Prairie Food Link Receives Funding to Continue to Grow Food Industry Network
SASKATOON, SK –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Ag-West Bio Inc., a non-profit helping move research to market and grow bio-business in the province, is receiving $350,500 in non-repayable funding under the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program to enhance food ingredient cluster capacity and programming in Saskatchewan.
Prairie Food Link, Saskatchewan’s food ingredient processing cluster, has been operating as a network of food industry leaders that meet regularly to share expertise and help each other grow locally and globally. Since its founding in 2021, the network has grown to 237 members representing 166 organizations.
Dr. Karen Churchill, President and CEO of Ag-West Bio Inc., says, “In these times of uncertainty, it is more relevant than ever to build local communities. Prairie Food Link has had significant success in bringing together Saskatchewan’s food and ingredients industry. This funding will enable the cluster to build on that success, to help grow a strong, supportive community in which our local companies can thrive.”
This investment will help enhance food ingredient cluster capacity and programming under Prairie Food Link in Saskatchewan. Ag-West Bio Inc. will engage cluster members and promote the food and ingredient processing sector, manage online connection tools, connect members to training and other supports, add a new online directory for co-packing members, complete research to identify barriers to cluster growth and productivity, and develop and implement a strategy to address the findings of that research.
Shannon Sears, Prairie Food Link Industry Co-Chair says, “The Prairie Food Link offers members an opportunity to learn and share, from new business startups to Saskatchewan’s largest added value agricultural producers, in a non-competitive & supportive environment. The combination of presentations from subject matter experts to industry networking resonates with members. This new funding ensures the Prairie Food Link will continue to support members through access to relevant information, expertise and mentorship in a rapidly changing world.”
To learn more about Prairie Food Link and food ingredients and processing in Saskatchewan, contact Joanne Baczuk at (306) 250-4969 or joanne.baczuk@agwest.sk.ca.
About Ag-West Bio
Ag-West Bio is Saskatchewan’s agricultural bioscience industry association. The company works as a catalyst for industry growth in the bioeconomy through direct investments, aiding strategic alliances, hosting educational and networking events, business planning support, and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by the Government of Canada and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Since 1989, Ag-West Bio has been investing in innovative Saskatchewan companies through its Technology Commercialization Fund. This self-replenishing fund targets early-stage companies that are commercializing bioscience technologies with potential to yield tangible benefits for the province’s agriculture industry. Ag-West Bio investments are patient, non-predatory and flexible.
About Prairie Food Link
Prairie Food Link Prairie Food Link is a “small but mighty” food cluster that offers companies and entrepreneurs opportunities to gather for informal discussions and networking, and builds connections for the food community. Prairie Food Link is a vehicle for food ingredient and processing companies of all sizes and scales to foster connections and build their businesses. Prairie Food Link is industry-led, and supported by Ag-West Bio, Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry association and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).
Contacts
Joanne Baczuk
Director of Ecosystem Development
Ag-West Bio
joanne.baczuk@agwest.sk.ca
(306) 250-4969
Noelle Chorney
Director of Communications
Ag-West Bio
noelle.chorney@agwest.sk.ca
(306) 292-6634