Backgrounder: Three southern Ontario food manufacturers receive nearly $2.4 million to grow and create jobs

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Iqwinder Gaheer, Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Malton, announced a total investment of nearly $2.4 million for three innovative food manufacturers to seize new opportunities for growth and create 56 jobs.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Iqwinder Gaheer, Member of Parliament for Mississauga–Malton, announced a total investment of nearly $2.4 million for three innovative food manufacturers to seize new opportunities for growth and create 56 jobs.

This investment includes support for the following projects:

• Coco Bakery Inc. is a food manufacturer of French pastries and sweet goods. This $683,000 investment, will help Coco Bakery as it expands its operations through the adoption of cutting-edge equipment, contributing to more than double its current French macaron production capacity to meet the increased demand for its products from new and existing clients in Canada and the U.S. The investment will create 20 skilled jobs in Mississauga.

• "The investment from FedDev Ontario will help increase Coco Bakery's capacity, thus accelerating our growth in new channels in Canada and the U.S. Since we are a local manufacturer, and we source many of our input materials from domestic suppliers, our growth translates to more employment for Canadians."
  – Beth Carreon, President, Coco Bakery

• Metzger Meat Products Inc. (Metzger) is an innovative rural food processor of smoked and European-style cured meats. The $1.2 million investment, will support the company to increase its production capacity through the adoption of new, high-speed automated equipment to improve its dry-curing, filling and manufacturing process. This will enable the company to realize efficiencies, as well as position it to pursue new opportunities in the ready-to-cook meats market and create 21 rural skilled jobs in Hensall.

• "We are very appreciative of FedDev Ontario's investment in our project. With strong business growth comes the need to innovate with advanced processing equipment so we can increase efficiencies and capacity to keep up with the demand while controlling our costs. Having the support of FedDev Ontario has provided a real boost and will help us to continue to grow to the benefit of our business, our local rural community, and the loyal customers we serve."
  – Gerhard Metzger, President, Metzger Meat Products Inc.

• Al-Shamas Food Products Ltd. (Al-Shamas) is a manufacturer of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook halal foods. The $500,000 investment will support Al-Shamas' expansion to a new facility with the adoption of new equipment that will support its growth and modernize its manufacturing processes. This will enable the company to double its manufacturing capacity, add two new product lines for chicken nuggets and burgers, expand into new markets, and create 15 skilled jobs in Mississauga.

• "We are sincerely very grateful to FedDev Ontario for their investment which will support Al-Shamas' expansion to a new facility. Your assistance will go a long way towards serving growing Halal communities in Canadian and U.S. markets. It's a dream come true to serve the community by providing Halal food all across North America and giving back to Canada which always becomes you, no matter where you are born."
  – Hina Majid, Owner and Director, Al-Shamas Food Products Ltd.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing these three businesses within the southern Ontario food processing sector with the support they need to enhance production capabilities, increase revenues and create 56 skilled jobs.

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