March 24, 2014
ONTARIO MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCER GETS A BOOST
Auvergne Farms Limited Creates New Opportunities for Maple Sugar with Support from Greenbelt Fund
A new project from Auvergne Farms Limited (also known as Jakeman’s Maple Farm) means maple sugar, a local alternative to other sweeteners, will make its way into healthcare, wholesale, and foodservice markets across Ontario.
With support from the Greenbelt Fund and funding from the Ontario government, Auvergne Farms Limited will increase their capacity to produce bulk quantities of maple sugar. Through the purchase of new equipment, Auvergne Farms Limited will provide an opportunity for several maple syrup producers, including Weber Sugar Bush, to make their product available to a larger market.
“From pancakes to waffles to french toast, maple syrup is a Canadian household staple. It’s only a matter of time until maple sugar is just as commonly used,” says Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund. “As the largest processor of maple syrup products in Ontario, Auvergne Farms is a leader in the industry. Providing Ontarians with a natural product processed without additives is a benefit to both producers, who gain access to a larger market and to consumers, who will have the opportunity to sweeten their coffee with a local alternative.”
Auvergne Farms’ project, Promoting Ontario Maple Sugar ($50,000), will help them produce granulated maple sugar in bulk quantities for processed products in Ontario to replace imported maple sugar and to provide an alternative sweetener for cane/beet refined sugar. Auvergne Farms estimates an increase in sales of Ontario maple sugar of $2 million by 2016.
"This project means opportunity," says Bob Jakeman, Owner of Auvergne Farms Limited. "An opportunity for maple syrup producers and an opportunity for Ontarian’s to gain access to more maple sugar products. Jakeman’s is thankful for the support of the Greenbelt Fund and proud to be able to provide a processing facility that will help Ontario maple syrup producers increase the reach of their product.”
“Supporting this innovative project will help create new market opportunities for Ontario maple syrup producers,” says the Honourable Jeff Leal, Minister of Rural Affairs. “When we support the good things that are grown in Ontario, we strengthen rural communities, grow our economy, and create jobs for today and tomorrow.”
Grants to 100 Mile Food Services Ltd. and My Sustainable Canada were also announced today. For a detailed description of all of these projects, visit Ontariofresh.ca.
Since its launch in 2010, the Greenbelt Fund has supported 89 projects with funding totalling $8.1 million, increasing the amount of local food available across the province. Ontario’s investments in the Greenbelt Fund are connecting more farmers to new markets and putting more Ontario food in daycares, schools, universities, colleges, and restaurants, creating a projected return of $50.3 million—or a six to one return on investment for every dollar spent.
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About the Greenbelt Fund:
The Greenbelt Fund, a non-profit organization, supports and enhances the viability, integrity, and sustainability of agriculture in the Greenbelt and Ontario.
The Fund delivers support to farmers and local food leaders to ensure more of the good things that grow in Ontario are being served and distributed through our public institutions, retail, and foodservice markets. Helping to overcome challenges and support economic growth, the Fund’s goal is to create systemic change to permanently increase the amount of local food consumed in the province through grants, education, policy, and networking initiatives. The Fund is supported by public and private sources. For more information about the program and grants visit Ontariofresh.ca. For more information on local food, visit foodlandontario.ca.
For more information about the Ontario government’s new Local Food Act and broader local food strategy, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food website.
Contacts:
Jennifer Asselin
Communications Manager
Greenbelt Fund
Phone: (416) 960-0001, ext. 306
jasselin[a]greenbeltfund.ca
Anne-Marie Flanagan
Flanagan & Associates
Phone: (416) 735-3690
amflan[a]sympatico.ca