Nova Scotia – In Nova Scotia, an innovative agri-food business is growing – and it’s providing more than food. Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc. is also cultivating jobs and a greener future. At its flagship farm in Great Village, the company grows and harvests exotic mushrooms for retail. Additionally, it supplies ready-to-bloom substrate – a wood-based nutrient block on which indoor mushrooms are grown – to clients across Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and the northeastern United States. It’s part of the vital agri-food sector that provides fresh, healthy food to Atlantic Canadians, while supporting farmers, contributing to food stability, and strengthening rural economies.
Big demand for a small business
Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced a repayable contribution of $950,000 to help Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc. expand, automate and adopt cleaner energy.
The company is building a second facility in Debert, Nova Scotia which will triple production of fresh mushrooms and substrate to keep up with customer orders. ACOA’s support will help the company purchase and install specialized equipment at the new facility, such as an automated bagger, a high pressure steam boiler and robotic arms. The contribution will also help purchase solar panels, moving the company closer to its goal of using only renewable energy sources. The new facility will allow Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc. to double its current workforce which will create new jobs in the community.
Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to help rural businesses and communities grow and thrive by supporting sustainable agriculture, innovation and job creation.
“Rural agri-food businesses like Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc. aren’t just growing crops; they’re nurturing communities, creating local jobs, and cultivating a sustainable future, one harvest at a time. By supporting projects like this one, your federal government is helping companies build and maintain green supply chains – moving Canada closer to its net-zero emissions goals while fostering prosperity for Canadians from coast, to coast, to coast.”- Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms Inc. grows fresh and healthy products for folks right across Atlantic Canada, while boosting the local economy. I’m so pleased that our government is supporting a business that is committed to using cutting-edge, clean technologies, and this new investment will help them expand production and make their operations even more sustainable.”- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food