Contact: Donna Wood, Event Director
Telephone: 905-948-0470 x 231
dwood@divcomevents.com
www.ethnicandspecialtyfood.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 16, 2007)

March 16, 2007 Toronto – Census Canada released its 2006 data this week. Stats Canada reports that Ontario’s population has continued its 15-year growth curve, and has grown again by over 6% since 2001. This is above the 5.4 % national average. Of that 750,000-person increase, almost 600,000 were immigrant newcomers—half the Canadian total. A staggering one-quarter of Canadians—8.1 million people—live in what is now known as the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, and includes Toronto, Hamilton and other communities along Lake Ontario.

“That’s a lot of mouths to feed”, says Donna Wood, Event Director. “It is no surprise that cultural foods which include ethnic, halal and kosher are the fastest growing food segments in Ontario. Following behind the double-digit growth of organic foods, known for their health benefits, these are becoming increasingly more mainstream.” (more)

These specialized segments dovetail perfectly into the strategic focus behind the Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo, including the All Things Organic™ pavilion presented by the Organic Trade Association. Scheduled for September 30 – October 1, at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ont., near Toronto, this event provides manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers of ethnic, specialty and organic food products access to buyers from retail and foodservice operations.

There is pressure on the retail and foodservice buyers to find new products and suppliers to help them respond to this burgeoning growth. Situated in the center of 8.1 million people, the Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo offers this flourishing industry a convenient source for these products, suppliers and education and puts the event in the second largest food industry cluster in North America.

“This is an exceptional business event for an exceptional market,” Wood says. “Toronto is a recognized center of excellence in ethnic and specialty food production, as well as being an engine of the region’s trade growth. We are pleased to have partnered with relevant industry stakeholder groups to ensure an event that will provide lasting economic benefits to all participants.”
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Ethnic & Specialty Food Expo is produced by Diversified Business Communications Canada, a division of Diversified Business Communications. Diversified, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through trade exhibitions, magazine publishing, and online resources on four continents. In addition to this event, other products in Diversified’s specialty food and natural/organic portfolio include Expo Comida Latina, All Asia Food Expo, Kosherfest, and All Things Organic ™. Diversified serves a number of other industries including natural and organic products, complementary and natural health care, seafood, and business management. For more information, visit: www.divbusiness.com

Photos and logos available on request.