The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture), announced funding to help create and diversify new markets for Canadian producers of pigments from natural sources. The funding will help Colarôme Inc. bring its natural pigment products to market sooner to the benefit of Canadian farmers and our economy.
“The Government of Canada is focussing on Canadian farmers’ interests by supporting innovative projects that will open new market opportunities for our agricultural products,” said Minister Blackburn. “Projects like this will enable farmers to increase their bottom lines, create new jobs in our rural communities and help strengthen our economy.”
The Colarôme Inc. facility will expand to include new equipment that will enable the company to increase production of natural pigment products derived from vegetable sources and introduce these products to new markets. The pigments will be used in nutraceutical, cosmetic and confectionary goods. The project is expected to generate significant demand for red cabbage and beets as the company estimates purchasing almost $400,000 worth of feedstock by 2011. A total of 11 new jobs will be created.
“We are very grateful for the federal government’s support and contribution to our project,” said Robin Côté, CEO of Colarôme Inc. “This funding will allow us to increase and diversify the use of natural pigments in a variety of Canadian products and help create new markets at all levels of the value chain.”
Colarôme Inc. will receive over $781,000 under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agri-Opportunities Program in the form of a repayable contribution. The program provides funding for projects that can be expected to increase market opportunities for the Canadian agricultural industry across the value chain and generate demand for primary agricultural products.
The Agri-Opportunities Program is a $134 million five year program ending in March 2011 that focuses on new innovative agri-products, processes or services that are currently not commercially produced or available in Canada and that are ready to be introduced into the marketplace.
