Store managers and meat managers from all Co-op stores on Prince Edward Island met in Charlottetown to get a first look at Summerside Farms Pork, the first FoodTrust product to hit the market. This product is grown by a dedicated group of FoodTrust producers on local, family-owned farms that follow progressive feeding, environmental and food safety brand standards.
Barry Cudmore, the Chair of FoodTrust said, "This product launch is the joint achievement of a strong industry partnership which includes grain producers, hog producers, PEI Pork Plus, FoodTrust and Co-op Atlantic."
Summerside Farms Pork is a direct result of research conducted by Dr. Dan Hurnik, the industry's Swine Research Chair at the Atlantic Veterinary College and Dr. Ted Van Lunen of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Charlottetown. The Research Chair is mandated by the local hog industry to develop innovative new products that get rewarded in the marketplace. Dr. Hurnik said that, "The unique feeding regime results in a balanced fat profile in the pork that is healthier for consumers. This has been shown to be beneficial in managing cholesterol levels."
The upcoming launch of Summerside Farms Pork in Co-op stores on Prince Edward Island is the first of many launches for this product. Researched in Boston to assess the potential of this product being exported to other areas of North America, families there were impressed by the superior taste of the product and at the same time being healthy for them. They liked the name, Summerside Farms, because it reminded them of bright summer days and barbequing in their backyards.
John Harvie, Chief Executive Officer of Co-op Atlantic said, "This is truly a unique product which helps reconnect the consumer to the producer through the FoodTrust brand. Co-op stores are pleased to be able to help bring this product to Islanders. For Co-op stores, it was a natural fit with the growing partnership we have with Island producers and with FoodTrust."
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy praised the initiative in his lunchtime address and noted that this partnership is an excellent example to industry of how to successfully compete in larger commodity focussed markets.
Islanders should watch for upcoming announcements regarding the pending launch of Summerside Farms Pork at Island Co-op stores.