The Conestoga Food Research and Innovation Lab at Conestoga College in Waterloo Region has won is the Minister’s Award.
The food lab is an applied research centre that partners with start-up, small, and medium-sized food businesses to solve technical challenges, de-risk equipment, and provide lab testing opportunities, technical skills, and production support from their 8,000- square-foot facility.
The Minister’s Award is the top one in the Excellence in Agriculture program .
“We’re very proud of the work we’ve done to support applied research for food businesses across the province, and we’re delighted to be recognized for our contributions,” said Nicole Detlor, the lab director.
“Through this program, the Government of Ontario is demonstrating their appreciation for the hardworking people and organizations within this industry.”
· Other winners are:
· Excellence in Food Processing
The County Bounty Artisanal Soda Co. – Napanee
· Women’s Excellence
Loft 32 – Crystal Mackay, Mary Thornley, Brenda Trask – Guelph
· Youth Excellence
Arthur Lin, Lavender Polo Farm – East Gwillimbury
· Excellence in Agri-Food Education
Dr. Rose Buitenhuis, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Niagara Region
Progressive Dairy – Guelph
· Northern Business Excellence o AgriTech North – Dryden
· Indigenous-Owned Business or Community Excellence o Moose Cree First Nation – James Bay
· Family Farm Excellence
Snyder’s Family Farm Ltd. – Oxford County o Everlily Maples Farm – Bancroft
· Agri-Food Promotional Excellence
Rural Agri-Innovation Network, Sault Ste. Marie o Eat Local Huron – Huron County
· Supply Chain Excellence
Chicken Farmers of Ontario – Burlington
· Excellence in Agri-Food Talent Recruitment
Jennefer Griffith, Food Processing Skills Canada – Ottawa
