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More growers needed for new pear variety

November 9, 2015, Toronto, Ont – 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. 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’,” said 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,” said Ecker.

More commercial growers are needed in order for this Canadian fruit to be available across the country.