July 23, 2015 – New Glasgow, PEI – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
A new industry-led, government-supported partnership will engage primary industries, food producers, culinary experts and research institutions to expand food exports, create new products and cement Prince Edward Island’s reputation as a world-class producer of food and leading culinary destination.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA), and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island, announced government support today for the Food Island Partnership.
Quick Facts:
- Over the next three years governments will provide over $1.6 million to support the partnership’s annual cost. Approximately $900,000 will come from the Canada-PEI Growing Forward 2 Agreement, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is providing $487,950, with the remainder coming from the Government of Prince Edward Island.
- Prince Edward Island has a food brand that is well recognized and growing. The Food Island Partnership will leverage this brand recognition to the benefit of the food industry of PEI. The Partnership will also work to encourage more entrepreneurs to enter the food business and more existing companies to diversify their product range with assistance from research and development institutions like BioFoodTech and Canada’s Smartest Kitchen.
- The Food Island Partnership merges the former PEI Culinary Alliance and PEI Agri-Alliance. The key function of the new organization will be to work collaboratively with Government to implement a Food Strategy.
- The vision is to establish Prince Edward Island as an internationally recognized place of origin for premium food products and a destination for culinary excellence. The Food Island Partnership will achieve this vision by focusing on three areas: company and product development, creating new value-added food products, and leveraging and building the reputation of the Prince Edward Island food brand.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to support the Food Island Partnership as they work towards making Prince Edward Island one of the world’s premier culinary destinations. The Food Island Partnership will work closely with small- and medium-sized businesses to add value to the Island’s food industry, creating new food products and expanding this important sector of our economy.”
- 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 Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“Prince Edward Island’s harvests are integral to our economy and our province’s cultural fabric.The Food Island Partnership will build on our successes and, by working together with industry and community partners, establish our province as Canada’s Food Island.”
- The Honourable Wade MacLauchlan, Premier of Prince Edward Island
"I am truly excited to be involved in the Food Island Partnership. The organization is a truly collaborative initiative between the private sector and government. We believe that the Prince Edward Island Food Industry is an industry of the future. We face challenges but there are also great new opportunities. This partnership model will be key for the food industry to grow and attract new investment. Together with our partners, we will work to create a climate that allows entrepreneurs to start new food companies, our companies to develop new products and our products to find new markets. Branding Prince Edward Island as Canada's Food Island will help us do that"
- Mr. John Rowe, Chair, Food Island Partnership
Associated Links:
• Food Island Partnership
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Katie MacNevin
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-940-0801
Andrew Sprague
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
(902) 368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca
