MONTREAL, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Drink Group Corp. (CSE: PRME) (“Prime” or the “Company”) announces that it has closed a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) of units of the Company (each, a “Unit”) for gross proceeds of $1,810,276.

The Offering consisted of the sale of 1,811 Units at a price of $999.60 per Unit resulting in the issuance of 10,648,680 common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”) and 7,244,000 transferable share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years from the closing date of the Offering. Each Unit was comprised of 5,880 Common Shares and 4,000 Warrants.

“This financing reflects strong investor confidence in our long-term growth strategy as we continue to work on growing our water, beverage, and influencer media activities,” said Alexandre Côté, President and CEO of Prime.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid cash finders’ fees totaling $64,174 to arm’s length finders, representing 6% of the proceeds received by the Company from subscribers to the Offering introduced to the Company by such finders.

The securities underlying the Units issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to resale restrictions, including a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to develop its business and for general working capital purposes.

Alexandre Côté, Garry Turpin and Germain Turpin, each an officer of the Company, purchased an aggregate of 641 Units of the Offering for gross proceeds of $640,744. The participation by such insiders in the Offering constitutes a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). Such transaction is exempt from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements pursuant to the exemptions contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the Units nor the consideration for the Units paid by such interested parties, exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

Board Resignation

Mr. Jean-Denis Côté has resigned as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) to pursue other opportunities. The Board thanks Mr. Côté for his contribution and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

Toronto, Monday, March 24, 2025 – SIAL Canada is proud to announce that Canada has been designated as the Country of Honour for its 2025 edition. This prestigious recognition, developed in collaboration with key institutional partners, goes beyond a title—it is a strategic initiative to position Canada as a global leader in food innovation and trade while fostering innovation, facilitating commerce, and strengthening connections across the global food supply chain.

“At a time when supply chains, sustainability, and global market conditions are rapidly evolving, Canada continues to lead with stability, ingenuity, and world-class standards,” says Tony Melis, CEO of SIAL Canada. “From coast to coast, our agri-food industry stands united—driven by a spirit of innovation, a commitment to excellence, and a deep-rooted passion for feeding the world. Canada’s strength lies not only in what we produce, but in how we innovate. This designation is a powerful opportunity to shine a spotlight on our best-in-class offerings and strengthen trade ties within Canada and key markets—including the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative will provide Canadian businesses with an exceptional platform for growth, visibility, and global impact. Whether you are looking to diversify your markets, or source products from Canada and around the world, having a presence at SIAL Canada is vital.”, adds Mr. Melis.

Canada as the Country of Honour : A Global Showcase for Agri-Food Excellence, Sustainable Innovation, and Commercial Leadership

As the Country of Honour, Canada will take centre stage at SIAL Canada 2025, showcasing homegrown innovations, premium products, and emerging industry trends. The event will feature high-impact panel discussions and expert-led conferences addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the food sector today. Exclusive networking opportunities will connect Canadian exhibitors with international buyers, while enhanced promotional initiatives will maximize exposure and engagement for businesses.

This milestone presents a significant opportunity for Canadian companies at all stages of growth, whether looking to expand internationally or strengthen their presence within Canada. With buyers and investors from across Canada and over 77 countries in attendance, SIAL Canada 2025 will open doors to new export opportunities, solidify key trade partnerships, and elevate the profile of Canadian agri-food innovations. Whether targeting global markets or exploring new domestic opportunities, Canadian businesses of all sizes can leverage this platform to maximize their reach, build strategic connections, and reaffirm Canada’s role as a leader in food quality, transparency, and cutting-edge innovation.

Ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive representation of Canada’s agri-food landscape, this initiative will highlight businesses from coast to coast. Our partners are committed and united in supporting this effort, with industry leaders and government agencies working alongside federal and provincial stakeholders to strengthen Canada’s presence at the show. With SIAL Canada bringing together influential players from both the Canadian and global food industries, the 2025 edition presents a prime opportunity to showcase Canada’s leadership, drive new business opportunities, and shape the future of food.

Join us in Toronto from April 29th to May 1st as we celebrate Canadian innovation and excellence on the world stage. For more information on participation opportunities, contact jpilon@expocanadafrance.com

King Township, Ontario – March 21, 2025 – Haven Greens, a newly-established, fully automated greenhouse facility located in King City, Ontario, proudly announces its first lettuce harvest. This milestone marks the beginning of daily harvesting and year-round availability in Canada, with the facility set to produce approximately 10,000 pounds of lettuce per day, totaling an impressive 3.6 million pounds annually. This achievement reflects Haven Greens’ commitment to reshaping urban agriculture through state-of-the-art technology and eco-conscious practices, all while honouring a 55-year family farming legacy.

New Horizons in Fresh, Sustainable Produce

Just in time for spring, the first production phase will focus on three lettuce blends: baby green leaf, baby red and green leaf mix, and baby spring mix. The first batches of these crisp, flavourful greens will be available at select local grocers’ and farmers' markets in Ontario, with restaurant and culinary partnerships in the works. Eric Highfield, Chief Agricultural Officer, Haven Greens, oversees the greenhouse operations and harvest process, bringing his expertise in integrating advanced greenhouse technology to the team. With year-round availability and daily harvesting, Haven Greens is providing a reliable, sustainable alternative to seasonal field lettuce, reducing food waste, and offering a cost-efficient solution for grocers and food service operators.

“As we introduce Canada’s first fully automated, climate-controlled greenhouse, we’re not just elevating the quality of produce but also ensuring a steady, sustainable food supply for our communities,” said Jay Willmot, CEO and Founder of Haven Greens. “Building on my family’s mission-driven farming legacy, my goal is to establish Haven Greens as more than just a greenhouse—rather, it’s part of a movement towards a greener, healthier future, helping to reshape the fresh produce landscape in North America.”

What Sets Haven Greens Apart?

● Locally Grown, Always Fresh: By growing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Haven Greens significantly reduces reliance on seasonal field lettuce crops, and being central to a North American hub allows for delivery across the Northeast and Midwest.
● Automated, Touchless Technology: The facility’s cutting-edge systems ensure clean, ready-to-eat lettuce—no washing required.
● Sustainability at Its Core: Targeting net-zero operations, the greenhouse minimizes environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.
● Unmatched Quality and Taste: With a crisp texture and exceptional flavour, Haven Greens’ three lettuce blends offer superior salad experiences.
● Giving Back to the Community: To combat food insecurity and reduce waste, Haven Greens will be donating surplus produce to local food banks and community organizations including Second Harvest and the Daily Bread Food Bank, ensuring fresh, nutritious greens reach those in need.

The veggie burger made its debut in 1982. Since then, there has been a race to invent a creative, delicious alternative to meat. Today, meat alternatives flood grocery stores and appear on fast-food restaurant menus. So, is meat consumption in decline?

The numbers all point to a clear answer: no. In fact, meat consumption is on the rise.

There is a growing appetite for plant-based alternatives. Yet, the global appetite for meat as a primary protein source persists. According to Statista, the global volume of meat sold was 155.5 billion kg in 2023. Experts predict it will increase to 184.4 billion kg in 2029.

This sustained demand necessitates a paradigm shift in protein production. One that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability and innovation. To meet this challenge, the protein industry is embracing advanced technological solutions. Product lifecycle management (PLM) systems are at the forefront.

Unified connection

PLM solutions are transforming fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, including food and beverage. By managing end-to-end workflows, PLM systems establish a single source of truth. These workflows drive efficiency and accuracy. Digital transformation offers profound benefits to the protein industry. The industry encompasses meat, poultry, meat substitutes and processed meat products.

A core advantage of PLM is its ability to dismantle departmental silos. PLM streamlines workflows and fosters seamless collaboration. This technology unites research and development (R&D), procurement, compliance, legal, packaging and supplier interactions in one digital platform. This unified approach speeds up time to market. It also cuts down on transcription errors from extra data entry. Plus, it ensures packaging and labeling are accurate. PLM automates routine tasks. This allows protein producers to focus on innovation and strategic growth.

Leading producers are seeing the benefits of PLM. Ms. Fan Hongbo, Head of R&D at Dachan Food, states:

“We believe that digital transformation is the ideal path for a top-tier company. While the digitalization of R&D project management may not have started as early as some of our other digital initiatives, we view it as a strong move for creating a second growth curve and boosting product competitiveness.”

From farm to fork

The protein industry, particularly meat production, presents unique complexities. Meat production starts with live animals. Live animals introduce factors like nutrition, health and living conditions. These all affect product quality and sustainability. PLM solutions offer clear transparency and traceability from farm to fork.

Detailed traceability is paramount. PLM systems track every step in production. They start from the source of animal or plant-based proteins and go all the way to the final product. Transparency is vital. Building consumer trust and managing foodborne illness recalls are essential for public health.
Sustainability and ethical sourcing are increasingly critical. PLM monitors environmental impact. This includes tracking water use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste management. The technology makes it easier to conduct audits and obtain certifications for ethical sourcing. This covers areas like animal welfare and fair labor standards. Consumers are becoming more aware of sustainable and ethical practices.

PLM enables the tracking and management of various certifications. These certifications include organic, grass-fed and free-range. Automated notifications ensure timely renewal and maintenance of compliance. PLM facilitates the management of complex vendor contracts. It includes detailed requirements for livestock and feed components. Advanced features like machine learning and AI-powered algorithms assist in optimization.

PLM offers several specific advantages for protein producers. Defining, standardizing and automating process flows cuts delays. Companies can share information rapidly between departments. As a result, PLM boosts operational efficiency and reduces bottlenecks.

Regulatory compliance

As regulations grow tighter, especially around ESG standards, PLM offers detailed regulatory information. It connects with specialized databases to meet both domestic and international rules. PLM systems gather and examine data from different sources like market intelligence or pricing solutions, providing insights into production trends, consumer preferences and market demand. This information allows for more accurate forecasting and planning. It also optimizes inventory management and cuts down on waste.

Predictive analytics capabilities anticipate issues before they arise, alerting managers. PLM integrates with quality control systems and regulatory platforms like FoodChain ID, which tracks and manages quality control data and shifting regulations from 220 countries.

Vendor portals within PLM facilitate supplier collaboration, performance evaluation and risk management. These portals allow for supplier audits. Protein producers can seamlessly meet quality and safety standards. Communication becomes streamlined.

Innovation and the value add

To enhance profitability, protein producers are increasingly focusing on value-added products. PLM supports innovation by providing visual tools for assortment planning and analysis. In the plant-based protein sector, PLM handles the challenges of creating products. This includes sourcing ingredients, managing allergens and ensuring proper nutritional labeling. It also supports companies in keeping up with the rapid product development cycle. PLM handles complex recipes and processes in processed meat. This ensures that the product is always safe and of high quality.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are transforming PLM. New technology allows for automation, predictive analytics and smart decision-making. This includes AI-driven quality control, automated compliance with regulations and tailored product development.