Barry Cudmore, Chair of FOODTRUST of Prince Edward Island, has announced the appointment of Brian Fortune to the Board. Mr. Fortune operates an aquaculture processing facility in Orwell Cove, and ships mussels, softshell clams, quahaugs and oysters to markets all over North America and Europe.
"Mr. Fortune has earned a strong reputation for high quality service to his many customers, and has built premium markets because of that," said Mr. Cudmore. "He will bring a great deal of experience and expertise to the work of FOODTRUST of Prince Edward Island which will benefit, not only the aquaculture industry, but other agriculture and fisheries products as well."
Chester Gillan, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, said he is pleased that Mr. Fortune has accepted a position on the Board. "The FOODTRUST board has brought together a wide range of people with strong ties to the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture industries," said Mr. Gillan. "They have developed an ambitious workplan, and I am confident that the appointment of Mr. Fortune as the aquaculture sector representative will help strengthen its work."
FOODTRUST of Prince Edward Island is currently partnering with a number of Island companies interested in co-branding their products under an umbrella brand developed by FOODTRUST in a retail test market to be implemented early in the new year. It is also seeking opportunities in the food service and tourism sectors to promote its brand at both the local level and abroad.
"I am very excited about the opportunities to market Prince Edward Island products in this way," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy. "Prince Edward Island can become a leader in the production and processing of high value, high quality food products from sustainable systems, and become recognized and rewarded in the marketplace because of that." Mr. Murphy said the appointment of Mr. Fortune to the FOODTRUST board will help achieve its common goals and directions.
FOODTRUST is an industry-led non-profit company established to market food products under a Prince Edward Island brand. Board members represent all the major commodities, along with food service, tourism, processing and other sectors of the food industry in the province.