Saskatchewan food industry receives funding boost

Saskatoon, Sask. – The federal government is investing $800,000 in the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. to help it purchase new technology designed for use in product and process development.

The Saskatoon-based Centre is a non-profit organization that assists processors in adding value to their products and in finding new market opportunities.

With new an investment in new equipment, the Centre will work towards developing ways for helping processors reduce production costs, improve innovation, increase product quality and enhance food safety. It’s hoped that this will lead to the commercialization of new food products in the province, as well as job creation.

“This new funding will enable the Food Centre to expand its expertise through the purchase of new technologies,” said Muriel Garven, chair of the Centre’s Board of Directors. “This project will assist food processors in discovering new possibilities in food development and exploring new market opportunities.”

The investment comes through Western Economic Diversification Canada, which works with communities and groups to promote economic development and diversification in Western Canada.

Photo Above: (Left to right) After announcing an investment in the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Canada, Brad Trost, MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, and the Food Centre’s Matt Marcotte make pastries using the Centre’s co-extrusion equipment.