Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ| Product development partnership launched

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Product development partnership launched

Three organizations involved in the development of new food products have announced a new partnership. The PEI Food Technology Centre, Holland College's Culinary Institute of Canada and »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ Business Development will work together to develop value-added food products using »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ ingredients. The team will develop products for PEI based food processors who will produce and market them commercially.

"We have a great deal of expertise in product development and marketing here in this province," said Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie. "The food sector in PEI is valued at $1 billion and this partnership will work together to increase that amount and to increase employment in this sector."

The Culinary Institute will create skills in product concept and recipe development to maximize the appeal of the products to consumers. The Food Technology Centre will provide innovation, product development support such as packaging, shelf life testing and training for food processing entrepreneurs and will provide space in its pilot plant for approved projects. PEIBDI will provide marketing and business counselling support in order to reduce the risk in launching these new products.

"The Food Technology Centre has a long and excellent history of co-operation with the private sector, " said FTC executive director Jim Smith. "This partnership will take that relationship one step further by ensuring culinary, technical, marketing and business counselling support for new products and guiding each project will be the goal for success in the marketplace and economic benefit to PEI."

"Economic development and industry partnerships are key priorities for Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵand its divisions, including The Culinary Institute of Canada," commented Jeanette MacAulay, Vice President of Development and External Affairs at Holland College. "In addition, today's agreement greatly enhances the learning experience of Culinary students who can benefit from this applied research in the development of new food products."

For the majority of seafood and agri-food products in PEI, only primary processing is undertaken in the province. Raw material products such as mussels, oysters, clams, pork, salmon, and potatoes will be used as ingredients in value added products. The goal of this partnership is to increase the amount of value added processing done in PEI by utilizing the strengths of each organization in the partnership. PEI Business Development is the lead business development corporation for the Province. The agency works to solicit and support investment in PEI; actively supports small businesses; encourages entrepreneurship and investment risk sharing; provides leadership in trade development and export initiatives of the province; and promotes PEI as a competitive place to do business.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2004