July 29, 2015 – Charlottetown, PEI – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Prince Edward Island has become one of the world’s greatest “foodie getaways” in recent years and BioFoodTech is helping to improve the food tourism experience for both visitors and residents. BioFoodTech is now increasing its capacity to assist the local artisan food industry to develop new products for consumers, with assistance from the federal and provincial governments.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today announced combined funding of $671,558 for BioFoodTech.
With this funding, BioFoodTech will purchase the necessary processing equipment to help the small-scale artisan food industry develop and manufacture new products, providing the additional capacity for their “concept to pilot to market” support for Island food businesses.
Quick Facts:
- The Government of Canada is supporting this project with a contribution of $499,500 through ACOA’s Business Development Program.
- The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, is contributing an additional $172,058 to this project.
- This new equipment will allow Prince Edward Island small and medium-sized businesses to provide residents and tourists with a greater range of high quality food products and experiences.
- BioFoodTech is an industry driven, regional leader in science-based food product development and is a key component of Atlantic Canada’s value-added food processing sector.
Quotes:
“To remain competitive in the culinary industry and in the global marketplace, bringing new high-quality products to market is key. Our Government is pleased to support BioFoodTech, a company that continues to modernize, grow, and play an important role in Atlantic Canada’s long-term prosperity.”
- The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“BioFoodTech provides world-class research and product development activities to the food sector on Prince Edward Island. Our support allows BioFoodTech to continue these important activities which help improve the province’s reputation as a world class producer of high quality food, and as an innovator in the value-added, niche product market. It is essential to small food related businesses, and an integral component of Canada’s Food Island.”
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
“With this new equipment, BioFoodTech will work with entrepreneurs to develop and manufacture new locally-produced food products to meet increasing consumer demand. BioFoodTech will also offer workshops to demonstrate the new equipment and provide artisans with the knowledge and skills required to make high quality food products. During the last three years BioFoodTech has offered workshops including fruit and berry drying, fermentation and canning. A series of workshops is planned for this fall on cheesemaking, distilled beverages, vinegar and naturally-fermented pickled vegetables. This will help to grow the artisan food community and the number of PEI food products available to residents, and provide tourists with the quality food products they will want to take home from their visit.”
- Dr. Jim Smith, BioFoodTech
Associated Links:
• BioFoodTech
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Chris Brooks
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-789-5184
Andrew Sprague
PEI Dept of Economic Development and Tourism
902-566-5535
