Beyond the Headlines – Quinte Custom Foods | InQuinte.ca
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Beyond the Headlines – Quinte Custom Foods

By Paul Martin Nov 12, 2026 | 9:57 AM

The sweet taste of success was on full display in Quinte on Monday.

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Sam Oosterhoff was at Quinte Custom Foods in Trenton with Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp to announce a combined 467-thousand dollar federal-provincial investments in three local companies to help them with their production and expansion plans.

Quinte Custom Foods, Sprague Foods in Belleville, and Wild Lot Farm Distillery in Prince Edward County are all amazing producers and packagers of local agri-food products for sale throughout Canada and around the world.

As I was buying some regional coffee and (of course) a dozen Rachel’s Tarts (at a ridiculously low price I may add) from the Outlet Store at Quinte Custom Foods, I was struck not only by the amazing plant and store at the side of the building on Douglas Road, but also by what a huge difference they are making.

When the former Nestle Plant closed in 2022, it was a huge blow to the local economy.

When Ed Lamers and Ewart McLaughlin announced they were buying the plant and putting people back to work the very next month, it was a lifeline for the community.

Now, they employ more than 100 people making ready to eat sauces, frozen foods and of course Rachel’s Tarts, with expansion plans underway to increase to around 150 workers by the end of next year.

While the province is investing 290-thousand dollars in the Trenton Plant, the company is putting in three times that much – $870,000. It’s just the latest example of the faith they have in Quinte West as the best place to do business.

I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.