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Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announces funding for a pair of projects during Manitoba Ag Days at the Keystone Centre Wednesday.
More than $440,000 in federal funding will go to two innovative projects to be launched by the Manitoba Food Processors Association.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement on Wednesday while in Brandon for Manitoba Ag Days.
"Our government truly appreciates the dedication of the MFPA, which I understand represents some 260 businesses throughout this great province, each providing much-needed jobs and a healthy boost to the economy," Ritz said.
A majority of the funding — $300,000 — will help food entrepreneurs develop new value-added food products, Ritz said, and launch new businesses by providing them with the expertise, the skill sets and the information they require.
Just over $141,000 will allow the MFPA to study the concept and feasibility of developing a food and bioactive discovery, innovation and commercialization centre.
"It will help advance the food processing industry here in Manitoba," Ritz said.
The centre would assist entrepreneurs with commercialization and marketing, while serving as a hub for the development of new research and packing technologies.
The funds are provided under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program.
MFPA executive director Dave Shambrock said the announcement is important to agriculture, food processing and the entire economy of Manitoba.
"Simply put, the food business is exceptionally complicated and incredibly competitive," Shambrock said. "It is truly a global market for food. You can go into just about any grocery store in rural Manitoba and find some of the best products from throughout the world. What this means for our companies here, is that you need to be able to compete with the best there is, even if you decide to sell in smaller, regional markets."
Part of the proposed research will be to study bioactive compounds in Manitoba crops.
"Many of the new products a lot of our small companies are bringing to market are based on some of the unique compounds that are based on our local crops, and the incredible health benefits they have to consumers," Shambrock said.
They plan to study the impact of these compounds on health and wellness when they are incorporated into traditional, everyday foods.
Shambrock said researchers will look into ways to extract and process these materials using environmentally-friendly technologies, as well as look into ways of reducing the environmental impact of packaging materials.
Brandon-Souris Conservative MP Merv Tweed said the announcement sends a message to producers, not just in Manitoba but across Canada.
"Let’s take it to the next step. Let’s not just be the producers of the raw material, let’s encourage people to expand opportunities, and today’s announcement should enhance that," Tweed said.
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition January 17, 2013
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More than $440,000 in federal funding will go to two innovative projects to be launched by the Manitoba Food Processors Association.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement on Wednesday while in Brandon for Manitoba Ag Days.
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More than $440,000 in federal funding will go to two innovative projects to be launched by the Manitoba Food Processors Association.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement on Wednesday while in Brandon for Manitoba Ag Days.
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