A new network that will stimulate connections, collaborations, innovation and investments across Canada’s food ecosystem has been established. As Canada’s new gateway to food innovation, the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) will be launching a series of programs and services this fall, that will bring together key players in the Canadian food industry to accelerate new product development and technology adoption in Canada.
CFIN received support from the Government of Canada through the Strategic Innovation Fund and additional investments from industry.
“Our government is proud to support the agri-food industry as it constantly transforms and improves to meet the challenges of the 21st century. CFIN will foster collaboration to help accelerate innovation and the adoption of new technologies, which will have a real impact on Canadians’ everyday lives while helping to create well-paying jobs from coast to coast to coast.”
- The Honourable François Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing sector is the largest employer in Canada’s manufacturing industry, accounting for 281,000 jobs across the country. It is also Canada’s largest manufacturing sector in terms of sales, with $122.9 billion in goods sold in 2020.
“Science and innovation play an important role in keeping Canada’s value-added food industry strong and competitive. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians work in the food and beverage industry across the country and we support CFIN as it equips industry with tools and expertise to drive innovation, economic growth, sector resiliency and job creation.”
- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
CFIN is a pan-Canadian initiative that will make it easier for Canadian-based organizations of all sizes to:
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DISCOVER trends, insights, innovation best practices and profitable connections
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INNOVATE collaboratively with the support of innovation directors, senior mentors, technical resources, working groups and funding
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GROW with like-minded business-to-business customers, suppliers, technology companies, researchers and investors
“Our goal is to improve connectivity and collaboration across Canada’s food industry and beyond to drive effective innovation that will support technology adoption, investment and scale-up to build more value-added Canadian food and beverage market share at home and abroad.”
- Barbara Miller, Interim CEO of the Canadian Food Innovation Network
An interim board and CEO currently lead CFIN, while a full board of directors and a permanent staff team, including innovation directors located across the country, are recruited. A formal launch of CFIN and its initial services is expected for September 2021. Visit www.cfin-rcia.ca.
Associated links:
For more information: Andrea Murray or Isabelle Marquis, 1.888.773.8247 or info@cfin-rcia.ca