FOODTECH Canada, the leading innovation and commercialization network dedicated to Canada’s valued-added food and bio-products sector, has relocated its head office to the Prince Edward Island Food Technology Centre (FTC), says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.
“The Prince Edward Island Food Technology Centre is one of the founding members and leaders of the FOODTECH Canada network and an excellent base for operations,” said Mr. Campbell. “Having FOODTECH Canada here in Prince Edward Island emphasizes the role that the FTC plays at a national level. It will also provide an opportunity for collaboration between FTC staff and other FOODTECH Canada members to develop significant projects based in Prince Edward Island.”
FOODTECH Canada’s members work with industry to produce leading edge products, in the food, feed, natural health products and bio-product areas. The head office was established in 2006 in Saskatoon and now there are 12 FOODTECH Canada centres. Together they work with over 1,000 companies throughout the country. This cross-Canada network offers industry state-of-the-art processing and analytical equipment, specialized laboratories, pilot plants and commercial manufacturing facilities.
Joy Shinn, Executive Director of FOODTECH Canada says, “By taking advantage of the collaborative knowledge and expertise in food technology, process efficiencies, technology brokering, food safety, and the commercialization process, the Centres can become more strategic in their efforts with industry.”
FOODTECH Canada members provide innovation and commercialization support to companies that want to develop and manufacture new products and ingredients that can successfully compete in the local or global economy. They do this through a suite of technology services, from prototype to full-scale manufacturing, for a wide variety of products. Their business and marketing services help manufacturers improve their competitiveness, while meeting regulatory requirements for trade.
“FOODTECH Canada extends the Food Technology Centre’s reach and gives us access to additional technology, expertise and equipment that will be of benefit to our industry clients,” says FTC’s Executive Director Dr. Jim Smith. “We are also working together on developing innovation projects that we could not consider doing alone.”
The intent of the FOODTECH network is to create a more formalized approach to technology innovation and commercialization, and to maneuver collaborative resources to produce results faster. The move is coming at a good time, as the FTC staff is currently developing a national food safety project and will collaborate with industry members to improve the safety of seafood and other products.
For more information about FOODTECH Canada or the Prince Edward Island Food Technology Centre, visit www.foodtechcanada.ca and www.foodtechnologycentre.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
FOODTECH Canada
• FOODTECH Canada is a network of leading innovation and commercialization Centers from across Canada, committed to turning research and development into innovative products for the food and bio-products industry.
• FOODTECH Canada’s members work with industry to produce leading edge products, in the food, feed, natural health products and bio-product areas.
• The network provides a single, integrated, collaborative access point to deliver innovation and commercialization to Canada’s food sector.
FOODTECH Members across Canada
• Food Processing Development Centre, Leduc, AB
• POS Bio-Sciences, Saskatoon, SK
• Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, Saskatoon, SK
• Food Development Centre, Portage La Prairie, MB
• Canadian International Grains Institute, Winnipeg, MB
• Guelph Food Technology Centre, Guelph, ON
• Cintech agroalimentaire, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
• Merinov, Gaspé, QC
• PEI Food Technology Centre, Charlottetown, PE
• Canadian Institute of Fisheries Technology, Halifax, NS
• Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development, St. John's, NL
• BC Agri-Food Centre