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Innovation, Business and Rural Development
August 30, 2012

Newfoundland Chocolate Company Wins
Eat Atlantic Food Product of the Year Award

Following six weeks of online voting by local food lovers across Atlantic Canada, the Newfoundland Chocolate Company is the “people’s choice” for the 2012 Eat Atlantic Food Product of the Year award.

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, attended the awards ceremony and assisted in the presentation of the trophy to the Newfoundland Chocolate Company.

“On behalf of Premier Dunderdale and the entire Provincial Government I would like to congratulate the Newfoundland Chocolate Company on earning the title of Atlantic Canada’s Food Product of the Year Award,” said Minister Hutchings. “The company’s success can be attributed directly to its high level of commitment to delivering quality, creative products to its customers. It is great to see that commitment translate into industry acknowledgement and company success.”

The award is the centrepiece of the Eat Atlantic Challenge, a buy-local campaign organized and sponsored by Co-op Atlantic and the region’s Co-op stores throughout Atlantic Canada since 2008.

“We were again overwhelmed by the response to our competition,” said Paul-Émile Légère, Chief Executive Officer of Co-op Atlantic, noting that more than 6,000 votes were cast for the top 10 finalists. “This shows how passionate Atlantic Canadians are about the world-class products that are produced here in Atlantic Canada. Clearly when it comes to food, nothing beats the taste of home. That’s good for our economy, our environment and our future.”

In addition to the Newfoundland Chocolate Company, contenders for the crown were Covered Bridge Potato Chips, New Brunswick; King Cole Tea, New Brunswick; Oxford Frozen Foods Blueberries, Nova Scotia; Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL) Cheese, Prince Edward Island; Culinary Wines Liquid Seasonings, New Brunswick; Crosby’s Molasses, New Brunswick; Terra Beata Farms Dried Cranberries, Nova Scotia; Scotsburn Dairy Group Hoof Prints Ice Cream, Nova Scotia and Ganong Bros. Chicken Bones, New Brunswick.

“It is an absolute honour to be named a top 10 finalist in the Eat Atlantic Food Product of the Year contest,” said Brent Smith, Chief Chocolate Officer, Newfoundland Chocolate Company. “We are thrilled with the recognition, particularly given the breadth of such quality food producers in the region. We are truly humbled to have come out on top of this contest and our sincere thanks go out to the Newfoundland Co-op stores, our customers and friends for their outstanding show of support for the Newfoundland Chocolate Company and our gourmet artisan chocolates.”

Since 2008, more than 50,000 consumers have visited the www.eatatlantic.ca website to learn about food from the region and participate in challenges where they make pledges to increase their commitment to made-in-Atlantic foods. Co-op developed the campaign to promote the world-class products made right here in Atlantic Canada and encourage buying local in support of our region's producers, our food and beverage industry, our economy and our environment.

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Media contacts:

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
Roméo Cormier
Manager of Public Affairs
Co-op Atlantic
506-858-6242, 381-1412
romeo.cormier@coopatlantic.ca

Brent Smith
Chief Chocolate Officer
Newfoundland Chocolate Company
709-579-0099
 

2012 08 30                                12:25 p.m.

 
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