Local Food Industry Development

A banner with a collage of two photos including a close up of a machine adding liquid to a bottle and a quality control analyst

Are you interested in contributing to a resilient local food system? Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset and are ready to jump-start your next food venture? Starting a local food business might be the next career choice for you. There are supports in Manitoba’s food ecosystem to help you get started as a producer or developing your next food product. 

Resources for Producers

Check out these helpful resources for information on financing, insurance, and funding programs for new and existing producers:
To learn more about Manitoba’s food production industry and how to get started, explore this factsheet.

Resources for Processors

  • Manitoba Agriculture’s Business Pathways tool provides services to entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations to strengthen the competitive position of Manitoba's food, beverage and agri-product processing industries.
  • The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors.
To learn more about food processing in Manitoba and how to get started, explore this factsheet.

Food Research

The Farm and Food Discovery Centre (FFDC) takes visitors on the journey from the farmer’s field to the kitchen table through exciting interactive exhibits. The facility is located south of Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba’s Glenlea Research Station.

The Manitoba Food Development Centre (FDC) is a fee-for-service research and development facility within Manitoba Agriculture. The FDC provides technical assistance to agri-food businesses, with a focus on innovation and commercialization of sustainable plant and animal protein products and ingredients.

Assiniboine Community College (ACC) Field to Fork research cluster through the School of Agriculture and Environment is an applied research and teaching initiative uniting food-systems expertise for the benefit of faculty, students, industry and community. Programs such as Food Processing for Animal Proteins, Horticultural Production and Sustainable Food Systems complement applied research efforts and respond to the demands and requirements of Manitoba's labour market. The college’s research program focuses on climate change mitigation, food security, sustainable food production and agricultural technology to “feed the future”.

The RRC Polytech - Prairie Research Kitchen is dedicated to culinary research and food development projects with Canadian companies. The facility specializes in applied research, technical services and training to food processing and food service companies.

Get Involved in Manitoba’s Local Food and Agricultural Workforce

Food systems across the world, as well as Manitoba, are facing critical workforce shortages. As technology use in the food industry grows, more specialized skills and knowledge are required to do the job. While this provides more opportunities for meaningful work, we need to act more quickly to fill these positions. Visit our workforce webpage to learn more.  

Not sure if a career in agriculture and food is for you? Think again. There are many rewarding career options across the food system. You will be doing your part to ensure Manitobans continue to have access to safe, fresh, healthy, and increasingly sustainable food for generations to come. Whether you’re a builder, thinker, helper, or creator, there’s an important career in agriculture and food waiting for you. Feeling inspired? Check out thinkAg’s career portal to learn more about the different kinds of jobs in agriculture and food. 

Contact

If you have any questions or would like this information in an alternate format, email us at localfood@gov.mb.ca.