The Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) delegation hosted a Taste of Atlantic Canada Showcase and Reception last night for key food buyers and distributors in Boston, Massachusetts. The reception was held as part of the larger Team Canada Atlantic trade mission taking place in Boston from November 4 � 8.

The Taste of Atlantic Canada Showcase and Reception continues to be a key draw for U.S. participants and a highly successful event for the TCA trade missions. The reception provides mission participants with an opportunity to network with representatives from local businesses and industry associations, and with government officials. More than 300 people from the greater Boston area attended the Taste of Atlantic Canada event.

"The Government of Canada is working with Atlantic Canadian companies to increase their export capabilities," said Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "The Taste of Atlantic Canada event is the perfect venue to introduce some of Atlantic Canada�s agrifood and seafood suppliers to a key audience of buyers and distributors."

"When potential customers get a chance to see and taste our food products, the quality speaks for itself," said Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. "I have no doubt that this trade mission will lead to new food export opportunities in this important market."

"Taste of Atlantic Canada offers Newfoundland and Labrador-based companies in the food and beverage sector a considerable opportunity to showcase the variety and quality of the province�s products," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "New England is a key export market for the province and events of this nature serve as a valuable forum to continue developing relationships with buyers."

Chefs Kimball Bernard and Allan E. Williams from the world-renowned Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown created and prepared a menu using products from Atlantic Canadian companies participating in the trade mission. The Atlantic Canadian-inspired menu included items such as Lobster Salad on Mini Pitas, Newfoundland Fish Cakes with Spiced Aioli, Maple Herb Atlantic Salmon and Cloudberry, as well as Lingonberry and Blueberry Cheesecakes.

Companies from Newfoundland and Labrador participating in the Taste of Atlantic Canada event include Labrador Preserves (South River) and Neptune Sea Products Ltd. (St. John�s).

Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the four Atlantic Provinces. It is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.

Thirteen previous TCA trade missions � to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago and Florida � have helped close to 500 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with 3,380 agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales in excess of $41 million.

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