Apple Valley Foods Inc.
For Apple Valley Foods Inc. - one of the largest pie producers in Canada - nothing beats the flavour of Nova Scotia. The Kentville-based manufacturer of fruit and cream pies is sharing that passion with markets across North America.
Within Canada, Apple Valley Foods' customers include Safeway, Sobeys, Co-op Atlantic and Wal-Mart. In the USA, the company distributes products through its majority partner, Harlan Bakeries, Inc. of Indiana.
Apple Valley Foods president Jeff Sarsfield says the family business, established in 2000, is enthusiastic about its continued growth this year and going forward. He's grateful for the support offered through the provincial government's Industrial Expansion Fund.
"It allows us to further grow the business where otherwise credit is so tight that we wouldn't be able to," he says. "It's extremely difficult or impossible for our size of business to obtain the credit that we require by ourselves. The fund gives us the additional support that we need."
Apple Valley Foods, which employs from 110-175 depending on season, also supports the local economy. All the apples in its top-selling apple pies are from the Annapolis Valley, blueberry pies boast wild Nova Scotia berries and pastry is made with Nova Scotia milled flour. Many other local suppliers also contribute to the company's success.
Apple seeds:- The company's no-sugar-added pies have won awards at the American Pie Council/Crisco® National Pie Championships.
- Canada and the US agree on their favourite Apple Valley Foods pie: Apple. Seconds? Pumpkin here and cherry south of the border.
February 17, 2009
