From farm to table: Building food sustainability

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

Image of a group of men and women and one male child in front of shelves of locally produced food; a gift box of tea; fresh produce; and jars of pickles in a bakset.
MP Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, recently visited the Cape Breton Food Hub and spoke with (l-r) Alix Redden, Co-Chair of the Board; Marc Lyons, Chef and Producer (Roots and Bulbs Farm); Katie MacLeod, Board Co-Chair; and Mark Jantunen, Board member and Producer (Bull and Tree Farm) with his son, Mark Jantunen Jr.; a sample of the food and products produced by the Cape Breton Food Hub’s growers and producers.

Federal government helps Cape Breton food processing facility get more local food into the hands of consumers  

June 27, 2024 · Bras d’Or, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Agriculture is an important economic driver in rural Nova Scotia. The Government of Canada is investing to help a Cape Breton co-operative take innovative steps to connect farmers and producers to local markets.

Federal government support increases access to fresh, local food

Today, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, announced a contribution of $190,000 to help the Cape Breton Food Hub (The Hub) to expand its food processing capacity, and help local producers connect with a wider consumer base. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

This investment will support the purchase of equipment for The Hub’s raw vegetable processing plant, as well as an industrial generator, shelving, and refrigeration units. The contribution will also support the development of an online forum for local producers to facilitate island-wide communication, coordination and distribution. This project will help create a more sustainable food system in Cape Breton, benefiting producers and consumers alike.

This announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen local food networks, drive regional prosperity, and grow a resilient, sustainable economy for all Canadians. 

Quotes

“Nova Scotia is famous for its delicious, fresh, home-grown foods. By supporting projects like the Cape Breton Food Hub, your federal government, through ACOA, is helping to create a more sustainable and affordable food market for Cape Bretoners. This is ensuring that the agri-food sector remains a strong driver of Cape Breton’s economy.” 
- The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Anytime we can help get more local products into the shopping baskets of consumers is a good day. I am pleased to see our government place an emphasis on the island’s agri-food sector - which in turn creates jobs and increases people’s access to good, homegrown, high-quality food.”
- Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria

“We are so happy to see further government investment in the Cape Breton Food Hub. This support will not only enhance our operational capacity but it continues to strengthen the connection between local producers and consumers. By expanding our processing and distribution capabilities, we’re continuing to build a more resilent and sustainable food system in Cape Breton.”
- Alix Redden, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Cape Breton Food Hub

Quick facts

  • Operating since 2015, the Cape Breton Food Hub houses a retail storefront, commercial kitchen, raw vegetable processing plant, and provides a local food distribution service. 

  • The Cape Breton Food Hub has a growing list of producers from across Cape Breton Island specializing in products such as meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, bread, preserves and more.

  • In 2023 the Cape Breton Food Hub generated $300,000 in revenue for local Cape Breton producers and is targeting to double this amount in 2024.

  • The funding announced today is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Innovative Communities Fund (ICF).

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

Connor Burton
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Connor.Burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
782-641-6365

Alix Redden
Board Co-Chair
Cape Breton Food Hub
alix_redden@hotmail.com  


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