Tradition to benefit from new technology

Feb. 13, 2015, Scarborough, Ont. — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz yesterday announced that the government of Canada will invest $4.9 million to help Tradition Fine Foods Ltd. become one of the leading laminated and frozen pastry makers in North America. He was joined by Member of Parliament Roxanne James (Scarborough Centre).

This investment will be used to expand the company’s existing bakery and for the purchase and installation of new-to-Canada pastry processing technology. The new state–of-the-art equipment, which includes a laminated pastry line (the process of alternating dough and fat — such as butter — when making pastry), overhead cooling tunnel and high speed make-up line, will double manufacturing capacity and improve operating efficiencies. This will allow the firm to respond to incremental market opportunities in North America.

“The Canadian food processing industry is an important economic driver in Ontario and across Canada,” says Ritz. “Introducing this new technology will enable Tradition Fine Foods Ltd. to respond to increasing export opportunities while continuing to deliver products of a consistent high quality that meet the needs of consumers at competitive prices.”

“The funding that Tradition has received under the AgriInnovation Program has allowed our Company to both expand our facility by 34,000 square feet and install a state-of-the-art pastry line,” says Tradition Fine Foods vice-president Catherine Glowczewski. “This has resulted in Tradition being able to pursue and secure sizeable business with best-in-class companies in the U.S. We are grateful to the AAFC for the financial support that has led to Tradition growing 49.3 per cent in the past 24 months.”

Quick Facts:

• Founded in 1982, Tradition Fine Foods Ltd. is a second-generation, family-owned business.
• The company is one of Canada’s leading manufacturers of frozen bakery products serving commercial clients across Canada and the United States.
• This project will benefit the Canadian agriculture sector by increasing demand for agri-based ingredients including flour, eggs, strawberries, apples and refined sugar.
• This investment is made through AAFC’s AgriInnovation Program, a five-year, up to $698-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.