Fresh herb 
producers Les Herbes Gourmandes (Serres Coulombe) of Saint-Norbert, Quebec received $11.7 million in non-dilutive financing from BDC and Farm Credit Canada (FCC). The company will use these funds in particular to diversify its product offering and significantly increase its production capacity. Since 2014, Les Herbes Gourmandes has become a real leader in the growing market for fresh herbs in conventional and organic cultivation.
Under the innovative leadership of the president and co-founder of Herbes Gourmandes, Charles Verdy, the company will use these funds specifically to build 14 new greenhouses that will double its production area to two hectares. This investment responds to the increased demand for fresh herbs in Quebec and outside the province, particularly from existing customers such as Metro, Loblaws and Sobeys. It is also part of an ambitious vision of longer-term expansion. Les Herbes Gourmandes chose to do business with BDC and FCC mainly because of the flexibility of the financing offered and the relationship they have had with them for the past seven years.
“It is with immense pride that our team of more than 40 employees, through this investment, contributes to the objectives of food autonomy of Quebec society by producing potted herbs of the highest quality using eco-responsible cultivation methods,” said Charles Verdy, President, Les Herbes Gourmandes. “It is also in a spirit of partnership with BDC and FCC over the past seven years that we have ensured the growth of our company and that of an entire evolving industry. My team and I are filled with enthusiasm and excitement to initiate this new phase constituting an important step in order to meet the growing demand for our greenhouse products.”
The transactions were led by Paul Béland of FCC, Guy Bénard of BDC as well as Mark Ohannessian of BDC Capital in Laval. “Consumer preferences are evolving. Les Herbes Gourmandes is uniquely positioned to respond to the growing interest in fresh food products that are grown locally,” explained Mr. Ohannessian. “This funding will allow them to implement their ambitious growth strategy to supply a growing number of customers with a wider range of products.”
“FCC is proud to support an innovative company like Les Herbes Gourmandes which values inputs from Canadian agriculture and which is initiating an important shift to meet consumer demand for fresh local herbs,” said Paul Béland, Senior Relationship Manager at FCC. “The current situation reminds us of the crucial role our agricultural producers and food processors play in feeding Canadians and the world every day.”
For more information: herbesgourmandes.com