Food Processor Expanding in Perth County - McGuinty Government Supports Agri-Food Industry, Creates Jobs

Ontario's agri-food industry continues to grow with the expansion of Parmalat Canada's Perth County plant.

With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program, Parmalat Canada is installing new, state-of-the-art cream cheese production and packaging equipment at its Mitchell plant. This will help the company:

• significantly increase its cream cheese production in response to growing demand
• source more milk from Ontario dairy farmers
• create 12 new jobs and help to retain 107 existing positions

A strong agri-food industry is part of the McGuinty government's plan to create jobs and opportunities that will grow the province's economy.

QUOTES

"Our government's support for this project is providing new opportunities for Ontario's dairy farmers, new jobs for Ontarians and strengthening our province's agri-food sector. By helping our food processors innovate and expand, we are growing our province's economy and providing good food for Ontario families."
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"This project is not only helping one of our valued food processors grow and remain competitive, it's stimulating the local economy and creating jobs our families can count on. It's a great example of our government's commitment to successful rural communities and a thriving agri-food sector."
- John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Wellington

"Our Mitchell Ontario plant will increase productivity and capacity by installing innovative case packaging equipment in its cream cheese production lines. With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program our Mitchell plant will have the capability to increase the current volume of cream cheese products over two times current production levels, adding another shift resulting in the addition of 12 employees."
- Jose Cortez, Parmalat Canada Inc.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has invested more than $167 million in 412 projects through the Rural Economic Development Program and generated more than $1.2 billion in new economic activity.
• The agri-food industry contributes more than $33 billion to the Ontario economy and employs about 700,000 people.
• In June, Ontario had an increase of more than 40,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.7 percent.

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Want to grow your food business? Ontario can help.