While there has been incredible growth in the plant protein industry in recent years, a new approach must be taken to move it forward, says the founder of one Winnipeg-based food processing company.

Alternative protein sector eyes new horizons

Entrepreneurs give state of the industry update, outline what’s next

Satisfying customers and reducing biodiversity loss, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are all top priorities for today’s alternative protein industry. That’s what attendees heard during the “Feeding the Future with Alternative Proteins” online event hosted by Manitoba Agriculture May 23. Speakers delved into global trends in the sector and dissected experiences, challenges and opportunities

Hailey and Cale Jeffries at the Prairie Fava facility near Glenboro.

Fava wins with new Protein Industries Canada project

A string of companies have signed on to boost plant protein, and fava beans are one of the stars

A new $24.5-million project backed by Protein Industries Canada (PIC) includes a group of plant protein companies working to tackle some of the sector’s biggest hurdles. The national cluster for protein is teaming up with Roquette, Prairie Fava, BioNeutra and Plant Up to improve innovation, come up with more diversified products and improve processes for


We need a new research model to address the problem of accurately comparing protein sources whether they be of natural, or manufactured processes.

Opinion: Our protein problem

Sources should be evaluated head-to-head on a lifecycle basis and include contribution to human nutrition

Glacier FarmMedia – The world has a protein problem. To be more precise, it has a protein shortage problem. Once digestibility and amino acid balance are considered, there is actually less protein than what’s needed to satisfy human requirements. This shortage can only get worse in coming years with rising populations, a desire by a

Myrna Grahn is executive director of Protein MB and is seen here speaking at the Manitoba Sustainable Protein Research Symposium in June.

Protein advancement hub launches

ProteinMB designed to provide dedicated resources, staff for sector advancement

An organization pitched as the future “hub and voice” of Manitoba’s protein sector marked its official launch Nov. 2. “The protein industry needs strong, united voices, and places to bring thought leaders together to grow our global market share,” said Greg Cherewyk, president of Pulse Canada, in an Oct. 27 release. Why it matters: The

Bill Greuel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada, announces a $9.5 million investment in Merit Functional Foods in 2020. He was joined by company co-CEO Ryan Bracken (left) and the late Jim Carr (centre), the federal government’s special representative for the Prairies at the time.

Protein industry maintains optimism despite processor’s fall

Investment in alternative protein slowed in 2022 but demand for products is still high

The whole plant protein sector has been hit by the challenges experienced by Merit Functional Foods, but basic indicators for growth are still strong, according to the head of Protein Industries Canada (PIC). “I do believe the demand is there and is growing,” Bill Greuel, the organization’s CEO, said. A federally funded accelerator program for


...protein is increasingly being used as a political weapon to fight climate change, not just for nutrition.

Opinion: Politicizing proteins

Dietary choices are personal, not political, and undue coercion is unacceptable

During the current election campaign in La Belle Province, one political party recently proposed a protein shift in public cafeterias and institutions by offering a menu made up of 50 per cent plant-based protein meals. In the same vein, the party also suggested that 70 per cent of food products served in public institutions be

The Roquette plant in Portage was already well under construction by the time the strategy was announced.

Province’s protein strategy means playing the long game

Deep industry-academic-producer group connections are priceless, but need sustained effort to bear fruit

This spring, the province proclaimed itself halfway to achieving some key Protein Advantage Strategy goals — namely in investments and job creation — yet the Manitoba Protein Consortium and its sub-groups appear to still be in the planning stages. How does one square the two? While flashy figures of jobs created and investments made are

The Stepplers raise tropical house crickets, not the black crickets Manitobans might see outside.

VIDEO: Traditional and alternative proteins peacefully coexist in ‘Stepplerville’

Prairie Cricket Farms began in a tent in a basement. Now, it’s making its way into grocery stores across the province

Inside the barn, it’s always a hot summer night. It’s 34 C, and a million crickets sing a soft but steady chorus. Outside the barn, it’s a textbook, idyllic early-harvest day on a Manitoba farm. A handful of cattle chew their cuds in a nearby pasture. The wheat across the drive is in the late


Black soldier fly larvae a few days from processing size.

VIDEO: Lord of the flies: The promise of sustainable protein in fly larvae

Danish firm sees enormous potential in black soldier fly larvae for feed and oil

A mass of writhing maggots feasting on decomposing organic matter isn’t the most appetizing mental image. In fact, for most people, the role of the fly in the circle of life is probably best not thought of while eating. But for one Danish firm, the black soldier fly belongs in the food system and is

The Roquette pea protein plant near Portage la Prairie. Manitoba’s protein industry has grown significantly since the plant was announced in 2017.

HALFWAY THERE: Manitoba at midpoint of protein strategy goals

The province has rolled out Project ASPIRE to implement its sustainable protein action framework

The province is over halfway to meeting the investment and employment goals within its Protein Advantage Strategy, said Ag Minister Derek Johnson. “This is outstanding,” said Johnson as he opened the virtual Manitoba Protein Summit on February 22. Manitoba attracted around $73 million in new investment in 2021 for a total of $753 million in new protein