October 22, 2024 – Winnipeg is known for its high-calibre restaurant and food scene, so it’s no surprise it’s hosting this year’s FCC Food and Beverage Summit.

You’re invited to come experience the newest ideas and innovations in Canadian food and drink on Wednesday, October 30 at the prestigious Winnipeg Museum. Samples included! There are over 35 food and beverage businesses showcasing and demonstrating their products.

Get a sneak peek at what could be the next food and beverage trends to hit grocery store shelves in Canada. The FCC Food and Beverage Summit brings together the top Canadian minds behind the businesses and ideas that affect everyone from producers and distributers to sellers and consumers.

FCC is excited to welcome Christopher Parker, Tree of Life Senior Vice-President to this year’s summit. Tree of Life is a Canadian leader in the grocery and food service industry.

See a speaker you want to interview? Contact us at the email below to pre-book an interview.

             Where: Manitoba Museum – Alloway Hall

190 Rupert Ave, Winnipeg, MB

When: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, October 30, 2024

FCC is proud to be 100 per cent invested in Canadian agriculture and food. The organization’s employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food. FCC provides flexible financing and capital solutions, while creating value through data, knowledge, relationships and expertise. FCC offers a complement of financial and non-financial products and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of the industry. As a commercial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves. For more information, visit fcc.ca.

The Board of Hans Merensky Holdings (HMH) and Westfalia Fruit Group (Westfalia) announced today the appointment of Chris Bush to the post of Group CEO, effective 28 October 2024. Mr. Bush will take over from Acting Group CEO Rian du Toit who returns to his role as Group CFO.

Chris Bush, a graduate of Manchester Business School and INSEAD, is a highly experienced international CEO with almost 40 years of experience, working across grocery retail. He has led vastly complex multinational organisations, driving both growth and turnaround across various geographies. He has a strong track record in leading people and operations, at scale. Most recently he was Divisional CEO of DFI Retail Group, Southeast Asia (formerly Dairy Farm Group), directing DFI Retail’s 1.500 stores across 7 countries. Prior to joining DFI Retail Group, Chris worked at Tesco Plc for 32 years, leading large-scale businesses in Asia, culminating in his position as the UK Managing Director. Throughout his career, Chris has lived and worked in Europe, the USA and Asia.

Announcing the appointment, HMH and Westfalia Fruit Group Chairman Dr. Khotso Mokhele said: “After an extensive global search process, the Board is delighted to welcome Mr. Bush as our new Group Chief Executive. Chris is a seasoned CEO with exceptional strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and strong experience in retail, as well as working across a breadth of different countries and cultures.”

Chris Bush said: “I am both honoured and delighted to be joining an organisation that is so clearly dedicated to innovation, product quality and sustainability. I am inspired by the company’s stated mission to lead the way in addressing climate change by following in the footsteps of the company’s founder, Dr. Hans Merensky, to do good and contribute to a better planet for future generations.”

Mr. Bush concluded: “I am excited to meet our talented team, our customers, communities and stakeholders around the world to listen and learn how together we can maximise our growth potential and build sustainable, long term success.”

Wenda Ingredients is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with BSA WIBERG, who will now serve as the exclusive distributor of Wenda Ingredients’ innovative products in Canada.

Effective immediately, BSA WIBERG will distribute Wenda Ingredients’ acclaimed products, including SafePlate^® and NatureBind^®, catering to industries such as baking, meat, poultry, and more. This collaboration ensures that Canadian businesses across the food manufacturing sector will benefit from Wenda Ingredients’ advanced solutions.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, combining Wenda Ingredients’ expertise in developing cutting-edge functional ingredients with BSA WIBERG’s extensive market reach and local knowledge in the Canadian market.

For more information about this partnership and to explore Wenda Ingredients’ portfolio of functional ingredients, visit: wendaingredients.com.

For specific applications and technical assistance, contact BSA WIBERG Sales team in Montreal, Oakville and Vancouver, visit: bsawiberg.com

The Wenda Ingredients family has the experience to provide you with solutions to go clean-label and natural. Trust in Food®. Contact us at: sales@wendaingredients.com or call 844-999-3632.

For solutions in Canada please contact BSA WIBERG at: info@bsawiberg.com or call Edith Bienvenue, 514-852-2719.

Burnaby, B.C., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the race to meet the growing demand for new protein options, the ability to match the taste, texture, price and nutrition characteristics of their traditional counterparts is key to unlocking new markets around the world. Today, Protein Industries Canada announced a project focused on improving these characteristics in a variety of plant-based cheese products.

Project partners Daiya Foods, Ingredion, Ingredion Plant Based Protein Specialties (IPBPS) and Lovingly Made Flour Mills are combining their expertise to use Canadian pulses, such as pea and fava, in the development of new protein ingredients and plant-based cheeses. By focusing on improving the products’ taste, texture and nutrition factors while reducing their price, the partners will be helping make them more accessible and appealing to Canadian families.

“By leveraging technology and Canadian crops, this project is helping to increase the appeal, diversity and accessibility of plant-based cheeses and dairy alternatives for consumers, both at home and abroad,” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “The increase in production and consumption of plant protein ingredients further supports the financial, technological and ecological sustainability of Canada’s food sector.”

The co-investment by Protein Industries Canada and the project partners is another step toward helping the ingredient manufacturing, food processing and bioproducts sector reach its $25 billion potential. At the end of the project, the partners’ innovative ingredients and food products—derived from Canadian sources—will not only help increase the supply and diversity of sustainable food products, but also help boost the country’s GDP while creating new jobs for Canadians.

“The value of investing in these companies lies in the outcomes of projects like this one,” Protein Industries Canada CFO Kassandra Quayle said. “This investment is providing benefits to all of Canada. It’s strengthening our economy, and providing our families with new, great-tasting less expensive food options.”

Throughout the project, Ingredion and IPBPS will turn Canadian pulses into functional ingredients for use in Daiya’s plant-based cheeses. At the same time, Lovingly Made Flour Mills will develop extruded pulse ingredients for use in Daiya’s products.

The combined expertise of the partners will allow Daiya to include higher levels of protein in their products, helping meet the growing global demand for new and increased sources of protein.

“At Daiya, our goal has always been to create plant-based products that deliver the same taste and texture experience as traditional dairy. This collaboration allows us to improve the nutritional profile of our cheeses while ensuring they match the flavour and quality that consumers expect from dairy products. By incorporating Canadian pulses and advancing our fermentation technology, we’re excited to bring even better-tasting, protein-rich options to the table that are accessible to all Canadian families,” said Daiya Foods Director of Advanced Research & Technology Jamie Siu.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Protein Industries Canada and Daiya, leaders in the plant-based food industry. Together, we aim to deliver pulse-based proteins and flours that will pave the way for the next generation of plant-based cheese products, offering superior taste, texture, and nutrition,” said Jeff Billig, Vice President & General Manager of Protein Fortification at Ingredion Incorporated. “By providing Daiya with expertise and ingredients, we will significantly enhance the value of the Canadian plant-based protein sector.”

“At Lovingly Made Flour Mills, we are proud to be part of a collaborative effort that is paving the way for more sustainable, nutritious and delicious food options. By developing innovative pulse-based ingredients and collaborating to develop delicious and functional alternative-dairy products, we’re contributing to the evolution of plant-based foods. This partnership is an exciting opportunity to help bring plant-based cheeses to the next level, making them more accessible to families across Canada and beyond,” said Lovingly Made Flour Mills CEO Heidi Dutton.

A combined total of $16 million has been invested into the project, with Protein Industries Canada committing $5.8 million and the partners together committing the remainder.

Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters. Protein Industries Canada and its members are working to embrace the $25 billion opportunity presented by Canada’s ingredient manufacturing, food processing and bio-products sector. Projects such as these add value to, and create new markets for, Canadian crops, generating local jobs and supporting new economic development in locations across Canada. More information can be found at theroadto25billion.ca.