Regina, Saskatchewan, September 14, 2026 – Farm Credit Canada (FCC) today launched a 60-day Expression of Interest (EOI) process for its new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance initiative. Organizations are invited to bring forward major agri-food processing and manufacturing projects across Canada in support of a stronger, more resilient and affordable food system for all Canadians.

As part of the Government of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy, the specialized financing is designed to advance construction-ready, infrastructure projects that expand food processing and manufacturing capacity across Canada. By expanding food processing here at home, Agri-food Project Finance aims to create more value-added Canadian agricultural products, strengthen domestic supply chains and improve long-term food security.

“Our government is focused on strengthening Canada’s food system so Canadians can count on a reliable supply of high-quality, affordable food,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald. “This new $1 billion fund, combined with the $150 million investment in Velocity Agri-Capital Partners, will help Canadian agri food businesses bring ambitious projects to life, expand processing capacity, and grow value here at home. By investing in innovation and infrastructure, we’re supporting producers and ensuring Canada’s food system is resilient for the future.”

While Canada produces some of the world’s highest-quality agricultural products, much of that is shipped abroad for processing before returning to Canadian grocery store shelves. Many of the projects needed to help close that gap require significant investment and can be difficult to finance through conventional lending alone. Agri-food Project Finance introduces a specialized debt financing approach to help more of those projects move forward.

FCC is uniquely positioned to lead this work through its long-standing presence in Canada’s agriculture and food industry, as it supports projects that may face challenges securing conventional lending. With deep market intelligence, data-driven research and analytics, and established relationships across the value chain, FCC will identify where investment could have the greatest impact and how to support promising projects.

“Canada’s agriculture and food industry has a unique opportunity to meet the growing demand at home and around the world, not only helping producers but feeding more Canadians,” said Justine Hendricks, president and CEO of FCC. “Agri-food Project Finance will unlock the right projects to help Canada build the infrastructure and processing capacity we need for a stronger, more resilient and more self-reliant food system.”

This initial 60-day expression of interest window will help FCC identify suitable projects and better understand industry demand. FCC expects to consider additional project opportunities as the initiative evolves.

To learn more about Agri-food Project Finance, including project eligibility and how to submit an expression of interest, visit www.fcc.ca/projectfinance.

Verista, a leading provider in solving complex quality, compliance, validation, technology, and operational challenges for the life sciences industry, is excited to announce its participation at Pack Expo International 2026, from October 18 to October 21, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Verista will be exhibiting its latest innovations in inspection and label management technology at booth W-20082, highlighting the COUNTQ® Tray Inspection System and the LABELQ™ Label & Print Reconciliation System.

The COUNTQ® Tray Inspection System is an advanced AI-enabled inspection and reconciliation solution designed to transform the counting and verification of vials, syringes, ampoules, and other tray-loaded parts in pharmaceutical manufacturing. COUNTQ® systems can utilize deep learning AI to deliver 100% electronic verification of product counts in just 15 seconds, significantly increasing accuracy and throughput compared to manual methods. This system virtually eliminates rework due to reconciliation and count discrepancies, reduces labor costs, and improves worker safety. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, LED lights, a multi-touch HMI, and 21 CFR Part 11 record compliance, the COUNTQ® platform ensures precise inspection, comprehensive audit trails, and traceability.

The system’s flexibility allows it to handle a wide range of tray types and product sizes, with unlimited recipe storage for quick changeovers. One COUNTQ® system can process up to 100 million vials per year, supporting a standard fill line capacity of 300 vials per minute. The COUNTQ® platform is available in compact, robust form factors, operates on standard power, and is designed for integration into existing production networks.

The LABELQ™ Label & Print Reconciliation System is a groundbreaking platform engineered to transform label management for medical device, pharmaceutical, and contract manufacturers. The LABELQ™ system integrates print, inspection, and verification into a single platform, delivering 100% automatic label inspection with real-time feedback. This reduces the risk of product recalls, label mix-ups, and poor label quality, while automating records and audit logs for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. LABELQ™ systems eliminate manual inspection tasks, lower production costs, and offer a rapid changeover process to minimize downtime.

The system supports intuitive product setup, multiple modes of operation including print, inspect, count, and rewind, and accommodates lot sizes from 50 to 50,000. A unique feature of Verista’s LABELQ™ platform is the ability to auto-generate vision files when using industry-standard label software, such as BarTender, NiceLabel, and Loftware. The LABELQ™ platform’s flexibility and industrial-grade design make it an ideal solution for manufacturers with variable production needs, setting a new benchmark in label management for regulated industries.

Visitors to booth W-20082 will have the opportunity to learn more about COUNTQ® and LABELQ™ products and engage with Verista’s industry experts to discover how these solutions can streamline operations, improve accuracy, and ensure the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

10^th September 2026 - LEWA, part of Atlas Copco Group Industrial Flow division, brings together a portfolio of hygienic industrial flow technologies designed to help manufacturers in the food and beverage industry maximize production efficiency while maintaining product integrity. This initiative integrates a full range of hygienic industrial flow technologies - including lobe, centrifugal, reciprocating diaphragm and plunger, progressing cavity, and twin-screw pumps, as well as customized metering and mixing systems - into a one-stop shop. The offer provides producers with a comprehensive portfolio of pumps, systems, and technical expertise tailored to meet the demanding operational requirements of modern food and beverage production.

Manufacturers face growing pressure to maintain strict hygiene standards, ensure consistent product quality, and optimize operational efficiency. The unified portfolio addresses these challenges by delivering advanced industrial flow technologies engineered for reliable and hygienic processing environments.

“Our focus is on helping producers achieve high uptime and operational reliability in food and beverage production, while safeguarding the integrity of their products,” said Ingo Landwehr, Business Line Manager Food and Beverage. “By bringing together our own technologies and decades of expertise across these solutions into one consolidated offering, partners, customers, and end users benefit from a single trusted source for hygienic, reliable, and energy-efficient industrial flow solutions, backed by dedicated experts.”

A comprehensive portfolio designed for hygienic food production

These solutions are engineered to meet stringent industry standards, ensuring safe and hygienic processing across applications from ingredient handling to finished product transfer. These technologies support production processes across a broad range of subsegments, including dairy, fruits and vegetables, beverages, prepared foods, pasta, cereals, meat, seafood, sugar, confectionery, bakery products, starch and proteins, or liquid foods, among others.

The integrated food and beverage portfolio combines specialized pump technologies for diverse modern processing needs.

LEWA provides advanced diaphragm metering and process pumps (LEWA ecoflow™, LEWA ecodos™, LEWA triplex™), as well as customized mixing and metering systems, for precise, safe, and reproducible dosing of critical ingredients. Pomac™ lobe pumps gently handle shear-sensitive, high-viscosity products, while Pomac™ centrifugal pumps ensure efficient, cleanable transfer and consistent quality.

Wangen™ twin screw pumps handle a wide range of media with low wear and high uptime, and Wangen™ progressing cavity pumps enable hygienic conveying and dosing across varying viscosities, including solids.

Complementing the portfolio, Varisco™ internal gear pumps provide smooth and controlled transfer of products such as syrups, oils, and chocolate in industrial food processes.

Together, these technologies form a consolidated portfolio, providing end-to-end solutions to enhance operational efficiency, maintain product integrity, and support the entire production chain, from ingredient intake and formulation to conveying, processing, and cleaning with Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Sterilize-in-Place (SIP) compatibility.

All these technologies are part of the Atlas Copco Group, with dedicated Competence Centers in the Netherlands, Germany, China and Italy. Supported by more than 17 Customer Centers worldwide, ensuring a strong global footprint with an established local presence in key markets, Atlas Copco Group serves the food and beverage industry with a unique and consolidated portfolio.

Reliability and energy efficiency

Beyond hygiene and product protection, these technologies are designed to support production reliability and operational efficiency.

Energy-efficient pump designs and optimized system integration help manufacturers reduce operational costs while supporting energy efficiency and maintaining high levels of uptime.

LEWA complements its technology portfolio with dedicated expert support across the entire lifecycle of food production pumps and systems. Services include application engineering, system design, commissioning, maintenance, and training.

With global expertise and local service capabilities, the brand supports producers in addressing complex processing challenges and maintaining reliable production performance.

“Food and beverage producers need partners who understand their processes and the critical role of hygienic flow technology,” explains Stefan Glasmeyer as VP Sales and Marketing. “We bring together the technologies and expertise needed to support manufacturers and system integrators at every step of their production.”

Winnipeg/Brussels, September 9, 2026, | The Government of Manitoba and EIT Food today announced a strategic framework to explore collaboration that strengthens Manitoba’s agriculture and agrifood innovation ecosystem, support competitiveness, and advance sustainable and resilient growth. The collaboration brings together EIT Food’s experience in ecosystem coordination, knowledge exchange, innovation programming and international collaboration with Manitoba’s work to advance industry–academia collaboration, applied research, innovation adoption and new funding opportunities. EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

Representatives from the Government of Manitoba and EIT Food during the signing of the agreement, including the Hon. ROn Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of the Minister of Agriculture, Raphaël Debleser, Chief Operating Officer at EIT Food and Patricia Willems-Mawenu, Strategic Collaborations, Global & Multi-stakeholder.

This partnership intends to explore programmes, initiatives, knowledge exchange and research activities with the Department of Agriculture of Manitoba (Manitoba Agriculture) to connect their strengths with European networks, partnerships and markets. It also recognises the value of two-way exchange, creating opportunities for European innovators to engage with Manitoba’s agriculture and agrifood ecosystem while supporting Manitoba-based innovators, researchers and institutions seeking links to Europe.

The framework also builds on EIT Food’s growing engagement with the Canadian agrifood innovation ecosystem. In May 2026, EIT Food announced a partnership with AgSphere to support cross-border collaboration between Canada and Europe, including startup immersion programmes and exchanges, training and skills development, and strategic collaboration between the two regions. AgSphere also will join EIT Food’s Next Bite event in Warsaw to connect Canadian agrifood startups with European market opportunities, reinforcing the role of international partnerships.

Five areas for collaboration

Subject to mutual interest and separate written agreement where required, EIT Food and Manitoba Agriculture will explore:

1. Horizon Europe and research collaboration, including links to consortia, partnerships, funding opportunities, pilots and demonstration activities where eligible.
2. Two-way innovation and market connectivity between European and Manitoba-based companies, innovators, researchers and institutions.
3. Application of EIT Food’s Knowledge Triangle model, integrating academia, industry and entrepreneurship, to support ecosystem development.
4. Future pathways and investment readiness, including high-level frameworks and roadmaps for programming, partnerships and investment considerations.
5. Global knowledge exchange and stronger network connectivity between Manitoba and the European Union.

"Manitoba’s producers and processors are the backbone of our rural economy, and this collaboration strengthens the tools they need to stay competitive in a global market. By linking our innovation ecosystem with Europe’s largest agrifood network, we’re opening doors for new research, new technologies and new market opportunities that directly benefit Manitoba farms, local businesses and communities. This partnership helps ensure that the ideas and products developed here at home can grow, scale and succeed on the world stage.” The Hon. Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of the Minister of Agriculture in Manitoba, said.

“This agreement offers EIT Food and our European partners a valuable opportunity to strengthen links with Manitoba-based innovators, while bringing fresh knowledge, technologies and market perspectives into Europe’s food innovation ecosystem. By connecting academia, industry players, and entrepreneurs across our regions, we look forward to exploring how this partnership can drive our shared ambition in building a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system.” Richard Zaltzman, CEO, EIT Food, said.

“International collaboration is essential if we are to accelerate innovation across the food system and create stronger connections between regions with complementary expertise. This framework with Manitoba offers a practical opportunity to connect European and Canadian innovators, researchers and institutions, helping ideas, talent and entrepreneurship move more effectively across borders. By working together, we can support new routes for knowledge exchange, market access and sustainable growth.” Benoît Buntinx, Director of Business Creation, EIT Food, said.

This five-year framework marks a shared commitment to turn international collaboration into practical impact. By connecting Manitoba’s agrifood strengths with Europe’s largest food innovation ecosystem, EIT Food and Manitoba Agriculture aim to create new pathways for ideas, talent and entrepreneurship to grow across borders, supporting a food system that is more competitive, resilient and better equipped to deliver sustainable growth for people, places and the planet.