Cheese factory co-op gets $1.5M from federal dairy fund
By PLANT STAFF
Industry Food & Beverage Government Manufacturing CETA Cheese dairy food and beverage manufacturing tradeWill help with modernization of equipment as co-op prepares for market changes resulting from CETA.
ST-ALBERT, Ont. — The St-Albert Cheese Co-operative has received $1.5 million from the federal Dairy Processing Investment Fund. The non-repayable funding will be used to modernize equipment at the St-Albert, Ont. co-op facilities.
The new equipment will help reduce the impact of power outages and effectively manage the performance of ventilation and humidity levels so refrigeration in the warehouses runs efficiently. This will help to increase the volume of milk product processed while reducing production costs.
The cheese factory, established in 1894, makes cheese from 100% pure milk. It is recognized for its fresh cheddars of the day, as well as its poutine and ripening cheddars.
The Dairy Processing Investment Fund was established to help dairy processors prepare for market changes resulting from the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
“The subsidy provides essential support for our cooperative, helping us in our efforts and contributing to the considerable investments needed to enhance our performance and competitiveness so that we can prepare for the many challenges ahead and seize new opportunities in the context of open markets and the consolidation of the dairy industry,” said Eric Lafontaine, general manager of the co-op.
The dairy sector contributes $20.9 billion through sales by farmers and food processors. In Ontario, more than 150 dairy processors generate $6 billion in sales and create more than 8,600 jobs.
