With assistance from the Atlantic Agri-Products Competitiveness Initiative, the PEI Food Technology Centre has compiled and published a resource directory to assist small- to medium-sized food processors in the Atlantic region.
The guide, which is available from the Centre free of charge, is intended to assist entrepreneurs in the development of their food processing businesses. It offers information on a wide range of areas that are important to food processors of all sizes. In addition to general information on how to market and promote 'commercial-scale' products, it focuses on food safety, quality assurance and government regulations. The guide serves as a good starting reference for new entrepreneurs, and as a useful reminder to those already in business.
Significant contributions have also been made by the Departments of Agriculture in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, where guides will also be distributed. Marketing and business advice was provided to the project by Enterprise PEI.
"Having been in business for thirteen years, I would have appreciated such a book in the beginning," commented Lavinia Zwicker of Lavinia's Olde English Delights Ltd., Hatsport, N.S. "This is a very positive approach for new and established businesses — a guide which anyone would find very useful and time saving."
"This is an excellent resource for anyone starting out in the food processing industry," added Robert Morrissey, Minister of Economic Development & Tourism. "The Food Technology Centre is to be commended for their hard work towards creating this guide for people entering one of the fastest growing industries on and off Prince Edward Island."
For more information, contact: Jim Smith, Deputy Director, or Mary Jane Grant, Information & Promotion Manager, PEI Food Technology Centre, (902) 566-1725.