MAPAQ awards Cintech a $640,000 grant to support Quebec companies
CINTECH AGROALIMENTAIRE HAS BEEN AWARDED A $640,000 GRANT BY THE MINISTÈRE DE L’AGRICULTURE, DES PÊCHERIES ET DE L’ALIMENTATION (MAPAQ) AS PART OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE PURCHASE OF QUÉBEC FOODS. THIS GRANT WILL ENABLE CINTECH TO HELP QUEBEC AGRI-FOOD COMPANIES INCREASE THEIR PREPARATION AND MARKETING OF THEIR PRODUCTS IN QUEBEC’S PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT (HEALTH, EDUCATION, TRANSPORT, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND THE WORKPLACE).
Support for 30 Quebec agri-food companies
The purchase of Québec foods by the institutional sector is a priority for the Québec government. To access this market, companies must meet the criteria set by nutritionists, managers and buyers, as well as the expectations of users.
On February 3, Sonia Lebel, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, announced Bill 12, as part of the government’s strategy for purchasing in Québec. Among other things, this bill aims to promote Québec and responsible purchasing by public organizations, strengthen the business integrity regime and increase the powers of the Autorité des marchés publics.
In the wake of this announcement, Cintech’s specific, structured support is essential. Thanks to funding from the Quebec government, Cintech agroalimentaire will offer theoretical and practical support to two cohorts of 15 targeted agri-food companies looking to break into the institutional market. The first will start in 2022 and the second in 2023.
“Since I took office, I’ve made buying local food a priority. With the Stratégie nationale d’achat d’aliments québécois, we’re transforming our public establishments into veritable showcases for local food. It’s great news that Cintech agroalimentaire will be supporting Quebec agricultural businesses in adapting their products and marketing approaches to the institutional market. This project will not only contribute to the growth of the Quebec bio-food sector, but will also stimulate and strengthen the Quebec economy. Consumers, for their part, will be able to enjoy food produced with a concern for quality and to the highest standards. This project is part of a major shift towards local consumption, for the benefit of all.
André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
“The government’s support will enable us to help even more Quebec companies market their products in institutional settings. In this way, we’ll be helping to increase the share of Québec products on public markets, thereby increasing food self-sufficiency with a view to meeting the food needs of Quebecers and maintaining a more diversified supply. This opportunity to provide support to 30 Quebec agri-food companies is perfectly in line with our desire to offer our expertise and technological support to Quebec agri-food companies seeking to improve their performance.”
Mr. Jean Lacroix, President and CEO, Cintech agroalimentaire
A three-stage support service
In concrete terms, Cintech agroalimentaire’s support service will be offered in three stages. Firstly, a theoretical training session on the institutional market will be given to each cohort in order to paint a picture of the modus operandi. Next, companies will benefit from a bank of 40 hours of personalized coaching to analyze and identify high-potential projects, followed by a bank of 125 hours to support the development process (recipe development, sensory testing, validation with targeted consumers, support for plant transfer, technical-economic study).
