A P.E.I. company that created the world's first 100 per cent pure honey drops is starting to taste sweet success not just here at home but on the international front.
Island Abbey Foods, which is based in the West Royalty Industrial Park in Charlottetown, has won recognition at international food shows and has been featured in national and international magazines including Rachel Ray, Bon Appetit and Canadian Living.
The company has now added a honey and lemon candy, a botanically enhanced line of natural lozenges, and granulated honey, which it is calling honey sprinkles, that can be used as a sugar replacement in baking and a sweetener for drinks.
John Rowe, founder and president of Island Abbey Foods, says in 2004 when he returned home to P.E.I. he took his idea to the Food Technology Centre and was able to grow the company into what it is today.
There are currently 20-25 people working at Island Abbey Foods.
Another 15 more are expected to be hired in the coming months.
"We have been making steady progress over the last few years," Rowe said.
On Friday, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada invested $473,000 to expand operations once again to allow Island Abbey Foods to get a greater foothold into international markets.
The company will expand its production capacity and create a full production line.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, who was on hand for the announcement, said the funding being provided by the federal government will bring these new honey-based products to Canadians and international markets.
"Innovative projects create opportunities for our farmers and benefit the community by creating jobs," Ritz said.
Island Abbey's success is also music to the ears of honey growers.
Daniel Ficza, past vice-president of the P.E.I. Beekeepers Association and a leading P.E.I. beekeeper, said having a successful honey processor in the province is good for the honey industry.
"They have unique honey products and they are selling them into big markets," said Ficza.
"This is expanding our markets for local honey."
Funding announced Friday will allow the company to quintuple their produce.
Rowe is off to Paris in October where his company is up for international honours for best new product.
His company will represent Canada at the international food show.
"We're one of the nine finalists vying for the Oscar of the food world," said Rowe.
"And I do not use that analogy lightly. I was told this."
Federal investment allows Island Abbey Foods to expand again
John Rowe, founder of Island Abbey Foods, is surrounded by some of his new products including honey candy and honey cough drops. The federal government has given the Island entrepreneur $473,000 to take his honey delights products to international markets
- Published on June 21, 2010
- Published on July 8, 2010
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Wayne Thibodeau
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Comments
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- Gov project
- - July 25, 2011 at 10:51:00
Another example of a welfare government project. Pump a minimum wage company full of tax payer money to keep it alive and hope it maybe works out. Does anyone remember Polar Foods or Fortius??? same story, new company. When will islanders hold the government accountable for handouts and when will this paper actually start investigating some of the spin its told?
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- Investment
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:52:04
great story and I wish them well. I don't even begrudge them receiving government funds. But what is the Investment Is the Government now a shareholder? Or is this a grant? A loan? Or is it like PNP money?
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- Investment
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:50:17
great story and I wish them well. I don't even begrudge them receiving government funds. But what is the Investment Is the Government now a shareholder? Or is this a grant? A loan? Or is it like PNP money?
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- Investment
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:46:48
great story and I wish them well. I don't even begrudge them receiving government funds. But what is the Investment Is the Government now a shareholder? Or is this a grant? A loan? Or is it like PNP money?
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- Investment
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:45:41
great story and I wish them well. I don't even begrudge them receiving government funds. But what is the Investment Is the Government now a shareholder? Or is this a grant? A loan? Or is it like PNP money?
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- Investment
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:44:51
great story and I wish them well. I don't even begrudge them receiving government funds. But what is the Investment Is the Government now a shareholder? Or is this a grant? A loan? Or is it like PNP money?
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- Investment
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:44:22
great story and I wish them well. I don't even begrudge them receiving government funds. But what is the Investment Is the Government now a shareholder? Or is this a grant? A loan? Or is it like PNP money?
