A sweet tooth knows no bounds. Even in space.
Reputed to be rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate is purported to have many virtues. Eating a little every day—the operative word being “little”
(addicts beware!)—has real health benefits. According to serious studies, dark chocolate is not only good for the heart, but is also a powerful anti-cancer and anti-depression food.
Saint-Hyacinthe, the perfect location
Banking on the renewed interest in “better for you”
snacks, Brookside Foods, a British Columbia company, whose flagship product is Pure Milk Chocolate Almonds, launched a new dark chocolate and “Super Fruits”
confectionery line in January 2010.
By 2001, the commercial success of Brookside products across Canada prompted the parent company to open a plant in Saint-Hyacinthe. Demand has been growing ever since. The Quebec subsidiary took this opportunity to expand and made the strategic decision to modernize its facilities.
Innovation at the service of sweet teeth
“Needless to say, Aliments Brookside’s project will benefit other Montérégie suppliers. It promises to have a real impact on the Montérégie economy while fostering local employment,”
noted Réal Lafleur.
Brookside Foods needed to innovate to capitalize on the surge of popularity dark chocolate has enjoyed these past few years and launched 3 new items, Dark Chocolate Açai & Blueberry, Pomegranate and Goji.
Brookside’s efforts over the years to secure its growth have paid off. In 2006, the company was awarded the Canadian Grocery Association Grand Prix, New Products Award.
“The funding from Canada Economic Development enabled us to acquire equipment and enlarge our Saint-Hyacinthe plant. Needless to say, Aliments Brookside’s project will benefit other Montérégie suppliers. It promises to have a real impact on the Montérégie economy while fostering local employment,”
noted Réal Lafleur.
Despite the fact that rapidly rising cocoa prices and the high Canadian dollar have made U.S. markets less accessible to Canadian companies, Brookside has been able to maintain its competitiveness. Since it now exports its products to the United States, Mexico, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, there is no doubt but that it will continue to build on its success.
Brookside Foods’ chocolate treats seem to know no bounds: at the request of Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk, Julie Payette, who was joining him in space, brought Brookside chocolates with her.
It is almost certain that the company’s runaway success will continue, because if you can claim having visited space, you can afford to think big!
