Greenbelt sponsors maple sugar project

The Greenbelt Fund is investing $50,000 in Auvergne Farms Ltd., owned by Bob Jakeman of Jakeman’s Maple Farms, to help pay for equipment to make maple sugar.

Jakeman says he aims to be selling $2 million worth of maple sugar products by 2016 to wholesalers, foodservice companies and health food stores.

Jakeman’s is Ontario’s largest maple syrup processor and international marketer.

“Providing Ontarians with a natural product processed without additives is a benefit to both producers, who gain access to a larger market, and to consumers who will have the opportunity to sweeten their coffee with a local alternative,” said Burkhard Mausberg, chief executive officer of the Greenbelt Fund.