New apple slicing and packaging equipment is increasing capacity and helping Nova Scotia growers reach institutional markets like schools, hospitals and care facilities.
With support from the Province, a new apple slicer and processing line is now operating at The Station Food Hub Company in Newport Station, Hants County.
“This new equipment helps open new market opportunities for Nova Scotia growers, particularly within public institutions,” said Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture. “It shows how government and industry working together can strengthen local businesses while making local food more accessible across our province.”
Minister Morrow visited the company today, April 16, with local apple growers, community partners and students from a nearby elementary school.
The Station Food Hub Company received $25,000 from the Department of Agriculture’s Institutional Supplier Investment Program and $72,045 from the Institutional Development Expansion and Advancement (IDEA) program to purchase slicing and packaging equipment. This has increased the volume of apples processed from 30 cases per day to as many as 300.
Each case provides about 180 servings, and more cases will enable fresh, local apple slices to be included in the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program and in other institutional settings.
During the event, students from Three Mile Plains District School learned how local foods like apples make their way from Nova Scotian orchards, participated in an agriculture learning session and sampled fresh, local apple slices.
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