Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington, joined EarthFresh Farms Inc. CFO Brad Wiseman and CEO Tom Hughes to announce over $1.2 million through the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) for a new multi-vegetable one step product line.
Caihua Shi and Winnie Chiu, Research Associate and Food Scientist with EarthFresh.
Located in Burlington, EarthFresh Farms Inc. specializes in supplying the food services and retail industries of nine Canadian Provinces and 38 U.S States. EarthFresh is involved in all segments of the potato industry — from potato breeding, to seed production and packing and distributing. EarthFresh packs in its own production facilities in Burlington, Ontario and is a market leader with the largest stock of exclusive potato varieties in North America and over 15,000 acres of its own varieties of potatoes.
The project will develop a technology platform that will extend product shelf life through improved packaging, and enhance flavour delivery through a self-saucing mechanism for potato, Brussels sprouts and veggie mix side dishes. It will reduce meal prep time by 50%, reduce product waste by 30-40% and reduce the cost of goods by 25%.
The success of Canada’s economy and our ability to create good, middle-class jobs depends on the capacity of Canadian businesses to innovate and take those innovations to market. The Government of Canada, through IRAP, is delivering on its commitment to support the growth of Canadian businesses and create jobs by making significant investments in innovation.
Damoff said: “The success of our business innovators is critical to securing Canada’s economic future. By providing access to funding and valuable business advice, National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program helps Canadian small and medium sized companies like EarthFresh Farms successfully commercialize their innovations, grow their businesses, and create the good, middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.”
Brad Wiseman, the CFO of EarthFresh Farms Inc. commented: “We are very excited about the National Research Council’s significant contribution through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). This contribution will allow for the creation of sustainable transformative value-added products which will generate long-lasting benefits for the produce industry; for the end consumer; and for all of Canada.”
“NRC IRAP helps innovative Canadian small and medium-sized businesses succeed by offering customized investment and local support and advice. Our advisors understand technology and innovation and offer a unique blend of expertize, information, and resources to help businesses further their innovation capabilities and grow the economy. NRC IRAP succeeds when our clients succeed,” said Iain Stewart, President of the National Research Council of Canada.
For more information: 
Pam Damoff
Tel: 905-847-4043
Email: Pam.damoff.c1a@parl.gc.ca
www.nrc.canada.ca/en
Stephanie Cutaia 
EarthFresh Foods
Tel: +1 (416) 201-4380
Email: scutaia@earthfreshfoods.com
www.earthfreshfoods.com