2025 Food Tech Eco-systems in Canada 
Presented by CFIN (Canadian Food Innovation Network) 
10:30 am

The Foodtech in Canada: 2025 Ecosystem Report is a comprehensive exploration of Canada’s rapidly growing foodtech sector. This session will delve into the report’s key takeaways, highlighting significant achievements, ongoing challenges, and groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping how food is produced, shared, and enjoyed. From plant-based proteins to upcycled ingredients, attendees will gain insights into how Canada is addressing global challenges and advancing its position as a foodtech trailblazer. Emerging Canadian CEOs who are leveraging foodtech to gain a competitive advantage will join CFIN CEO Dana McCauley to discuss how the report’s insights are impacting real Prairie businesses.

Panelists:
Shawn Leggett: Shawn is the President and founder of GroundUp eco-ventures, an agri-food startup that utilizes leading edge cleantech to eliminate waste streams from the coffee and craft brewery industries. GroundUp is the only company in North America that currently upcycles spent coffee grounds into both an essential oil and a functional flour and is also a leader in the upcycling of spent grain in Canada. Shawn holds a diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology from SAIT and an MBA from Royal Roads University.

Dr. Hamid Rezaei is co-founder and R&D Director at CanDry Technologies and a seasoned expert in dehydration and food processing technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biosystems Engineering and has over 15 years of experience in advanced hybrid dehydration systems. Dr. Rezaei is passionate about sustainability and advancing science-driven solutions to processing natural resources to create value in agriculture and food industries.

Dana McCauley, CEO, CFIN was the founding Executive Director for Food Starter, a Toronto based food business incubator and accelerator that was recognized with an Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. As Director of New Venture Creation at the University of Guelph, Dana enabled agri-food innovators to transform their inventions into innovations that grow the economy and enhances Canada’s international reputation. She is a value proposition driven innovator who has successfully launched many food products and programs in collaboration with domestic and international food companies and entrepreneurs.

Navigating PFAS Challenges in the Food and Beverage Industry
Sponsored by MEIA (Manitoba Environmental Industries Association)
10:30 am

What Are PFAS? Per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,000 man-made chemicals found in various industrial and consumer applications. These substances are raising significant concerns for food and beverage producers due to their pervasive nature and potential risks.

Join this workshop to explore the impact of PFAS contamination on food and beverage producers including:
Unseen Contaminants: How PFAS infiltrate processes, packaging, and supply chains.
Shifting Regulations: Navigating the evolving legal landscape.
Risk and Responsibility: Mitigating potential liabilities for your business.
Challenges and Solutions: Managing PFAS risks in development, supply chains, and waste management

Panelists
Krista Barfoot, Ph.D., C.Chem., QPRA, SLR Consulting – A Contaminated Sites Specialist, Dr. Barfoot has over 25 years of experience with expertise spanning from the technical elements of project delivery to program management, risk management, policy development, and stakeholder communication. A Qualified Person for Risk Assessment (per Ontario Regulation 153/04), her technical expertise includes strategic project planning, risk assessment, risk mitigation measures, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Raven Sharma, Utilities Manager, city of Selkirk

Circularity in Action – Building a Decarbonized Food System
Sponsored by Supply Chain Manitoba and CanSustain
10:30 am

The circular economy means rethinking how food is produced, processed, and distributed, ensuring that by-products are repurposed and organic waste is returned to the ecosystem. Embracing the circular economy can help the food industry reduce its environmental footprint, enhance food security, and create economic opportunities by turning waste into valuable resources. This session will explore practical strategies for reducing the food industry’s environmental footprint, enhancing food security, and creating economic opportunities through circular practices. Whether you’re a producer, processor, or sustainability advocate, this workshop will provide actionable insights and real-world examples to help you adopt circular principles in your operations. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement toward a more resilient and sustainable food system!

Giving Food More Time: Tackling Food Waste Through Innovation
Presented by Apeel Sciences
1:00 pm

Food waste is a global challenge with staggering environmental and economic implications. If food waste was a country, it would be the biggest emitter. Join this illuminating workshop led by Apeel Sciences, a company revolutionizing how we think about food preservation. By giving produce more time, Apeel not only helps prevent food waste but also reduces the waste of valuable resources and the greenhouse gas emissions that come with it, all while challenging us to rethink what needs to be refrigerated and what does not. 

Founded in 2012, Apeel Sciences’ mission has been to provide safer and more sustainable alternatives to traditional post-harvest solutions, with the ultimate goal of using plant-based ingredients to reduce food waste and increase access to fresh produce for all. In 2023 alone, Apeel’s products prevented 60 million pieces of produce from going to waste, resulting in an avoidance of 9,000 mT CO₂-eq GHG emissions (equivalent to planting 151,600 trees) and a savings of 2.7 billion liters of water (equivalent to 1,100 Olympic-sized swimming pools).

Whether you’re a producer, retailer, or food enthusiast, you’ll leave this session inspired to tackle food waste with practical, innovative tools that benefit people, the planet, and your bottom line.

Jenny Du is Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Operations at Apeel Sciences. Jenny earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Chemistry and her PhD in Chemistry from Queen’s University, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California Santa Barbara prior to co-founding Apeel Sciences. She has also been recognized on Inc.’s 2021 Female Founders 100 List and as Produce Business’ Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. More than anything, Jenny loves what she does and hopes to share that excitement and enthusiasm with others.

ESG Fundamentals for Competitiveness and Productivity
Sponsored by BDC and CANZA
1:00 pm

As businesses face regulatory uncertainty south of the border and the prevalence of climate-related topics in the public discourse, this workshop will explore why ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting and strategy are critical, regardless of political outcomes. Join our industry experts from BDC and CANZA as they share insights into how ESG fundamentals not only enhance compliance but drive productivity and competitiveness in the agri-food and agri-food processing sectors.

Workshop Objectives

• Understand ESG’s Strategic Importance: Learn why ESG should be a core part of your business strategy, irrespective of shifting political dynamics in Canada or the U.S.
• Focus on Productivity and Competitiveness: Explore how ESG principles can enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and market positioning.
• Bridge Regulatory and Market Gaps: Gain clarity on emerging ESG regulations and practical approaches to prepare your business.
• Leverage ESG as a Market Advantage: Learn how creating markets for ESG-related benefits can transform value chains and support sustainable growth.

Panelists:
Nick Betts, Managing Director, CANZA: Nick is the inaugural Managing Director for the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food. He is an action-driven, strategy-guided leader in building and deploying opportunities that drive positive climate impact across the agri-food industry. With a background spanning roles in farm associations, agricultural ministries, international industry associations, and global climate consulting, Nick’s unique perspective and experiences catalyze innovative and implementable solutions from boots to the boardroom. Through his 15+ years working in agricultural sustainability, Nick brings a robust international industry and academic network, experience in leading global initiatives in regenerative agriculture and a deeply seeded understanding and awareness of Canadian agriculture and farming communities.

Philippe Achkar currently serves as the Director of Innovation & Impact within the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)’s Advisory Services practice. He leads key projects on sustainability, artificial intelligence and industrial automation, helping Canadian SMEs drive growth and productivity while strengthening their resilience to the significant challenges of our times. Philippe’s diverse background includes strategic roles in the aviation and aerospace sector, focused on market penetration strategies across emerging markets, as well as public policy roles focused on business taxation, foreign direct investment attraction and the integration of southern goods, products and produce in global value chains. 

Beyond the Plate: Redefining the Protein Paradigm through Whole-Resource Utilization and Innovative Thinking
Sponsored by Protein MB
1:00 pm

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion with industry experts, researchers, and innovators. This 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.

Panelists
Dr. Filiz Koksel, MSc, PhD, EIT 
Associate Professor Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences 
Food and Human Nutritional Sciences Department 
University of Manitoba

Dr. Poonam Singh, Ph.D., MSc, BSc 
Professor & Researcher Horticultural Sciences  
Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment 
Assiniboine College 

Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, Ph.D., P.Eng., FEC 
Vice President, Research and Innovation 
University of Winnipeg