A Parry Sound producer of organic fruit spreads is expanding its manufacturing and storage facility to increase production in response to growing demand for its products.
Crofter’s Food Ltd. produces a range of fruit spreads that are certified to be organic and non-GMO, and that use premium fruit and fair trade cane sugar in their creation.
Launched in 1989 by Gerhard and Gabi Latka after the couple immigrated from Germany, the operation started in a former laundromat that was repurposed for the business.
Since then, the family-owned enterprise has grown significantly, expanding in 2001 and again in 2013, and their products are now sold in Canada and the U.S. with retail and wholesale distributors.
The company has now received $1 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. to help facilitate its most recent expansion, which will involve the construction of a new facility to increase its daily production capacity, and create more storage space.
"Thanks to this investment from the Ontario government and NOHFC, Crofter’s Food Ltd. will be able to increase its raw material inventory and expand its Seguin-based operations, creating nine new jobs,” Gerhard Latka, Crofter’s president, said in a Nov. 9 news release.
“Larger inventories are required to withstand global supply chain disruptions and increasing pressures on agriculture due to climate change. This support is one part of securing the food supply chain and promoting continued growth in local manufacturing."
Crofter’s currently employs 30 people, and this most recent expansion is expected to create nine new full-time jobs.
