Government of Canada Supports Growth of Fromagerie Le Detour

NOTRE-DAME-DU-LAC, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 14, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that Fromagerie Le Détour (2003) Inc. has been granted financial assistance to install a higher-performance water supply system and thereby increase production of its fine cheeses.

"This contribution from the Government of Canada will support Fromagerie Le Détour in its efforts to ensure it has the production capacity it needs to be able to bolster sales on the Canadian and U.S. markets," said Minister Lebel.

The project involves the acquisition of an additional water storage tank, the installation of a new water purification system and the construction of a machine room in a separate building to free up space for production and optimize the use of existing equipment.

In operation for almost a decade, Fromagerie Le Détour manufactures some 30 products, including a variety of sheep, goat and cow milk-based cheeses. About 65% of the firm's revenues come from the sale outside Quebec of a line of nine specialty cheeses distributed through two Canadian distribution networks. Many of the company's products have garnered prizes in provincial, national and international competitions, including its Grey Owl goat cheese, which was ranked first in its category this year by the American Cheese Society, and La Dame du Lac, which took second prize in the fat-free and low-fat cow milk cheese category.

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This $37,750 in repayable funding has been granted through the Business and Regional Growth program to promote the growth of the agri-food and agri-tourism industries, key development priorities for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. This investment is also intended to support the economic diversification of the Regional County Municipality (RCM) of Témiscouata.

To learn more, visit fromagerieledetour.ca.

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