
‘It’s not only a good investment now but it is preparing us for the future, because this trend of the population increasing their consumption of plant protein is here to stay’
Canada has once again backed efforts to grow its country’s plant-based sector.
The government has announced more than $2.6 million in federal funding for the Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC) in Leduc, Alberta.
The investment is part of a larger $18 million package that will support projects aimed at strengthening Canada’s food supply chain, which has been hit hard by COVID-19.
Assist agri-food companies
According to a release, the Alberta government operated pilot plant and development facility will use the $2.6 million funds for providing “tools” to agri-food producers to turn their high-protein pulse crops, including lentils, chickpeas, and peas into higher-value ingredients, or even finished plant-based products.
Over the next four years, the Canadian government will assist the Centre in supporting approximately 100 small- and medium-sized companies, and potentially launching up to 30 new products to market.
‘Reliable and safe nutritious food supply’
Mélanie Joly, the honorable Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, said in a statement: “The wellbeing of all Canadians—physically, socially, and economically—begins with a safe food supply. Western Canada’s farmers and agri-food businesses are essential to this, and we’re here for them.
“Initiatives such as this are vital to enabling our agri-food companies to scale up, support good jobs, and ultimately ensure the security of the safe, nutritious food supply we all rely on.”
‘Plant protein is here to stay’
The new funding package comes close on the heels of a previous $100 million investment in Merit Functional Foods, which also specializes in plant-based protein and will use the funds to build a commercial-scale protein production factory capable of utilizing 10,000 metric tonnes of yellow peas when it is fully operational.
According to the National Research Council of Canada, plant-based protein product sales have increased 7 percent to $1.5 billion from 2016-2017.
Winnipeg MP and parliamentary secretary for Western Economic Diversification Canada -Terry Duguid noted: “I think there’s never been a more important time to continue to maintain our food supply, to invest in our food supply and this of course is going to create jobs.
“It’s not only a good investment now but it is preparing us for the future, because this trend of the population increasing their consumption of plant protein is here to stay.”
Share this story to let others know about the Canadian government’s initiative to grow its plant-based sector.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
Tobey Maguire often speaks about veganism and animal issues. Tobey Maguire, the actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi trilogy, is a vegan. He has been a vegetarian since 1992 and became a vegan in 2009. A lifelong commitment to animal rights Maguire’s decision to go vegan was motivated by his love …
Continue reading “Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know”
Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
The number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based industry increased by almost a third from April to July 2023, GlobalData reported. The plant-based food industry is booming, and this is reflected in the number of job openings in the sector. According to data from GlobalData, the number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based …
Continue reading “Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …