science & innovation events that position London as a national agri-food leader.
3
Community
Bringing people and food together creating connections that last beyond the kitchen and into every stage of business.
4
Educate
Partnering with educational institutions and industry organizations to develop the next generation of agri-food talent.
OUR SUPPORTERS
The partners supporting our growth
An eco-system of businesses dedicated to helping food entrepreneurs succeed in London and across Ontario.
Government of Canada
Funded through FedDev Ontario, The Grove is part of Canada's commitment to growing agri-food innovation and entrepreneurship across Southwestern Ontario.
FedDev Ontario
Western Fair District is a leading year-round, not-for-profit agri-food organization dedicated to celebrating community and supporting agriculture.
Western Fair District
Host Organization
The London Small Business Centre is a not-for-profit organization that provides training and support to starting and growing businesses
Small Business Centre
Business support
LEDC focuses on growing London’s primary economic sectors – Agri-Food, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Media and Tech, and Health.
LEDC
Business support
How The Grove Grew
From a shared vision to London's leading agri-food hub.
The Grove is established
Western Fair District launches The Grove as London's dedicated agri-business hub — with a mandate to support food entrepreneurs through shared space, connections, and resources.
Launch Kitchen opens, first cohort joins
Four fully equipped commercial kitchens open their doors. Early members begin scaling from small batch to larger production.
Scale Kitchen & FedDev partnership
Customizable production units launch, enabling businesses to scale while expanding ecosystem support.
Event & Meeting Space opens
A 175-seat venue opens, bringing events, workshops, and community programming together.
70+ businesses and growing
The Grove community reaches 70+ supported businesses, with members expanding nationally and internationally.
Western Fair District
The Grove is a facility of Western Fair District — one of London, Ontario's most recognised landmarks, with over 150 years of history connecting agriculture, community, and commerce.
Located at 900 King Street in London, The Grove operates within WFD's expansive grounds — giving members access to not just a kitchen, but an entire community of events, markets, and opportunities year-round.
OUR HOME
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
Supported by FedDev & Western Fair Association
The Grove is funded through FedDev Ontario — part of the Government of Canada's commitment to growing
agri-food innovation and supporting entrepreneurs across the country.