The Government of Canada is investing more than $150,000 to assist an apple grower and wholesaler in the development of an experimental commercial process and production chain prototype to extract the natural sugars from lower-quality apples. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), announced this investment today.
"Our government continues to make the economy its top priority, and Quebec's apple industry makes a significant contribution to the strength of Canada's economy," emphasized Minister Paradis. "This investment will create a value-added product for the apple industry and will help processors who are seeking an alternative to refined sugar, a commodity whose price is constantly fluctuating."
This project by Les Vergers Cataphard & Fils Inc. will enhance the competitiveness of apple growers and manufacturers of food products. Les Vergers Cataphard & Fils Inc., the third-largest apple packaging company in Quebec, owns an orchard with 20,000 trees and produces 1.3 million kilograms of apples annually in the Laurentides region. It sells 3.8 million kilograms of apples to retailers and grocery stores. The investment will allow Les Vergers Cataphard & Fils Inc. to develop and perfect processes to extract the natural sugars from lower-quality apples that would not otherwise be marketable.
"We are thrilled to have received support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This contribution from the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program will help sustain our development efforts to turn downgraded apples into value-added products," said the company's president, Martin Cataphard.
This investment is funded through the national component of the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), an initiative that enables the agricultural sector to seize opportunities, take on new challenges, and try out solutions that will help it to adapt and remain competitive.
