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“Innovation is a key driver for our economy and PEI Juice Works Ltd. is using unique technology to produce its product for sale both domestically and for export,” said Senator Duffy on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. “Job creation and economic growth is our Government’s top priority, that is why we are proud to support projects like this one, aimed to do exactly that.”

PEI Juice Works completed product testing and is now producing a unique wild blueberry juice garnered from an old family recipe. The value-added wild blueberry product will be for sale domestically and for export.

“Value-added products support our agriculture industry and help strengthen our economy. The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to support companies such as Juice Works in creating jobs and strengthening rural communities,” said Minister Henderson, on behalf of the Honourable George Webster, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for Prince Edward Island, and the Honourable Allen Roach, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

The unique processing of the juice is designed to extract the crucial elements of the berry that give the fruit such high nutritional ratings.

“There is an increasing demand for innovative products to address opportunities in the marketplace,” said Mr. Denton Ellis, President, PEI Juice Works “The development of these products requires partnerships and we are pleased to have received support from the provincial and federal governments as we move into juice production.”

ACOA, through its Business Development Program, has invested $293,801 towards the acquisition of equipment. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is providing an investment of up to $32,300 through the Canadian Agriculture Adaptation Program (CAAP) to help PEI Juice Works further develop the fruit industry through local processing and provide value-added market opportunities for all growers. The CAAP program is delivered in the province through the PEI ADAPT Council. The Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry, through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Growing Forward Innovation Program, is providing funding up to $60,000 to assist with capital costs to establish the juice line. Innovation P.E.I has invested $155,640 to assist with product development and marketing.