Christmas Maple Syrup: A New Can to Help Kids

LONGUEUIL, QC, Nov. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - For the fourth year in a row, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (FPAQ), in cooperation with IGA and Les Sucreries Beaurivage, is joining forces with the Sainte Justine Hospital Foundation to light up the holidays. For the occasion, the familiar maple syrup can will be decked out in a festive Christmas label and distributed exclusively in Quebec's IGA and IGA extra grocery stores, from November 6 to December 31, 2009 only. For each purchase of a Christmas can, $1 will be donated to the Sainte Justine Hospital Foundation, up to a maximum of $15,000. These funds will help Sainte Justine Hospital continue to provide Quebec children and mothers with some of the best care in the world. Including this year's donation, maple producers and their partners will have given $81,600 since 2006.

This year, two different cans will be on the shelves. Light maple syrup will bear a blue label (10,000 of these labels will be released). And behind the pink label will be enough cans to leave up to 40,000 medium syrup lovers tickled pink.

The drawing on this special Christmas edition was created by Jade Brien, the grand prize winner of the FPAQ's 2008 Christmas Contest, whose theme was "Draw a Christmas Party in the Maple Grove." At the time, Jade was an 11-year-old sixth-grade student living in the town of Béthanie in Montérégie. She said she was very surprised, but thrilled nonetheless, to learn she had won. She and her family now own brand-new bikes thanks to the $1,500 gift certificate she received.

The more the merrier!

Maple syrup finds its rightful place in the Christmas tradition this year with a new booklet of recipes created specifically for the holiday season. And for the first time ever, the maple syrup producers are offering a gift along with this booklet: a French Christmas tale titled The Secret of the Old Sugar Maple (Le secret du vieil érable à sucre).

The 2009 Christmas booklet is being distributed across Quebec in one million copies. It is structured like an Advent calendar, offering ten elegant recipes that are sure to please friends and family gathered to share a festive meal: Maple Duck Prosciutto, Dried Fruit and Vegetable Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, Maple-Almond Truffles and Maple-Citrus Vodka with Rosemary are just a few of the enticing preparations. Right inside the recipe booklet is a mini booklet starring Siropcool that is full of easy, kid-friendly recipes, including a "Hold on to Your Hat" Ketchup with Cranberries and Maple Syrup that can be presented as a gift to guests.

About the FPAQ

Founded in 1966, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers was created to defend and promote the economic, social and moral interests of the 7,400 maple businesses that form its membership. It represents men and women who are working together to collectively market their products. The quality of their work and products has made Quebec the producer of 80% of the world's maple syrup.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Johannie Coiteux, Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, [phone] ext. 8609, [email protected]