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Expansion funds a sweet treat for Parry Sound maple syrup producers

Four producers will share in $124,000 to grow operations
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Hubbert's Maple Producers of Sundridge is receiving provincial funds to build a new warehouse, renovate its sugar house, and purchase new production equipment.

Maple syrup producers in the Parry Sound District received a sweet treat on Nov. 3, with $124,000 in provincial funds to expand their operations.

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund money will be shared by four producers, and the investment is expected to create new jobs and support economic growth in the region.

Funding allotments include: 

  • $98,223 for Hubbert’s Maple Products of Sundridge – a family-owned maple syrup producer – to renovate an existing 5,200-square-foot sugar house, build a new 5,000-square-foot warehouse, and purchase new production equipment;
  • $10,980 for Two Wet Dogs Inc. of Loring to start a maple syrup operation with 500 taps on 25 acres and supply wholesale raw sap and maple syrup for retail;
  • $10,365 for Trillium Maple Farm of Arnstein to buy new equipment to increase syrup production and to produce sweet treats such as maple sugar and birch sugar; and
  • $4,559 for Clapperton’s Maple Syrup of Loring – a family-run business that produces maple syrup for retail, wholesale and bulk – to build a 316-square-foot kitchen and bottling room equipped with new production equipment that can process greater volumes of syrup.

"Growing our business during these difficult times includes a full website (with e-commerce), additional taps, a more efficient sap collection system, and an expanded bottling area. These enhancements have increased our supply of product while maintaining our in-house quality control,” said Bill Hubbert, co-owner of Hubbert’s Maple Products, in a Nov. 3 news release.

“The project represents the largest investment in a farm in this localized area in over 100 years, helping us meet the demand for quality Northern Ontario food while providing for employment opportunities as we grow."

According to the most recent figures available from the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, Ontario maple syrup producers made about 4 million litres of maple syrup in 2011, which was valued at more than $53 million.