Investing in quality cheese production capacity in Quebec

Compton, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The dairy sector is an important contributor to Canada's economy, contributing $24 billion through sales by farmers and food processors, including over $7 billion in Quebec. The Government of Canada knows the importance of supporting a strong and competitive dairy industry that will ensure Canadian families continue to benefit from high-quality products while creating well-paying jobs for Canadians. 

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay along with his Parliamentary Secretary, Jean-Claude Poissant (La Prairie), and Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau (Compton – Stanstead), today announced a federal investment of up to $910,355 to Fromagerie La Station to help the cheese processor purchase and install robotic equipment to improve the quality of its products and enhance production capacity.

Fromagerie La Station’s ongoing expansion is expected to substantially increase demand for milk it buys, lower production costs, expand markets in Quebec and Canada, and improve the company’s competitiveness.

Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to the dairy processing industry’s modernization, competitiveness and new market development, fostering growth and prosperity for the sector. This funding will help Fromagerie La Station meet growing consumer demand for their award-winning cheeses, as well as contribute to the growth of Estrie’s regional economy.” - Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“Compton – Stanstead is home to innovative and competitive dairy processors like Fromagerie La Station. Through this investment the government of Canada enables this family business to produce more of their award-winning organic and high-quality specialty cheeses, benefiting the dairy sector and strengthening the economy of our region.” - Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie (Compton – Stanstead)

“This project will allow us to extend the ripening time for our certified organic farmhouse cheeses and to continue growing our company. Acquiring the automation system and expanding our ripening rooms will help us meet the growing demand for locally produced ripened cheeses and respond to European competition in this niche market. With this project, we will be better equipped to deliver high-quality products.” - Simon-Pierre Bolduc, Director General, Fromagerie La Station

Quick facts

• Fromagerie La Station’s expansion and automation project is supported by the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, a $100 million, four-year (2017 – 21) program designed to help dairy processors modernize their operations to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
• Fromagerie La Station is a small-scale family business with 10 employees, started in 2003 in Compton, Quebec, specializing in four types of cheese (Alfred le Fermier, Comtomme, Chemin Hatley and a raclette cheese). All their production is certified organic.
• This month, Fromagerie La Station won three top prizes at the Canadian Cheese Awards in Toronto, and last year, they won gold at the world cheese awards in London, England.
• Canada’s dairy sector is also supported by the associated Dairy Farm Investment Program. To date, over 1400 dairy producers have been approved for funding support valued at over $77 million (as of June 15, 2018), in a wide array of projects from small investments in cow comfort equipment to large ones for automated milking systems.