Canadian Government Backs Saladexpress to Enhance Productivity

28 Oct, 2023

Canadian Government Backs Saladexpress to Enhance Productivity

The Canadian Government is actively promoting economic development in Quebec's regions by supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). During a visit to the Saladexpress Inc. plant, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism, and Minister responsible for CED, along with Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay‒Lacolle, announced a repayable contribution of $500,000. This funding from CED (Canada Economic Development) will enable Saladexpress to acquire and install digital production equipment on its onion peeling line, a pivotal step in food processing that will significantly enhance its productivity and production capacity.

Saladexpress specializes in processing salads and vegetables, offering a variety of top-quality, preservative-free, and ready-to-serve or cook food products. The support from CED will facilitate Saladexpress's growth by improving its productivity, allowing the company to expand its range of food products, including ready-to-eat salads and ready-to-cook cut vegetables, under the Florette brand.

The Canadian Government acknowledges and supports businesses and organizations that play a vital role in their communities. Quebec's economic growth is intrinsically linked to the strength of regional businesses like Saladexpress, which are essential in building a sustainable and inclusive economy.

In the words of Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay‒Lacolle, "Our government has long been investing in the agri-food industry, including to promote and showcase businesses and their products. Our government's ongoing support for SMEs is giving them the means to face the current crisis and enabling them to play an active part in the recovery of our economy."

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism, and Minister responsible for CED, emphasized the importance of supporting SMEs and businesses' role in community development and regional vitality. She expressed her delight with CED's support for Saladexpress's project, affirming the government's commitment to providing businesses with the necessary tools to equip themselves and remain competitive.

Sylvain Racette, President of Saladexpress Inc., acknowledged the challenges in processing vegetables given the impact of climate change on local harvests. He noted that investing in flexible technological equipment is essential to ensure the competitiveness of their Florette products in the retail and food service markets. He expressed gratitude for the federal government's support in fulfilling their mission of adding value to locally grown vegetables.

Quick facts:

The funding is provided under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, which supports entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance competitiveness.
In Quebec, SMEs account for 99.7% of the province's businesses and contribute to 50% of its GDP.
CED plays a pivotal role in Quebec's regional economic development, working with businesses, supporting organizations, and all regions across Quebec to shape the future economy.