April 22, 2008
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
A federal investment will help the Saskatchewan Food Centre explore commercialization opportunities for new food products. The federal investment of nearly $800,000 in research and development was announced today by Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.
"This equipment will enable researchers to identify new ways to process Saskatchewan crops that could lead to new commercial products," said MP Trost. "The Government of Canada is proud to support Canadian innovators who develop new ideas and bring them to the marketplace."
"By investing in this equipment and expertise, researchers and industry will be able to advance value-added processing right here in Canada," said Minister Ritz. "Our Government is committed to helping the agriculture and agri-food sector plan for the future and capture market opportunities."
With this investment, the Food Centre will be able to conduct pilot-scale processing tests on-site, as opposed to transporting material and personnel to the United States for assessment. In addition to food products designed for human consumption, this technology can be used to test products for potential use in the pet, animal and aquaculture feed market.
"Western Canada has a strong base in agricultural production; this project will build on our renewable resources and provide development capacity to explore new products derived from plant based materials using extrusion technology," said Dan Prefontaine, President, Saskatchewan Food Centre.
The new extruder will also be able to test oilseeds and plant-based materials to develop green environmentally friendly bio-polymers that could replace petroleum based plastics.
This project supports the Government of Canada's commitments to improving Canadian's lives through investments in science and technology, increasing the practical applications of our research and building a strong competitive economy.
This investment is provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: (613) 759-7972
Dan Prefontaine
President
Saskatchewan Food Centre
Tel: (306) 933-7555
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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