ICYMI

  • April 1, 2019

In last month’s ICYMI, we told you about the local winners of the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition awards, but somehow missed one of Matos Winery’s awards. They also received a Gold award for their PEI Apple Brandy. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Maritime Marzipan, winners of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business Growth award. Jessica and Mike Fritz started their business in late 2017 and have continued to expand their chocolate and almond treats since. Jessica is a frequent contributor to our pages (we’re not sure when she finds time, but she does!), and we are pleased to offer our congratulations to them, along with the other award winners.

Mike and Jessica Fritz receive their Emerging Business Growth Award from Michelle Burge, MRSB      submitted photo

Mary Robinson was elected as President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, stepping in as the first female President in the organization’s 84-year history. She was previously the President of the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture, as well as the Chair of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. She has been a force in farm politics for many years and an exceptional leader whose collaboration skills are highly recognized amongst the agricultural stakeholder community.

In a press release, Robinson said, “I am looking forward to engaging key stakeholder and political decision makers on why the agri-food sector is the leading economic engine of Canada. It’s critical that investments in agriculture is a priority for the Canadian government. Investments in rural Canada and agriculture benefit not only rural Canada but the nation as a whole.”

Farmers Justin and Laura Rogers, owners of Picturesque Farms in Brae, PEI were named Atlantic’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2019. Their 7th-generation farm maintains a diverse business model by producing beef, seed grain, commercial grain and soybeans along with corn and forage crops on their 500+ acre farm.

Justin began his farming career when he purchased a calf at the age of eight, his first tractor at 13, and 50% of the 6th-generation family farm from his uncle at the age of 21 which was the start of his seed potato business. While attending college Justin met Laura, they married in 2004, and purchased the remaining 50% of the family farm from his parents.

Laura and Justin Rogers with their family  submitted photo

Celebrating 39 years, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture.
Kyle & Bryan Maynard, brothers who own Farmboys Inc, from Tyne Valley, PEI were the other finalists in the regional event. Participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen in the late fall each year.

A cabinet shuffle in early March resulted in a new Minister of Agriculture as Islander MP Lawrence MacAulay moved to the Veterans Affairs portfolio. The new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, is an MP from Quebec, and she states on her website, “I have tremendous respect for the people who work the land and who put their passion and authenticity in the products we consume. I know that the challenges facing the agriculture and agri-food sector are complex. But I also know that I will be able to count on the wise counsel of my predecessor, Minister Lawrence MacAulay for whom I have deep respect. The challenge is great but I am ready for it!”

Congratulations to Copper Bottom Brewing for winning a first place medal in the Porter & Stout category for their brew ‘Ken’s Stout’ at the Down East Brewing Awards in Fredericton.

Kudos to Moyna Matheson, the owner of Samuel’s Coffee, who announced the Brewing for Better Balance Fund for women in business on International Women’s Day. Meant to encourage other women to start their own businesses, the fund grew from her initial $500 to over $3000 with anonymous donors contributing along with the provincial government. She hopes to announce the recipients of the fund in April.

In good news, DME Brewing announced that it has re-opened its Charlottetown-based manufacturing facility under new ownership. Placed in receivership in November 2018, the organization has been purchased by CIMC Enric Tank & Process BV, a subsidiary of CIMC ENRIC Holdings Ltd.
“We are very excited to be a part of this prestigious international group of companies,” says Marc de Jong, Managing Director of the new DME Process Systems Ltd. “Their innovation, market presence, manufacturing locations and experience will further strengthen our already globally recognized brands.”

de Jong added that many DME employees have already returned to work in Charlottetown, and that the facility is already once again fully operational.
“The DME Group brings us an experienced team as well as a great customer base, which allows us to further increase our presence in North America,” says CEO of CETP, Ko Brink.

DME Process Systems Ltd will continue to manufacture both the DME and NSI brands out of the Charlottetown location. While it is a new entity, they will work with previously installed DME and NSI breweries for any parts, service or expansion needs.

Winners were recently announced in the annual PEI Women’s Institute Youth Island Product Cooking contest. Congratulations to the following young chefs who received cash prizes:
Appetizers—1st place, Blake Hamill with Mussels, 2nd place, Cole Sinclair, Kate DesRoches, and Shelby Power with Mushroom Cups
Soup—1st place, Olivia Lewis with Parsnip, Carrots & Maple Soup
Main—1st place, Breahanna Callaghan with Island Bacon Meatballs, 2nd place, Codie Palmer and Macelynn McGill with Creamy Italiano Chicken & Pesto;
Sweets—1st place, Alyssa Millar, Chloe MacCormack, and Lance Cadag with Mayo-Banana-Blueberry Muffins.

After 30 years, the Landmark Cafe in Victoria has changed ownership. Eugene Savoie passed the torch to the new owners, Greg and Marly Anderson in mid-March. It will now be known as Landmark Oyster House. The Andersons also own The Grand Victorian, an event venue in Victoria.

Correction note: Thanks to our eagle-eyed readers who pointed out an error in last month’s cannabutter article. In the THC calculation portion, we printed that 1 Tbsp=28g cannabutter, when it should have been 14g of cannabutter.

About Cheryl Young

A “Jill of all trades” describes Cheryl to a T. From operating her own handyperson company, to selling luxury cars, to working as a film and TV crew member, her resume is diverse. But her dream as a kid was to be a journalist and she started down that path many years ago at CBC Charlottetown. Returning to her journalism roots, she’s excited to be editing Salty’s content and occasionally writing herself.

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