Food In Canada

New Brunswick company expands with new equipment

Food in Canada   

Food In Canada Business Operations Packaging Fruit & Vegetables potatoes repayable contribution

With the financial support of the federal and provincial governments Atlantic Potato Distributors will increase capacity and create new jobs

new potatoes isolated on white

Perth-Andover, N.B. – Atlantic Potato Distributors, a family owned and operated business, has received financial help from both the federal government and the province of New Brunswick.

With both governments’ support, Atlantic Potato Distributors is adding a new automated sorting and bagging line to its potato packing facility.

In a statement, the federal government says through ACOA’s Business Development Program it is providing a repayable contribution of $500,000, and the province is contributing $320,000 through Opportunities NB and the Regional Development Corporation. Atlantic Potato Distributors is investing $180,000.

Atlantic Potato Distributors is owned by the Hanscome family, and farms more than 1,100 acres and employs more than 70 people. The statement says “the company washes, grades and packs potatoes resulting in more than 50 private label products using potatoes from more than 35 local and US producers.”

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On its website the company says it’s “the first Canadian company to be certified CPIQ (Canadian Partners in Quality) for a packing shed. This allows them to ship into the US on their own internal documentation. (No Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspections.)

The new equipment will allow the company “to expand its potato grading and packing capacities to meet growing demand for special orders and respond to them more quickly,” says the statement.

The company is also purchasing and installing new equipment and conveyors to automate and enhance potato receiving and handling efficiencies.

Company founder Ralph Hanscome says he’s grateful for the opportunity “to expand our production abilities to secure more business, create additional jobs, and continue to partner with local businesses.”


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