Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jan 23/02) - Kivalliq Arctic Foods is starting to rack up some impressive numbers in the food products industry.

The company, which falls under the umbrella of the Nunavut Development Corp. (DevCorp), passed the $1-million mark in gross sales last year.

Part of the success can be attributed to the exposure Kivalliq Arctic Foods enjoyed during Team Canada's visit to the United States.

DevCorp president John Hickes accompanied plant manager Brian Schindel on the trip.

With the help of Canadian consulate staff, that trip resulted the featuring of Kivalliq food products on a Los Angeles dinner menu attended by about 600 people.

"It really was quite impressive, with everyone from movie stars and state governors to guys peddling rocks," Hickes said with a laugh. "It was a good mix of people interested in working with Canadian companies."

The Americans were so impressed with the cuisine that there was a nice little surprise waiting on Schindel's desk upon his return to Rankin.

"There was an order waiting for $20,000 worth of Denver Hinds products, which came with a payment cheque. We've already received followup orders, which we hope is a solid indication that our product is a hit in that part of the U.S.A.," he said.

Kivalliq Arctic Foods also has orders from Germany that Schindel hopes to build upon when he travels to Munich next month on another trade mission.

"We've been invited to come along by the Prime Minister's Office, bring our products and put on another dinner like we did in L.A., so that's exactly what we're going to do," Hickes said.

"After the mission to Germany, the next big thing on our agenda will be the annual caribou hunt in Coral Harbour coming up around March. We already have a contract in place with that community and we're looking forward to another successful season."