Le Temps des Cerises Receives Support From Government of Canada for Expansion

CHARRETTE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 7, 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, today announced that Le Temps des Cerises received $211,154 in repayable financial assistance for the construction of a food processing shop and acquisition of specialized equipment for the manufacture of cherry-based products.

Minister Lebel, who was unable to attend the inauguration of the new facilities, applauded the completion of this project. "I congratulate Mr. Gilles Beaulieu for the vision, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit he has shown in this undertaking. The Government of Canada is proud to support this milestone in the growth and expansion of Le Temps des Cerises."

Founded in 2000, Le Temps des Cerises is Quebec's first commercial cherry orchard. The company's 8,000 trees produce a variety of fruit known as the morello cherry, which it then processes into a variety of products such as dried, yogurt-covered and chocolate-dipped cherries and jams and jellies.

For further information on this enterprise and its products, sold in food stores under the brand name Croque Cerise, visit www.croquecerise.ca.

This financial assistance from the Government of Canada has been awarded through the Community Adjustment Fund established under Canada's Economic Action Plan. To learn more about this plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Canada Economic Development is online at www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Subscribe to the Agency's press releases at http://www.dec-ced.gc.ca/eng/media-room/mailing-list/list.html to keep up with the latest news.