PURE LABRADOR spreads its wings in New England

Forteau company Labrador Preserves has broken into the New England market in a big way. Four gourmet retail food chains in three New England states have agreed to carry the company�s PURE LABRADOR line of bakeapple, partridgeberry and blueberry spreads and syrups. The company was in Boston recently as part of a trade mission led by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD).

On its second, follow-up trip to New England, Labrador Preserves reached agreements with three importer/distributors in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire who will distribute PURE LABRADOR products to the retail stores of Whole Foods Market, Russo�s Quality Fruits and Vegetables, The Brown Jug, and Formaggio Kitchen which will also sell them in their New York City store.

"Labrador Preserves Company has been making impressive gains in the US market over the past several years and we believe the market holds even more potential for the company," said INTRD minister Trevor Taylor. "The export work being done by companies like Labrador Preserves is significant because it helps to create jobs in our rural communities. We are extremely pleased with their success and glad to be able to help facilitate their efforts."

"The business we�ve secured as a result of these missions to New England is a huge success for the company," said Larry Stephan, Labrador Preserves� marketing director for exports. "To break into the upscale, fine food market in New England is very significant for us, as it speaks to the quality and uniqueness of our product. Now that we�ve entered the market, our follow up and promotion of the product will be critical, as we face strong competition from Sweden."

PURE LABRADOR gourmet spreads and syrups are made from exotic, wild, hand-picked bakeapples (cloudberries) and partridgeberries (lingonberries) that can only be found in northern climate regions such as Scandinavia and Newfoundland and Labrador. For information and recipes visit www.preserves.nf.ca

Thirteen local companies and organizations were in Boston this week; 10 of which participated in Oceans 2006 trade show and conference. The companies and organizations also met with other businesses and academic institutions in the Boston and Rhode Island areas. The mission to Boston builds on the work done by Premier Williams and the department over the last several years.

"The feedback we received in Massachusetts and Rhode Island during the trade mission reinforces our belief that real opportunities exist in New England for our companies and institutions," said Minister Taylor. "The capabilities that we have, especially in the field of ocean technology, is really starting to resonate with our counterparts in New England, which will lead to even greater opportunities."

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2006 09 26                                 9:40 a.m.