Prairie Food Link Receives Funding to Continue to Grow Food Industry Network
Summary
Karen Churchill, President and CEO of Ag-West Bio Inc., says, In these times of uncertainty, it is more relevant than ever to build local communities. Ag-West Bio Inc. will engage cluster members and promote the food and ingredient processing sector, manage online connection tools, connect members to training and other supports, add a new online directory for co-packing members, complete research to identify barriers to cluster growth and productivity, and develop and implement a strategy to address the findings of that research.Shannon Sears, Prairie Food Link Industry Co-Chair says, The Prairie Food Link offers members an opportunity to learn and share, from new business startups to Saskatchewans largest added value agricultural producers, in a non-competitive & supportive environment. The company works as a catalyst for industry growth in the bioeconomy through direct investments, aiding strategic alliances, hosting educational and networking events, business planning support, and communications. Funding for Ag-West Bio is provided by the Government of Canada and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.Since 1989, Ag-West Bio has been investing in innovative Saskatchewan companies through its Technology Commercialization Fund. This self-replenishing fund targets early-stage companies that are commercializing bioscience technologies with potential to yield tangible benefits for the provinces agriculture industry.