Province Commits $5 million for Secondary Processing

Premier Dwight Ball and Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, announced $5 million in Provincial Government funding to help establish a proposed $25-million secondary processing dairy facility in Deer Lake. The initiative will support economic growth in the dairy sector and enhance food self-sufficiency in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Real Dairy Company of Newfoundland Ltd. – a new company consisting of 13 Newfoundland and Labrador dairy farmers and partner Glenstal Foods Limited of Limerick, Ireland – is proposing to establish a facility that will process milk into salted butter and skim milk powder, with potential to eventually expand into cultured products such as cream cheese, sour cream, and yogurt.

Provincial Government funding for this project was identified to support employment in rural communities and help open new markets and products for renewable resource-based businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Along with Provincial Government and private investment, the proponent is also seeking Federal Government funding to support this initiative, expected to employ eight to 10 people.