TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - After more than 30 years in development, Canada finally has its own indigenous pear variety. Cold Snap pears can be taste tested at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this week. Bred in Ontario by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Cold Snap pear was prominently displayed at the Fair's opening ceremony November 6 with fresh samples and delicious cheese and pear appetizers.
"We call Cold Snap pears 'Winter's Favourite Fruit'," says Matthew Ecker, sales and business development manager for the Vineland Growers' Co-operative Ltd. "Cold Snap pears can be stored longer, which makes them available to Canadian consumers throughout the winter."
The sweet tasting large pear is currently in production in Ontario and in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, with plans to have growers producing it in British Columbia in the future.
"2015 is our first commercial harvest and we hope to double production every year for the next five years," continues Ecker. More commercial growers are needed in order for this Canadian fruit to be available across the country. The thousands of visitors to the Fair can try the pear at the Vineland Growers' booth.
The Royal is supported in part by the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.
SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Image with caption: "Cold snap pears (CNW Group/Royal Agricultural Winter Fair)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151107_C4026_PHOTO_EN_539426.jpg
please contact: Karen Poncelet, Marketing Communications and Community Relations Mgr, 39 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Direct: 416-263-3411, Fax: 416-263-3488
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