New project supports Canadian food processing needs
Ingredient suppliers to work with processors to develop new plant-based protein products
TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Protein Industries Canada announced a new project to supply meat and other food processors with plant-based ingredients for the growing flexitarian market.
Together, Griffith Foods, Persall Fine Foods and k2MILLING will focus on researching and developing new plant-based protein ingredients such as flours and texturized protein blends. The partners will work with food processors to ensure the ingredients complement pre-existing manufacturing infrastructure, while still tasting great and having a pleasing texture for consumers.
Approximately $1.2 million is being invested in the project: $611,000 from Protein Industries Canada and $611,000 from the partners collectively. It is Protein Industry Canada's first Ontario-based project.
"The demand for plant-based protein is expanding both in Canada and internationally," said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. "This investment from Protein Industries Canada will expand our ability to be a global leader in the production of plant protein. It will make it easier for Canadian firms to capitalize on this trend, grow their businesses, and create good jobs."
The project is strengthened by the experience and connections brought by each of the partners. Griffith Foods is a large-scale supplier of high-quality ingredients, k2MILLING is an artisanal miller with significant experience creating flavourful flours from unique sources and Persall Fine Foods specializes in producing gourmet cold-pressed oils from Canadian-grown crops. Together, the companies have more than 200 years of experience.
Other plant-protein businesses and research organizations along the value chain will also be involved in the project. This includes the National Research Council of Canada, which will aid by providing analytical testing solutions of the raw and finished ingredients for nutritional purposes.
"This project truly exemplifies a strengthening of our agrifood ecosystem," Protein Industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel said. "Together the consortium will develop ingredients that work for other companies wanting to enter the growing flexitarian market. They are contributing to Canada's food and ingredient sector and bringing value to a wide array of companies—including meat processors, a group many don't always associate with the plant-protein sector. As the demand for diverse protein options increases, it is an opportunity for innovative companies like these to become global leaders and set Canada apart in the protein market."
The ingredients developed by Griffith Foods, k2MILLING and Persall Fine Foods will allow food and meat processors to enter the plant-protein market, expanding and diversifying Canada's plant-based protein ecosystem. Final products will be sold as new vegan, vegetarian and/or flexitarian meal options to foodservice and retail locations throughout Canada and the United States.
"For the past century, Griffith Foods has been forefront in bringing food science discipline to the processed meat industry," said Joachim Baur, Director of Product and Process Innovation at Griffith Foods. "By collaborating with our consortium partners and PIC, we look forward to advancing Canada's plant-protein industry with innovative, functional ingredients. It is a project that encompasses our purpose driven strategy in the many ways in which We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World."
"We are excited to bring more plant-protein flour options into the Canadian marketplace," k2MILLING owner Mark Hayhoe said. "There is plenty of opportunity for innovation in this area. Between Canada's supply of high-quality plant-protein crops, this partnership with Griffith Foods and Persall Fine Foods, and our experience milling a wide variety of flours, we're uniquely qualified to move that innovation forward."
"Partnering with Griffith Foods and k2MILLING gives us the opportunity to be part of a great team," Persall Fine Foods owner Jason Persall said. "All of the players are focused on plant protein, innovation and adding value all the way through the supply chain. It will open up some new opportunities not only for our own cold-pressed oils, but also for the processing sector as a whole."
To date, Protein Industries Canada and consortium members have invested more than $163 million into Canada's plant-protein sector. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for research and capacity building projects are currently being accepted through PIC's third open call. This is the eighth project announced by Protein Industries Canada.
About Griffith Foods
For food companies around the world, Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner whose people help our customers meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Established in 1919 and now in our fourth generation of family leadership, Griffith Foods is a global developer and manufacturer of customized food ingredients. Using our vast industry expertise, we develop culinary-inspired, on-trend products to exacting specification and ensure cultural authenticity, great taste and improved food safety.
About k2MILLING
k2MILLING's history and experience in Ontario goes back to 1935, when owner Mark Hayhoe's grandfather entered the business. As an artisanal flour mill, k2MILLING uses its unique mk2 mill to supply Ontario with a flavourful selection of flours. The mk2 milling system uses a kold milling process to retain the flavour of k2MILLING's flour in a way unlike other milling methods, allowing the company to provide customers with such offerings as blueberry flour, hemp flour, barley flour and sunflower flour.
About Persall Fine Foods
Persall Fine Foods is a circular integrated food company based on the Persall family's fourth-generation Ontario farm, and focused on adding value to sunflower, canola, soybean and pumpkin oilseeds through cold-press technology. Persall Fine Foods gained respect in the broad food community through its brand Pristine Gourmet and its exceptional cold-pressed virgin oils. Persall Fine Foods continues to grow in size, seeking new markets for oil and protein that bring quality and value to customers.
SOURCE Protein Industries Canada
Miranda Burski, Protein Industries Canada, Regina, SK, 306-581-1340, [email protected]
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