Pride Pak Canada to open fruit and vegetable processing facility in New York by 2016

Pride Pak Canada Ltd has commenced work on its new 68,000ft² facility, located on 13 acres in the Medina Business Park in Orleans County, New York, US.

Construction of the facility is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2016, and processing operation is likely to commence in June 2016.

Pride Pak, a leading fresh fruit and vegetable processor in Canada, is investing over $20m to construct the facility and install machinery and equipment in Orleans County in order to better cater to US customers.

New York Governor Andrew Mark Cuomo said: "This company will not only bring new jobs to the regions, but will also bolster local farmers and help attract other businesses to the area by being the anchor to this new commerce hub."

Pride Pak CEO Steve Karr said: "Pride Pak is very much looking forward to this collaboration with Orleans County.

"This is a mutually beneficial opportunity; Pride Pak is expanding its business and moving closer to its customer base, while Orleans County can count on a positive impact on its economy."

Currently, the Ontario-based company exports 35% of its produce to the US. It packs fresh-cut vegetables for other firms, including Wegmans Food Market.

Once the facility becomes operational, the company intends to source carrots and other root vegetables from local farmers. Some of the package salads from this facility will also be exported to the company’s Canadian customers.

The firm expects about 45 truckloads of products every month, and intends to deliver around 220t of vegetable waste a month to local livestock farms, which could be used as animal feed and fertiliser.

The state of New York, through Empire State Development, has offered up to $2m in Excelsior tax credits.

Pride Pak claimed that it chosen New York to open the facility due to economic support and assistance from state agencies.

The New York Power Authority is also offering low-cost hydropower to Pride Pak in exchange for commitments on jobs and capital investments.

The company is also securing a $750,000 grant from New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal.