Protein Industries Canada launches five projects to strengthen Canadian food supply chain

Protein Industries Canada invests in five projects focused on expanding the availability or use of Canadian-grown and -processed ingredients, as part of the Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain program.

Launched in response to concerns around trade-related tension, the Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain program will help Canadian agrifood companies use more Canadian products, lessening reliance on imports. This means a more resilient domestic supply chain, with more food products made with Canadian ingredients, for Canadians.

“Our farmers and producers work tirelessly to produce reliable, high-quality food. By including more homegrown ingredients in the products Canadians buy every day, these projects will support our farmers, strengthen our economy, and help keep our food system strong and secure in the face of global uncertainty,” said Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

The five projects represent companies from Ontario and British Columbia, and the ingredient manufacturing and food processing industries. The new ingredients, foods and beverage commercialized as a result will boost the use of Canadian protein crops.

A total of $1.3 million has been invested into the five projects, with Protein Industries Canada committing $615,000 and the companies committing the remainder.

Project details

Earth’s Own Foods will be transitioning its U.S.-based soybean supply to source directly from Canada, creating a fully Canadian soy-based beverage. The total investment for this project is $222,000, with Protein Industries Canada committing $150,000.

Ontario-based Oat & Mill is replacing their U.S.-sourced pea protein with new Canadian protein ingredients. The total investment for this project is $200,000, with Protein Industries Canada committing $150,000.

Cedar Valley Selections is reformulating their pita chips to include Canadian pulses. The total investment for this project is $666,975, with Protein Industries Canada committing $150,000.

Prairie Goodness in British Columbia is reformulating their lentil-based Chipls. The total investment for this project is $75,650, with Protein Industries Canada committing $56,738.

Plant Up, based in Ontario, is scaling and reformulating their fava and pea-based snack puffs. The total investment for this project is $144,900, with Protein Industries Canada committing $108,675.