A southern Ontario cheesemaker billed as Canada’s biggest ricotta producer has picked up public funding to renovate its packaging and production space.
Silani Sweet Cheese, based in Simcoe County at Schomberg, about 40 km north of Toronto, will get $843,900 from the province’s Rural Economic Development program for the renovation work.
Upgrading its production and packaging areas is expected to allow the company to “increase productivity, expand their business and shrink their environmental footprint” and “meet the growing demand for its products.”
The renovation is also expected to help create up to 35 new jobs at the Silani plant, and also to “support local farmers and strengthen the Simcoe County region,” the province said.
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“Having the provincial support to implement new technologies aimed at improving efficiencies and lowering production costs has been key in our continued success,” company vice-president Ishwar Saxena said in the province’s release Friday.
“With the province on board, Silani is able to remain viable as a smaller player in a competitive market.”
Silani has operated at Schomberg since 1954 and now produces cheeses for the grocery and deli markets across Canada. It also says it’s acknowledged in the dairy industry to be the first cheesemaker in Canada to produce mozzarella and ricotta.
Silani on its website also notes its current status as the producer of more ricotta than any other cheesemaker in Canada.
The company also recently launched an “Omega 3” line of cheeses including mozzarella, ricotta, provolone and grated parmesan.
