A new food hub to boost marketing capabilities and agri-food innovation
Press release
Saint-Camille, November 24, 2023 - Cultur'Innov, a cooperative specializing in emerging fruit production, is proud to announce the launch of the Centre de conditionnement et de transformation alimentaire (CCTA) des Sources in Saint-Camille. This investment of over $2 million will establish a food hub dedicated to packaging, processing and adding value to agri-food products, as well as to the valorization of by-products resulting from these activities.
Supporting production and innovation by agri-food producers
With two processing laboratories and a commercial kitchen, the CCTA will offer access to specialized packaging and processing equipment, such as juice presses, grinders, freeze-dryers and dehydrators. In this way, the cooperative aims to strengthen the capacities of small agri-food businesses by providing practical, efficient solutions for managing harvests and making agri-food products.
Access new markets through collective marketing
With these new services, Cultur'Innov aims to boost the marketing capabilities of its members and offer new opportunities to growers. That's why it has established a strategic partnership with the Coopérative ATAB de Trois-Pistoles, which specializes in the sale of inputs for the fermentation industry. By pooling the volumes of fruit and herbs produced by their members, the two cooperatives will be in a better position to meet the needs of agri-food processors wishing to source locally.
Creating added value with residual materials and co-products
CCTA will eventually be able to process all packaging residues (pulp, cakes, branches, etc.) on site. By adopting a circular economy approach, the project will explore opportunities for developing value-added products from these residual materials. This global approach aims to reduce operating costs and promote efficient use of resources, while generating new revenues.
With its consulting services, agronomic research, specialized equipment and marketing services, Cultur'Innov is more than ever a key player in building a solid, sustainable food chain for the future.
Quotes
"Local food production and consumption play an essential role in people's lives. In Saint-Camille, we have made culture and agriculture priority sectors of our development, as they are distinctive elements of our identity. The creation of the CCTA is in line with this vision. The project will propel the economy of our municipality and region by giving greater access to local food. This is truly a great day for our entire community." Philippe Pagé, Mayor of the Municipality of the Canton of Saint-Camille
"By providing financial support to Cultur'Innov's Centre de conditionnement et de transformation alimentaire, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is giving agri-food businesses access to the services they need to develop new products and markets, and thus ensure their prosperity. The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, MNA for Compton-Stanstead and Minister of National Revenue
"For years, Cultur'Innov has been at the forefront of research into emerging crops, whose potential is highlighted in the Plan de développement de la zone agricole et agroforestière de la MRC des Sources. The CCTA is directly in line with the economic diversification sectors prioritized on the territory, and the new services offered in agri-food processing will have a significant impact on the regional ecosystem." Hugues Grimard, Prefect of the MRC des Sources
"Collective entrepreneurship plays an important role in Quebec's socio-economic development. By supporting this Coop de solidarité Cultur'Innov project, our objective is to accelerate the growth of a social economy enterprise that plays a structuring role in its region." Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region
"Our government's actions to increase our food self-sufficiency are producing tangible results. The inauguration of the CCTA des Sources is a good example. With its focus on packaging, processing and adding value to agri-food products, the Centre will strengthen our supply chain, for the benefit of the Quebec population." André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region
"The launch of the Centre de conditionnement et de transformation alimentaire (CCTA) des Sources represents a significant milestone in our commitment to diverting organic matter from disposal. By promoting their recycling, we are creating new opportunities for the municipal and industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sectors, contributing to the sustainable management of food resources and the valuable return of organic matter to the soil." Francis Vermette, Senior Operations Manager, RECYC-QUÉBEC.
"La Financière agricole is pleased to support innovative projects such as the Centre de conditionnement et de transformation alimentaire (CCTA) des Sources launched by Cultur'Innov, a cooperative specializing in emerging fruit production. This new service offering stands out for its sustainable development principles. We wish this new food hub every success in its future activities. Patrice Blais, Regional Manager, Sherbrooke Service Center
"The Réseau d'investissement social du Québec and the Fiducie du Chantier de l'économie sociale are proud to be financial partners in this large-scale collective project, which responds to the challenges of food autonomy and local sourcing. Cultur'Innov's Centre de conditionnement et de transformation alimentaire opens the doors to tomorrow's agriculture with its innovative approach to the agricultural production and processing chain. It is the perfect example of how the social economy model combines vision and collective empowerment." Élias Michelena, financial analyst, RISQ and Fiducie du Chantier de l'économie sociale
"The SADC des Sources is proud to collaborate in the realization of the Centre de conditionnement et de transformation alimentaire (CCTA) thanks to the leadership of Cultur'Innov. This innovative project contributes to strengthening local and regional economic vitality." Pascal Lapointe, President SADC des Sources
"At Desjardins, we take an active part in socio-economic development with the aim of contributing to the sharing of wealth and sustainable development. The CCTA des Sources is a fine example of how to implement a collective project for the benefit of its members, a posture that is particularly dear to us. As a cooperative and partner of choice for agricultural financing in the Eastern Townships, and in Quebec as a whole, Desjardins is proud to lend its financial support to this project, which aims to support the growth of agri-food businesses in the region." Serge Poirier, Manager, Agricultural Business Development, Desjardins Entreprises Estrie
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Source :
Pierre-Claude Roy, General Manager, Cultur'Innov
Cell : 819-432-6104
Pierre-Claude.Roy@culturinnov.qc.ca
www.culturinnov.qc.ca
About Cultur'Innov
Bringing together more than 320 agricultural producers in Quebec and the Maritimes, Cultur'Innov is a cooperative founded in 2009 and specializing in emerging crops (emerging berries, nut trees, medicinal plants and forest mushrooms). Recognized as a technology transfer establishment, Cultur'Innov offers training, consulting services and research activities to support growers and aspiring growers in the development of their agri-food activities.
