July 1, 2001

Dennis & Gail Barker & Dean Harvey, Canadian Organic Sprout Company Inc., Belleville

Nominated by Trenval Business Development Corporation

A profitable business on the leading edge of Functional Food technology, the Canadian Organic Sprout Company Inc. is also rocketing to success in terms of job creation, research and development, nutrition, preservation, and nurturing First Nations entrepreneurs.  Helped by Trenval BDC, the organic sprout producer plans to double its staff of 13 by the end of June and triple its current production capacity by July-August.  The company has developed growing equipment and methodologies, which enable it to produce sprout products with very high nutritional benefits and an extended shelf-life that are totally unique in the industry.  It has a patented drying process which lets the company dry products with no loss of nutrients or enzymes.  It powders the dried sprouts to be used as supplements or ingredients in soups and seasonings.  The company operated on a small scale until summer 2000, when it set up a state of the art production facility in Belleville with financing and support from Trenval Business Development.  As well as its Belleville business, the company is involved with the Thessalon First Nations, setting up a sprouting facility just outside of Thessalon and providing employment for over 40 people.  The company, which has tripled its sprout sales to $850,000, anticipates revenues of up to $4 million and is now guaranteed over $600,000 in sales from A&P alone.