New organic mill opens in Quebec

Ottawa – La Meunerie Milanaise Inc., an organic milling company based in Milan, Quebec, has opened a new flour and specialty organic products mill in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

According to a press release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, construction of the new milling facility was made possible with a $5.8 million repayable contribution under the Growing Forward 2 AgriInnovation Program, a five-year $698-million initiative. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) are also financial partners in the project.

Quoted in the release is Robert Beauchemin, president of La Meunerie Milanaise: “This substantial financial assistance from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada for completion of our plans to build a new mill using the latest generation of technology in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu attests to a clear interest in and support for development and promotion of cereals from organic farming.”

The organic milling company was founded in 1982 when Beauchemin and Lily Vallières started a mill on their farm to grind their own grain. The business has been expanding to meet demand ever since. According to the release, with the new facility La Milanaise has increased its workforce from 34 to 59.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support the implementation of innovative projects that help agricultural and agri-food businesses expand their production and market share. This new mill will boost demand for Canadian farm products, improve the bottom line for farmers and food processors, and stimulate our economy,” said Jean-Claude Poissant, parliamentary secretary to the minister of agriculture and agri-food in the release.