Feds help Manitoba vegetable company

April 11, 2012, Portage La Prairie, Man – The Government of Canada is investing in a vegetable processing facility that will benefit local growers and create 20 jobs during the first year of production.

Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products Inc. received an investment of $2.5 million to increase production of their high-quality purees.

The repayable contribution, provided by the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP), will help the company expand its puree manufacturing facility to commercial-scale production, using a novel production process that is new to the Canadian market. The system is economical to operate and leaves a small environmental footprint.

The company will manufacture vegetable purees using a new processing technology that uses rapid steam-infusion cooking to retain the colour, texture, flavour and nutritional quality of the products in the puree. Quality purees are ideal for producing soup and baby food, as they provide superior quality and extended shelf life.

“This initiative is very important for the vegetable and fruit growers in Manitoba,” says Kelly Beaulieu, P.Ag., company vice president. “The vegetables and fruit produced in Manitoba are of premium quality and the puree format we developed is a superior method for providing global export opportunity.”

Local farmers will also benefit from the project. Producers will be able to use more of their harvested crops since they often have produce that is both fresh and healthy but not a suitable size and shape for direct sale.