Villeroy, Québec, June 8, 2012 - Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), and Laurent Lessard, ministre des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire et ministre responsable du Centre-du-Québec, acting on behalf of Pierre Corbeil, ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation, ministre responsable des régions de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue et du Nord-du-Québec et député d'Abitibi-Est, announced today $107,025 in financial assistance to Fruit d'Or Inc. A leading Canadian food processing company, Fruit d'Or offers a range of cranberry and blueberry products, such as dried fruit, fruit powder, juices and concentrates, as well as frozen products.
"I am pleased that Fruit d'Or has implemented a strict, proven quality control and food safety system that will enable the company, which operates in over 35 countries, to showcase the food safety aspect of its products to its customers. This investment by the Government of Canada will enable Fruit d'Or to continue its growth and contribute to the development of this sector," said Minister Paradis.
"I am delighted about this financial assistance, which highlights the importance that Fruit d'Or places on product quality. Fruit d'Or is continually working to enhance its expertise in order to meet the needs of consumers. Therefore, this is good news not only for the Centre-du-Québec company, but for the entire Centre-du-Québec region," said Mr. Lessard.
"With this financial support, Fruit d'Or will, in addition to introducing a product quality control and food safety system, be able to conduct a study to validate the use of innovative technologies within the company. This financial contribution is yet another example of the government's commitment to supporting the Quebec food processing industry," said Mr. Corbeil.
The financial assistance provided to Fruit d'Or will come from the Quebec Special Food Safety and Quality Support Program and the Agri-Food Innovation Support Program, funded under the federal-provincial-territorial Growing Forward initiative. The two programs are linked to the food processing support strategy implemented by the Quebec Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation.
For more information, please visit the Web site of the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation at www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/ssta (in French only).
Note also that the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation recently launched Le Bio@limentaire, a newsletter for farmers and those interested in the agri-food sector. To subscribe, please visit www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/infolettre (in French only).
Margaux Stastny
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Agriculture)
613-773-1007
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Pascale Dumont-Bédard
Press Secretary
Office of the ministre de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation
418-380-2525
Caroline Fraser
Public Relations officer
Communications Branch
Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation
418-380-2100, ext. 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
