Artisan cheesemaker enticing connoisseurs to ‘Embrace the Blue’
News release
Blue Harbour Cheese Incorporated is relocating and expanding production to access export markets
February 28, 2019 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Helping Atlantic Canadian businesses meet certification standards to access export markets enables them to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the food industry and to grow the local economy. Blue Harbour Cheese Incorporated, one of Atlantic Canada’s few urban cheese producers, is growing to satisfy increasing demand for its artisanal European-style cheeses.
The company is expanding into a bigger space to scale up its production, reduce costs and improve processes so it can export cheese to domestic and international markets. This project will enable the company to open a retail storefront, add three new employees to its workforce and continue to drive business growth.
Today Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced support for Blue Harbour Cheese Incorporated.
Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is growing the innovation economy by working to sustain strategic clusters, and enhance the development and reach of business accelerators and incubators. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
Quotes
“Value-added food products help Atlantic Canadian businesses scale up, export to global markets and build on Canada’s food advantage and continued economic growth. This is why the Government of Canada is supporting companies that are willing to embrace increased productivity and competitiveness to generate wealth in their communities.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Blue Harbour Cheese has a well-deserved reputation as a quality artisan cheese producer that is well-positioned to expand into export markets. This targeted investment will enable the business to scale-up, serve customers directly through its new retail space, and add to the reputation Atlantic Canadian food producers have for creating renowned products that contribute significantly to our economic prosperity.”
- Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax
“We are excited to be expanding Blue Harbour Cheese into a larger Canadian Food Inspection Agency licensed facility, which will allow us to export cheese to our customers across Canada and beyond. Now we can increase production and engage distributors and importers to take our unique products to the world. It also offers us opportunities to attract highly skilled dairy professionals and to employ and retain young graduates within Nova Scotia.”
- Lyndell Findlay, President, Blue Harbour Cheese Incorporated
Quick facts
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The Government of Canada made a $171,750 repayable contribution to this project through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program delivered by ACOA.
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Founded in 2013 and incorporated in July 2015, Blue Harbour Cheese is owned and operated by President and CEO Lyndell Findlay.
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The company has been provincially licensed since 2013 as an artisan cheese producer specializing in handmade blue cheeses, making a cow’s milk cheese called Urban Blue, and two sheep milk cheeses called Hip Hop and Electric Blue.
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Food is the top manufactured product in Atlantic Canada, generating $6.6 billion in revenues each year.
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The Regional Innovation Ecosystems stream of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program supports the creation and growth of inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs and fosters an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness.
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The Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation program continues to build on the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan.
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Contacts
Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
chris.brooks@canada.ca
Lyndell Findlay
President
Blue Harbour Cheese Incorporated
902-240-0305
findlay@blueharbourcheese.com