By Alice McFarlane

Plant-based food and ingredients on display at international conference

Nov 4, 2022 | 1:41 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Toronto played host to the plant-based food and ingredients sector at the inaugural Plant Forward conference.

The event, sponsored by Protein Industries Canada (PIC), Pulse Canada, and Plant-Based Foods of Canada, displayed Canada’s strengths as a supplier of plant-based ingredients with a focus on meeting consumer expectations.

The conference welcomed 250 delegates from 11 countries

PIC CEO Bill Greuel said one of Canada’s best-kept secrets is its strong plant-based ingredients and food sector.

“Plant Forward vaulted Canada onto the international stage – showcasing our strength and commitment to innovation,” Greuel said. “To attract leaders from around the world to Canada is a testament to the respect, and promise, Canada offers to the world in the reliable supply of healthy and nutritious plant-based foods and ingredients.”

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The conference focused on Canada’s plant-based food, feed and ingredients from primary production of high-protein crops such as peas and lentils, to the integrated supply chain that allows ingredient processing to happen near production, reducing food miles and improving sustainability.

Pulse Canada President Greg Cherewyk said the conference highlighted the importance of collaboration among ecosystem players, emphasizing the role plant-based food can play in improving the health and nutrition of food products while collaborating with the bakery, meat, dairy and beverage sectors.

“Canada has worked hard to develop a global reputation for producing healthy, sustainable pulses and pulse ingredients,” Cherewyk said. “Plant Forward brought together industry leaders from around the world to showcase the Canadian advantage, helping to encourage more investment and boost the profitability of our sector right back through to the farm gate.”

Canada has seen explosive growth in plant-based foods and ingredients, with hundreds of millions of dollars invested in processing infrastructure in Canada in the past five years.

Plant-Based Foods of Canada Executive Director Leslie Ewing said Canada is positioned to be a global leader in ingredient manufacturing. She said food processors are now working to incorporate those ingredients into new plant-based food products.

“We saw on display the very best of Canadian ingenuity and climate-focused thinking,” Ewing said. “Canadian plant-based food companies showed how they are bringing innovation to bear in every part of our modern food supply. We heard that when we find ways to work together and integrate our efforts, this fast-growing industry will deliver an even greater impact for Canada and the world.”

It is expected that the plant-based food sector will contribute $25 billion each year to Canada’s economy by 2035 and has contributed 17,000 jobs.

Since Protein Industries Canada was created in 2017, nearly half a billion dollars have been invested in Canada’s plant-based food and ingredient sector.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW