November 28, 2011

Kawartha Lakes CFDC, Lindsay

 When they started back in 1989, Bruce and Sharon VandenBerg's plans called for "...making some cheese, raising a family and having a little retail store."   They have gone from operating a small goat herd to being one of the largest, most highly-regarded manufacturers of award winning goat and specialty cheeses in North America.

“The Kawartha Lakes CFDC is extremely proud to have been along for the ride,” says Manager Andrew Wallen.  Mariposa now employs nearly 60 people at their plant in Lindsay and the farm on Highway #7.

"We met with Community Futures, reviewed our plans with them and they were comfortable with our vision," said Bruce VandenBerg. "Basically, they lent us money on equipment that we still had to build.  We're not sure if any of the traditional institutions would have done that."

“Mariposa is providing jobs to the community--not just within their own operations but by using local companies and design engineers in fabricating new automated equipment," says former KLCFDC Board Chair Mark Knoester.

Photo:  KLCFDC Manager Andrew Wallen with Bruce and Sharon VandenBerg, and KLCFDC Board Chair Mark Knoester, when Mariposa Dairy won Entrepreneur of the Year at the OACFDC’s 2011 conference