ST. JACOBS, Ontario – An investment of more than $77,000 was given to Heidelberg Foods Ltd. on Feb, 14 through Canada's Economic Action Plan to improve the company’s meat processing equipment, announced member of Parliament Harold Albrecht (Kitchener-Conestoga). This repayable contribution was used by Heidelberg Foods Ltd. to purchase and install an automatic de-linking machine, a chill cooler unit and a blast freezer unit, allowing the company to meet the quick-chilling CFIA requirements for its uncured meat products.

These improvements are expected to result in an increase in the annual demand for pork, beef and turkey and the creation of new jobs for the people of Ontario.


"Good news spreads fast," said Steve Caron, general manager of Heidelberg Foods Ltd. "Since becoming a Federally Registered Facility in 2007 and subsequently removing allergens from our products, we've enjoyed a significant increase in demand for the Noah Martin Brand products, particularly the meat snacks. The equipment purchased as a result of the monies received from the Economic Action Plan will give our St. Jacobs plant the much needed extra capacity to meet projected growth - not only in shelf-stable meats – but, also in our whole-muscle hams, turkeys and roast beef."

This investment is being delivered by the AgriFlexibility Fund through the AgriProcessing Initiative, a five-year, up to $50 million initiative designed to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-processing sector in Canada. It provides support to existing companies for projects that involve the adoption of innovative and new-to-company manufacturing technologies and processes that are essential to sustaining and improving the sector's position in today's global marketplace.