Canada's plant-based food sector is evolving to meet the increasing global demand for protein. To ensure this development is matched by support for companies to commercialize their products, today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced over $1.4 million in funding for Big Mountain Foods 2 Ltd. in Delta, British Columbia.
Big Mountain Foods 2 Ltd. is a women-owned and operated company that manufactures plant-based foods focused on using quality, local ingredients to sustainably produce alternative protein whole foods. With an investment under the AgriInnovate Program, the company will increase production capacity and efficiency by adding custom, fully automated robotic equipment to the facility. These changes will help commercialize a plant-based, soy-free tofu product made from 100 per cent Canadian grown and milled chickpeas, helping meet the needs of consumers with allergies to soy and special dietary needs.
As people around the world start consuming more plant-based products, farmers and processors have an opportunity to bring together Canadian crops and innovation to help the sector reach new international markets. Canadians are building technology-forward operations to take advantage of the country's global leadership in grains, pulses, and other crops, bringing new quality food options to consumers.
By investing in plant-based innovation to support Canada's competitiveness, the government is positioning plant-based production for continued growth and success today and in the future.
