B.C. food companies receiving $2.3 million in innovation investments

Cauli Crumble by Big Mountain Foods, a family-owned British Columbia food processing business, is one of 36 new projects receiving more than $2.3 million in funding that’s being put towards a range of innovative projects in B.C.’s agri-food sector.

Big Mountain Foods’ Cauli Crumble project is receiving up to $49,250 through the cost-shared Canada-British Columbia Agri-Innovation Program under Growing Forward 2.

Cauli Crumble is an innovative vegetable ground product that consists of fresh cauliflower, sunflower seeds, fresh red peppers and Manitoba yellow split peas. It’s a meat-free alternative to soy and gluten that can be used in many different dishes including pasta, pizza, tacos, salads and casseroles.

“We are proud to be a mother-daughter duo that is providing consumers a trend setting meat-free alternative product that can be part of a plant-based diet,” Kimberly and Jasmine Chamberland, owners of Big Mountain Foods, said in a government press release. “The funding has helped us launch this innovative product and we look forward to competing with global brands and introducing consumers to Cauli Crumble.”

As explained in the press release, other projects and funding include:

• $45,205 to Heilu for a pilot project to develop sustainable products from locally farmed insects.
• $38,400 to HOOH Organic Hop Co. Ltd for a hop pelletizing project.
• $76,010 to Quejos Ancient Foods Inc. to develop a functional, vegetable-based dough.
• $50,525 to ZUUN Nutrition to pilot and demonstrate an innovative and therapeutic meal replacement drink mix that improves the quality of life for people with diabetes.

“The British Columbia government supports strategic investments to accelerate the pace of agrifoods innovation in British Columbia,” says Amrik Virk, British Columbia Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services. “Tech is driving a competitive advantage throughout B.C. Congratulations to all of our recipients as they test new technology for the benefit of the entire sector.”

Growing Forward 2 is a five-year agreement that provides a $3-billion, federal-provincial-territorial government investment in innovation, competitiveness and market development. The Canada-British Columbia Agri-Innovation program is administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia.