Food Processing Expands In Chatham-Kent - McGuinty Government Supports Agri-Food Industry, Creates Jobs

Ontario is helping a leading North American food processor expand into Wheatley to support local farmers, strengthen the local economy and create up to 100 jobs.

With support from Ontario's Rural Economic Development Program, Bolthouse Farms has partnered with local grower, Nature's Finest, to grow and process Ontario carrots. The project will allow Bolthouse to:

• create up to 100 new jobs within the first two years
• expand into new markets
• source more carrots from local farmers
• increase the regions' food production and processing capacity.

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

"By investing in new and expanded food processing facilities, we are strengthening our agri-food industry and growing our province's economy. The McGuinty government's support for this project will not only create jobs, but it will provide new opportunities for farmers and support local foods."
- Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"Our government's support for this new food processing facility will bring up to 100 new jobs to Wheatley and benefit our community for years to come. By investing in this project, we're supporting our local economy, our farmers, and our food system."
- Pat Hoy, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex

"The mission of Bolthouse Farms is to help people live healthier and more vibrant lives and one way to do that is to insure that we provide local and regional communities with better access and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables - the investment in Wheatley is a perfect example of this mission coming to life."
- Jeff Dunn, Chief Executive Officer of Bolthouse Farms.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has invested over $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.