Preserving Local Fruit In Niagara-Region - McGuinty Government Supports Agri-Food Industry, Creates Jobs

Ontario is helping support local farmers by ensuring the Niagara Region has additional cold storage space to preserve local fruit before processing.

With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program, St. David's Cold Storage, in partnership with local cherry processor Niagara Harvest will:

• add 3,500 square feet of freezer storage space
• upgrade the cherry processing line at Niagara Harvest
• introduce tracing systems to increase food safety by identifying where the fruit was grown
• provide affordable storage space for local fruit farmers

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

"We're proud to support Ontario's fruit processors, who continue to provide us with fresh and delicious local fruit products that we enjoy and that keep our families healthy. By giving our farmers and food processors the tools they need to succeed and grow, we're strengthening our agri-food industry and growing our economy."
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"Our government's support for this project is creating new jobs in the Niagara greenbelt and growing the market for local farmers. It's also strengthening our local economy and creating new opportunities for families and businesses in St. David's and the surrounding area."
- Kim Craitor, MPP for Niagara Falls

"We are pleased to accept this investment from the Ontario Government for St Davids Cold Storage and Niagara Harvest. This investment will ensure the viability of this cold storage facility and expand the cold storage capabilities to include frozen product. We are now the only "frozen storage" facility in the Niagara Region, and over the past year have brought many new customers to our facility because of this. Also, Niagara Harvest will now ensure food safety and traceability with their new metal detection equipment and labeler for their tart cherry production line."
- Alfred Dyck, St. David's Cold Storage

"Niagara Harvest is very appreciative to receive financial assistance to help with the purchase of our new "on-line" metal detector and automatic labeller. This equipment will allow our company to maintain our HACCP status and provide assurance of food safety and traceability for our product. Prior to storing our product in St. Davids Cold Storage Freezers, we had to transport the cherries to Brantford or Toronto. This project will save our company time, energy and money, by storing our cherries locally."
- Julie Hunter, Niagara Harvest Ltd

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.

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Want to grow your food business? Ontario can help.