Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Supporting Artisan Cheese Maker In Northumberland

Empire Cheese and Butter Co-op is making environmental upgrades at its facility to exceed current standards and protect the province's drinking water.

Provincial support is helping this local cheese manufacturing plant purchase a 45,000 litre holding tank for wastewater and an aerator for odour control. Empire Cheese will contain the wastewater in the winter and apply the nutrient-rich waste to agricultural land during other seasons.

"The McGuinty government is dedicated to supporting locally grown and produced food and protecting the environment. Projects such as this support our government’s commitment to healthy and economically strong rural communities."  
- Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland – Quinte West

"Having the provincial support to improve our wastewater management process has been essential. With this investment, we can focus our energies on making quality local cheeses, knowing we’ve effectively and efficiently reduced our environmental impact."
- Jack Oliver, General Manager, Empire Cheese

1. The government is providing $187,000 for this rural economic development initiative.
2. Originally established by a group of farmers in 1870, Empire Cheese has grown to employ over 22 people. It has received several prestigious awards for cheese making, most recently the Gold Award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Find out more about the Rural Economic Development Program.

Read about Empire Cheese and Butter Co-operative.