Minister Bibeau announces investments in Lac-Saint-Jean’s dairy processors in Quebec
July 16, 2021 | By Maryam Farag
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced investments totalling over $4.5 million to three projects that will help boost production for Quebec dairy processors in the region of Lac-Saint-Jean.
Minister Bibeau made the announcement at Fromagerie Médard in Saint Gédéon, which is receiving up to $969,000 through the Dairy Processing Investment Fund (DPIF) and up to $1,000,000 through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) for new equipment. By 2025, it is expected that this funding will create an additional two jobs, and increase the milk used in the production process by 74 per cent.
Nutrinor Cooperative received up to $395,000 to purchase an Ultra Filtration system. The project will allow the cooperative to increase its production of liquid dairy protein concentrate, increase its quantity of processed milk, and increase the yield of the cheese factories they supply. By 2023, it’s expected that the funding will create an additional five jobs and increase the milk used in the production process by 48 per cent.
“This investment will help us acquire state-of-the-art equipment that will allow Nutrinor to produce liquid milk protein concentrate, be even more competitive in the market and increase the milk processing capacity of our member producers here in our region at the Alma plant.” said Luc Belley, Vice President, Operations, Agri-Food Sector, Nutrinor.
Minister Bibeau announced an investment to Fromagerie Boivin, which is receiving up to $1,340,000 through the DPIF for new equipment to increase production and up to $800,000 through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions to expand their building and acquire equipment to optimize the production of processed cheese and modernize the packaging line.
“The story of Fromagerie Médard is one of family and artisans who are passionate about the land and their craft. This grant will give us wings in the coming years.” said Justine Boivin-Côté and Rose-Alice Boivin-Côté, Owners, Fromagerie Médard.
