Welcome to Associate Showcase, where we highlight the incredible work of our diverse network of ProteinMB Associates. Each month, we will spotlight an organization or individual making waves in the sustainable protein ecosystem. From innovative practices to industry leadership, these showcases are a chance to celebrate and learn from the contributions of those driving positive change and shaping the future of sustainable food production. 

The month we are showcasing Assiniboine College!

Assiniboine College (AC) is our associate showcase for the month! AC is an innovative college based in Brandon, Manitoba. They offer diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and continuing education programs in a variety of fields which include agriculture, environment, business, health and human service, trades, and technology. With a focus on Indigenous community development, AC provides programming in more than 20 communities across Manitoba.  

The Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment has a breadth of programming that touches on labour market development, applied research, and collaboration in the agriculture, environmental, and food sectors. The Prairie Innovation Center (PIC) for Sustainable Agriculture will be a one-of-a-kind Canadian college project that will bring together collaborative learning space, applied research labs and multipurpose spaces that will serve both the college community and agriculture industry. The center will support new programs for labour market development, applied research, and industry engagement. 

AC and ProteinMB collaborate in the strategic areas of Information & Knowledge, Workforce, Sustainable Protein: the industry, Innovation, Working Together, and Soil, Ecosystems, and Biodiversity. 

Manitoba’s Sustainable Protein Advantage strategy is comprised of Ten Strategic Areas of Sustainable Protein. These areas were developed as the Sustainable Protein Impact Map: A Collaborative Action Framework, which provides the strategic direction in how we will meet the industry’s ultimate goal.

Branding, Marketing and Communications (BMC)

Food and Beverage Manitoba is hosting their annual CULTIVATE Sustainability Conference and Trade Show - Food & Beverage Manitoba in Winnipeg on March 13.  Get your tickets or reserve your booth today.

ProteinMB is hosting a panel discussion at the event, "Beyond the Plate: Redefining the Protein Paradigm through Whole-Resource Utilization and Innovative Thinking" Join us for a dynamic discussion with industry experts, researchers, and innovators.

The session will highlight groundbreaking research and out-of-the-box thinking that could transform how we produce, consume, and perceive protein. From leveraging the whole plant or animal to creating new markets for by-products, this conversation aims to inspire and challenge conventional approaches, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient protein industry. 

Information & Knowledge (IK) 

• CFINS – 5 Comprehensive Guides - Canadian Food Innovation Network has launched 5 guides to help food innovators entrepreneurs, and professionals in Canada. The guide’s cover: 
  • Starting your food business 
  • Solving challenges like shelf-life or sample preparation 
  • Finding funding, events, export opportunities, and networks 
    To access the guides: 
    1. Join CFIN for free (it takes just 2–3 minutes): https://www.cfin-rcia.ca/becomeamember 
    2. Log in, go to the Content section, click on Resources, and voilà! 

Innovation (IN)

• RRC Lab 2 Market Funding - ProteinMB was thrilled to witness last week’s incredible announcement of a $24 million investment into RRC Polytech. This funding is part of a national initiative aimed at accelerating entrepreneurship and research commercialization across Canada. 
  
  As innovators in the agri-food industry, we are truly inspired by this commitment to transforming research into real-world solutions. The funding, which is part of a larger $95.3 million national initiative, will provide invaluable support to businesses like ours. It will help drive growth, innovation, and commercialization efforts right here in Manitoba and beyond. 

Monitoring, Measuring and Verification (MMV)

• On January 8, 2025, ProteinMB participated in the Centre for Agri-Food Benchmarking All-Partners meeting, which featured Marianne Haahr, the Lead for Nature-Related Finance at the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). The TNFD builds on the foundation of the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), expanding its focus to include nature, encompassing biodiversity, ecosystems, and other natural assets. This work aligns closely with the ProteinMB Value Chain Map Initiative. 
  
  See the links below for more information
  • Discussion paper on Nature transition plans (Oct. 2024)  
  • A roadmap for upgrading market access to decision-useful nature-related data (Nov. 2024) 
  • Nature Positive Metrics 
  • Nature-positive in agri-food value chains: the why and the how 

Policy and Infrastructure (PI)

• Major reforms to the the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program from the Government of Canada were announced in December.  These changes are poised to revolutionize how Canadian businesses invest in innovation and R&D.  Proposed to invest $1.9 billion over the next six years.  

Soil, Ecosystems & Biodiversity (SE)

• General Mills has partnered with ALUS on the Growing Roots regenerative agriculture program, which supports nature-based solutions on farms to improve climate resilience and biodiversity. Between 2022 and 2024, 115 producers in Western Canada joined Growing Roots, undertaking 234 regenerative agriculture projects across more than 12,000 acres. 
  
  Further advancing these efforts, Assiniboine College will begin training certified crop advisors in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in 2025. Through the Canadian Prairies Trusted Advisor Partnership, advisors will learn about soil health and conservation agriculture. Supported by General Mills, PepsiCo, Bimbo Canada, Nature United, and the SouthEast Research Farm, this program empowers experts to promote sustainable practices across the region. For more information click here

Sustainable Protein: The Industry (SP)

• ProteinMB’s Value Chain Map Pilot Working Group has finalized a summary report highlighting the piloted tool, its potential value, key lessons learned, and recommended next steps for the initiative. The report has been shared with the ProteinMB Steering Committee and the Sustainable Protein Consortium of Protein Processors. It will also be made available to ProteinMB Associates during our Partnership Forum in April. 
   

• A groundbreaking Alberta-based research project is exploring the potential to connect two agricultural sub-sectors: aquaculture and canola processing. Led by Nick Savidov, a senior research scientist at Lethbridge Polytechnic, the two-year study is testing the feasibility of using canola byproduct-supplemented fish feed in commercial aquaponics production. This initiative advances circular economy goals in sustainable protein and could significantly reduce fish feed costs for Manitoba’s growing aquaculture sector.
  https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/crops/feeding-canola-to-fish/ 

Working Together (WT)

• Niigaan Sinclaire shared personal stories and teachings to the CME Staff, CME Board Members and the Sustainable Protein Board as part of our Truth and Reconciliation speaker session. He is an award-winning writer, editor and activist whose written work has appeared in The Guardian, The Globe and Mail and the Winnipeg Free Press.  Niigaan is originally from St.Peter’s (Little Peguis) which is near Selkirk.
   

• Indigenous Manufactures gathering CME - The inaugural CME Manitoba Indigenous Manufacturing Gathering is a groundbreaking event where we will celebrate, uplift, and recognize the impact of Indigenous manufacturing in Manitoba and beyond. It invites organizations focused on procuring from Indigenous-owned businesses, CME members, and Indigenous manufacturers. This is an opportunity to create partnerships that will advance truth and reconciliation in the manufacturing sector and provide an opportunity to hear about inspirational stories of Indigenous manufacturing success.
  This event is occurring on February 5th. Register here ​​

Local Food Infrastructure Fund (Large Projects) 

This AAFC fund supports projects that strengthen community food security and increase availability and accessibility of locally produced food. 

• Priority will be given to projects led by or focused on Indigenous and Black Communities 
• Non-repayable contribution funding between $150,000 - $500,000 
• Project must include a production element and a minimum of two partnerships to enhance community food security 
• Deadline February 28, 2025! 

For more information and to apply, click here 

Call for projects to explore blending of pulses and cereals to create new ingredients and food products 

Protein Industries Canada is looking to invest $10 million into projects to explore the blending of cereals and pulses, as well as projects that only contain cereals – with a preference to wheat or barley.  

Foor more information and to apply, click here

Food & Beverage MB -  FABMb Forward 

FAB MB has launched FABMb Forward, a comprehensive food safety and quality consultant service. They offer expert guidance, customized training, and essential resources to help businesses meet regulatory requirements, achieve the highest standards of quality, and drive innovation in their operations. In-person training for processing plants, customized training for plants upon request, food labeling, and member consultation are some of the topics covered in their program.

Contact Denise Aminot-Gilchrist @ deniseAG@foodandbeveragemb.ca for more information. 

MB GOV Invests $1.5 Million to Support Low Carbon Future 

To help organizations take action on climate change, the MB Government is funding $1.5 million for grants for green projects. These green projects include: 

• helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Manitoba;  
• supporting a low-carbon, net-zero economy;  
• enhancing preparedness to the impacts of a changing climate;  
• increasing affordable, renewable energy innovation and production in Manitoba.  

Eligible applicants include incorporated non-profit organizations, academic and educational institutions, municipalities, businesses, northern and Indigenous communities. 

The application intake is now open and will close on Jan. 25. 

For more information click here 

MBOLD Mentorship Program 

Prairie Fava and Three Farmers Foods have been selected to participate in MBOLD’s Bold Growth International Mentorship Program. MBOLD is an organization based out of Minnesota that is committed to advancing the sustainability of plant, alternative and traditional proteins. The “Bold Growth” mentorship program helps startups scale up with coaching by senior leaders from MBOLD member companies and their Minnesota-based network of corporate food and agriculture partners. Prairie Fava and Three Farmers Foods are the two Canadian companies selected for the inaugural international cohort. Congratulations! 

For more information, click here 

Reach out to info@proteinMB.ca for information on engagement opportunities. 

ProteinMB Facilitated Engagements

Roundtables

• Innovation - February 19

Forums

• Public Trust Forum

• Partnership Forum - April 11

Consortiums

• Small-Medium Scale Food Processors Consortium

Working Groups 

• By Products Working Group

Reach out to info@proteinMB.ca for information on engagement opportunities. 

Upcoming Events:

• Indigenous Literacy Training CME - January 29, Online 

• Agrarians After Dark – February 1, Winnipeg, MB  

• KAP AGM – February 4, Winnipeg, MB 
• CME Indigenous Manufacturing Gathering – February 5, Winnipeg, MB   
• Manitoba Swine Seminar – February 5-6, Winnipeg, MB  
• Future of Food Conference – February 11, Winnipeg, MB 
• Crop Connect – February 12-13, Winnipeg, MB  
• WO ININA – February 12, Ottawa, ON 
• MB Water and Wastewater Conference & Trade Show – February 23-26, Winnipeg, MB 
• Canadian Crop Convention – March 4-6, Edmonton, AB 
• CULTIVATE Sustainability Conference and Trade Show – March 13, Winnipeg, MB  
• Embracing Excellence – June 9-12, Winnipeg, MB