“Entrepreneur of the Year” Winner
Limestone Organic Creamery
A unique business has earned the title “Entrepreneur of the Year”, an award given out annually by the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations (OACFDC).
Kathie, Francis, Patrick and Olivia Groenewegen are the owners of Limestone Organic Creamery in Elginburg, Ontario, which has become a leader in on-farm retail operation and home delivery service. The owners have successfully created a traditional and professional look to their marketing and packaging that captures the essence of their products – this includes everything from the reusable glass bottle to the porch box to the home delivery vehicle. Their retail store also conveys that same image and they are known for their excellent and friendly service.
These entrepreneurs were chosen from several nominees, all successful businesses that received loans and counseling from CFDCs. The Groenewegens won the prestigious award because of their work in excellent customer-oriented services. Limestone Organic Creamery was nominated by the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation.
“Limestone Organic Creamery has so far, created 10 part-time jobs in our rural area” said Anne Prichard, Executive Director of the Frontenac CFDC. “They have also made their business into a new marketing channel for other producers, creating opportunities to access markets that didn’t exist before they started their retail location and delivery service. Their success has become the whole community’s success. We here at the Frontenac CFDC are proud to have been able to work with them to make it happen.”
Limestone Organic Creamery wholesales their dairy products to approximately 20 retailers in the Kingston/Frontenac area providing them with an opportunity to increase their revenues. After just 3 years in business, demand for the dairy products has outgrown the Groenewegen’s own supply of milk.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ5AQumePLY
Photo (by Samantha Vessios) : Limestone Organic Creamery received the “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award at the recent Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations’ Conference. On hand for the awards ceremonies were Kathie Groenewegen, Limestone Organic Creamery and Anne Prichard of the Frontenac CFDC.
About Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations (OACFDC):
The OACFDC represents 61 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) -37 in southern Ontario and 24 in the north - that offer free business counselling, loans for start-up and expansion of small business, strategic planning on local projects and community economic development in rural areas. CFDCs provide flexible, repayable loans to small and medium sized businesses and are locally managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and funded with federal government support.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Diana Jedig, Executive Director, 519-633-2326
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For more information about Limestone Organic Creamery, contact:
Kathie Groenewegen
Limestone Organic Creamery
Phone: 613-542-0732
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Website: www.limestonecreamery.ca
For more information about the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation, contact:
Anne Prichard, Executive Director
Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation
5062-8 Highway 36, Harrowsmith, ON K0H 1V0
Phone: 613-372-1414
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.frontenaccfdc.com
For more information about the Community Futures program or the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations, contact:
Brenda LaGrandeur, Communications and Professional Development Officer
Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations
300 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas, ON N5P 4L1
Phone: 888-633-2326 ext.125
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.oacfdc.com