GUELPH, ON, NOVEMBER 27, 2024 — The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) are pleased to announce the recipients of the Unpuzzling: Greening Your Food Manufacturing Operation Program. This initiative will support seven companies throughout Atlantic Canada in tracking and mitigating the environmental impacts of their operations.
The selected companies include:
Among the initiatives made possible through the Unpuzzling program is an energy conservation strategy to reduce utility usage at Tony’s Meats’ 38,000 square foot production facility. With this funding from ACOA and CFIN, the company will complete a comprehensive assessment of its current utility consumption, identify reduction opportunities, implement conservation measures, and install new monitoring systems.
Other participating companies are pursuing similar goals through facility energy audits, the installation of new sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and developing sustainable operations plans.
The health of our food systems, economies, and environment are linked: for one to thrive, so must the others. By helping businesses implement sustainable solutions to operational challenges, this funding from CFIN and ACOA will help Atlantic Canada’s food business ecosystem create new regional economic opportunities while simultaneously working to advance Canada’s broader sustainability goals.
QUOTES
"Sustainability is a critical focus for Atlantic Canada’s food sector, and CFIN’s support is helping food manufacturers gather the knowledge and resources they need to make impactful, long-term changes to their operations. By addressing key challenges such as energy use, food waste, and packaging, these companies are not only becoming more sustainable — they are improving their bottom line in the process.”
– Dana McCauley
CEO, Canadian Food Innovation Network
“If you want to know about great products that cut down on waste and costs and feeds Canadians and the world, just chat with our incredible fishers and farmers.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
"Our government is committed to fostering innovation in food production, and CFIN’s new projects are prime examples of how to make the industry more sustainable. By helping food producers boost efficiency, we’ll not only reduce environmental impact but also drive productivity, ultimately benefiting Canadian consumers."
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Sustainability is vitally important to our food processors. These investments in Atlantic Canadian businesses, including ADL in Prince Edward Island, will protect our food systems and the environment, help folks make their operations more efficient, and keep our agriculture and agri-food sector on the cutting edge.”
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in Canada
ABOUT THE CANADIAN FOOD INNOVATION NETWORK
The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) is a national organization that’s stimulating transformative and transferrable innovation within the Canadian food sector. With over 5,500 members and counting, CFIN has built the fastest growing and most engaged food business community in the country and their members come from across the globe, representing all parts of the food value chain. CFIN’s free membership includes access to exclusive funding programs, five Regional Innovation Directors, and YODL.
CFIN was established in 2021 and is supported by Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund and Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program.
ABOUT THE ATLANTIC CANADA OPPORTUNITIES AGENCY
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) works to create opportunities for economic growth in the region by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Unpuzzling: Greening Your Food Manufacturing Operation
Funded Project Details
CFIN Membership
CFIN Media Page
CFIN Media Kit
MEDIA CONTACTS
Jamil A. Karim
Communications Director
Canadian Food Innovation Network
Jamil@cfin-rcia.ca
Connor Burton
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Connor.Burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
