Oxford Frozen Foods to Expand

Oxford Frozen Foods is expanding its plant. The $8.4-million project includes the construction of a new freezer facility and the creation of 50 jobs.

Oxford Frozen Foods processes blueberries and carrots, which require large areas of storage. The new cold-storage freezer, with a capacity of 30 million pounds (13.5 million kilograms), will enable the company to increase capacity for the processing and storage of additional produce at the plant and, consequently, expand production.

Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, announced today the company will receive a $5.1-million loan from the province to assist with the construction.

"This expansion is good news for the Cumberland economy," said Mr. MacDonald, in Cumberland County for a news conference to announce the assistance. "The loan will help the company remain competitive, provide 50 direct jobs and another 100 jobs in economic spin-off activity for local farmers, harvesters and truckers. We're investing in Nova Scotia exports."

Federal government funding for the project was announced by Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The agency is providing Oxford Frozen Foods with a $1-million interest-free loan under the Business Development Program.

"The federal government is very pleased to support Oxford Frozen Foods," said Senator Graham. "This company is a major exporter of Nova Scotia products, a significant employer in the region, and a key player in the growth of Nova Scotia's economy."

John Bragg, president of Oxford Frozen Foods, said the expansion is building upon the trade growth his company began 30 years ago. "Production growth has been continuous," said Mr. Bragg. "When the company was founded in 1968, we had a freezer storage capacity of two million pounds. Today, that capacity has grown to 100 million."

Oxford Frozen Foods was founded to process and freeze wild blueberries from the Bragg lumber lands. Today, the food processor exports seasonal produce to 14 countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and Britain.

During peak employment seasons, Oxford Frozen Foods employs 650 people in its Nova Scotia factories, and several hundred more in related activities.