P.E.I. Mussel King is launching a new product, Mussels in Minutes, with the help of a sizeable government loan.
Mussels in Minutes are pre-packaged mussels in a microwavable pouch with seasonings inside, producing a ready-to-eat product in three minutes.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is providing $350,000 through its business development program, while the P.E.I. Century Fund is footing another $325,000 to enable the company to start full-scale production of the product. In addition, P.E.I. Mussel Farms is purchasing automated mussel sock fillers to increase productivity and increase production to meet market demand, with $125,000 each from ACOA and the P.E.I. Century Fund.
“In keeping with our company’s focus to develop innovative, value-added products, P.E.I. Mussel King is excited to launch Mussel in Minutes," said P.E.I. Mussel King president, Esther Dockendorff. "This cook-in pouch of live mussels with vegetables offers a meal-in-a-bag solution for consumers who want to enjoy this gourmet treat without any fuss or clean-up.”
P.E.I. Mussel King (1994) Inc. and its subsidiary P.E.I. Mussel Farms Inc. produce, package, and sell P.E.I. mussels to the world. The company was named Trade Team P.E.I.’s 2015 exporter of the year.
"P.E.I. Mussel King is promoting the P.E.I. brand in markets around the world and manages its business in a responsible and sustainable manner," said federal Agriculture Minister and Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay. "I wish them every success with their latest innovative — and delicious — product line.”
P.E.I. Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald said, "P.E.I. Mussel King’s latest product invention speaks volumes to the company’s creativity and innovation, and I congratulate them in their efforts.”
