Food Starter opens its doors to serve up Toronto's best in up-and-coming food businesses, paving way for innovation and growth for future food companies

Canada's only food business commercialization centre celebrated its official grand opening with announcement of industry partnerships designed to support food entrepreneurs

TORONTO, Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Food Starter, a not-for-profit corporation funded in part by the City of Toronto and Canada's premier food business commercialization centre, today celebrated its official grand opening with a Flavour Safari held at the centre's 20,000-square foot shared-use production space in Toronto, Ontario.

John Tory, Mayor of Toronto, Councillor Frank Di Giorgio, Councillor Michael Thompson, Councillor Mary Fragedakis and Minister Laura Albanese joined Dana McCauley and Ted McKechnie from Food Starter, a Canadian not-for-profit organization focused on supporting up-and-coming food businesses, to celebrate the official grand opening of the facility. (CNW Group/Food Starter)

The event, sponsored by the City of Toronto and SIAL Canada – an international food and beverage tradeshow – featured guided tours of the facility, opportunities to sample products created by Food Starter clients and a presentation that shared details of new industry partnerships which include collaborations with Ozery Bakery, Woodbine Entertainment, Cater Toronto, North York Harvest Food Bank, Bishop Integrated Marketing, and Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian accounting firm, MNP.

"2017 marks an exciting year for us at Food Starter as we are about to embark upon new and innovative ways to support up-and-coming food businesses," said Dana McCauley, Executive Director, Food Starter. "Since our inception in November 2015, we have helped more than 150 companies through specialized programing designed to increase their chances of success in a very competitive market. Partnerships are essential and will help accelerate innovation in Canada's food sector, ultimately advancing Food Starter's mission and creating the future of food."

Mayor John Tory and City of Toronto officials including Economic Development & Culture Committee Chair, Councillor Michael Thompson, City Councillor Mary Fragedakis, and Councillor Frank Di Giorgio were joined by the Honorable MPP Laura Albanese, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to celebrate the official launch of Food Starter and to share in the celebration of these partnerships.

"In less than two years, Food Starter has helped more than 150 food companies to accelerate their growth and create more than 160 jobs," said Mayor Tory. "These partnerships represent opportunities to bolster and advance the competitive strength of emerging food businesses. We encourage Toronto's private and public sectors to join Food Starter and its partners as they continue to spice up Canada's food innovation landscape."

"Innovation is at the very core of SIAL Canada's mission as it plays a significant role in bringing new food products successfully to market," said Xavier Poncin, CEO, SIAL Canada. "The clients of Food Starter today are paving the way to help shape the future of the food sector. With eight out of 10 SIAL Canada attendees seeking new products and trends, I'm confident we will see many of Food Starter's clients exhibiting their innovative products on an international stage at future SIAL conferences, and possibly receiving a future SIAL Innovation Award."

ABOUT FOOD STARTER

As the only facility of its kind, Food Starter operates a 20,000-square foot shared-use food safe production space in Toronto complete with manufacturing equipment including a commercial bakery, hot and cold fill lines, and a full suite of packaging equipment. Food Starter offers new food businesses expert training, mentorship and consulting services as they prepare to commercialize their product and launch their business. Current funding for Food Starter is provided by the City of Toronto and Growing Forward 2.

By supporting companies such as Jaswant's Kitchen, Good Food for Good and Fressy Bessie, to name just a few, Food Starter has helped Toronto area businesses launch over 80 product lines since November 2015. Please visit Food Starter's website for more details.

SOURCE Food Starter

Dana McCauley, Executive Director, Food Starter, Email: [email protected], Phone [phone] ext. 223; Shane Gerard, Strategic Communications, City of Toronto, Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone]; Janet Grdovich, Janet Grdovich Communications, Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone]