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Sometimes, all it takes is 30 minutes to learn the ins and outs of new food technologies and trends that are transforming the food and beverage industry. In this series, we’ll dig into a food innovation topic and link you to the best content and resources so you can become a master on the topic in 30 minutes (or less!).
This week, we’re looking at food and beverage innovation and resources in the Prairie provinces.
The Overview
Government of Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Value
Saskatchewan is home to more than 40 per cent of Canada’s cultivated farmland.
Food & Beverage Manitoba – Supporting Manitoba’s Largest Industry
Food & Beverage Manitoba is an industry-led association dedicated to promoting Manitoba’s vibrant food and beverage industry.
Invest Alberta – Growing the Future of Food
Alberta is expanding its agricultural sector through innovation, technology and the development of new bio-based products.
Food in Canada – Cell-Ag Institute Launching in Alberta University
The University of Alberta and New Harvest Canada are developing the Institute of Cellular Agriculture in conjunction with Cult Food Science.
Resources
Ag-West Bio
Saskatoon, SK-based Ag-West Bio is a not-for-profit, membership-based company that supports businesses bringing research to market. It focuses on areas such as biological applications in nutrition and agriculture.
Alberta Food Processors Association
AFPA is a non-profit organization representing all segments of the $15-billion food and beverage industry including growers, processors, retailers, foodservice buyers and suppliers.
Centre for Culinary Innovation at Northern Alberta Institute for Technology
NAIT's Centre for Culinary Innovation in Edmonton, AB has expertise in new food and beverage product development that combines culinary creativity with food science principles.EMILI
Winnipeg, MB-based EMILI (Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative) works with industry organizations and academic institutions from across the technology sector to increase integration of intelligent technologies, empower people with digital skills, support scale-ups to grow in the Prairies, and accelerate Canada’s growth as a leader in digital agriculture.
Platform Calgary
Platform Calgary is a non-profit, member-based organization with a mandate to bring together the resources of Calgary’s tech ecosystem to help startups launch and grow, from ideation through to scale.
Prairie Research Kitchen
The centre, located in the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, supports food processors and foodservice businesses through R&D, technical services and training, with a unique approach that blends food science with culinary skills.
Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research
The Winnipeg, MB-based centre partners with the food and agri-food industries on collaborative research and pre-commercial development activities.
Venturepark Labs
Calgary, AB’s Venturepark Labs is a non-profit organization supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in the food and wellness industries. It is part of Venturepark, a business growth ecosystem in Calgary, AB.
Companies you Should Know
BetterCart Analytics
Saskatoon, SK-based BetterCart Analytics is an AI-driven competitive pricing intelligence solution for local and regional grocery chains and CPG brands.
Earthware Reusables
Earthware Reusables is a return-for-reuse takeout container service located in Calgary, AB. Since launching in November 2021 the company has stopped approximately 15,000 single-use takeout containers from going into landfills.
Nutrimeals
Calgary’s Nutrimeals offers healthy, ready-to-eat meals incorporating personalized nutrition and fitness requirements and delivers them to customers through a monthly subscription service.
TheoryMesh
Winnipeg, MB’s TheoryMesh helps farmers and food companies improve food safety and sustainability through traceable and transparent, fully optimized supply chains.
Overtime
If you’ve got more than 30 minutes, these are for you:
YODL - AI and the Food Industry – An interview with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII)
CFIN’s Chief Technology Officer Nestor Gomez spoke with Russ Erickson, vice president of Investment and Partnerships at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII), to discuss how innovative businesses are using artificial intelligence to optimize and scale their endeavors.
