News Future planning Technology
Bibeau unveils second step of Food Waste Reduction Challenge

On May 25, Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food, and Terry Beech, member of parliament for Burnaby North–Seymour, launched the novel technology streams of Canada’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge, an initiative under the Food Policy for Canada.

“The Food Waste Reduction Challenge is revealing the tremendous appetite and ingenuity across Canada to tackle the problem of food waste head-on,” Bibeau said. “We are calling innovators of all types and sizes to bring forward new and innovative technological solutions that will extend the life of food or transform food waste.”

Every year, over half of Canada’s food supply is wasted, and nearly $50 billion of that wasted food is avoidable.

To help spark new ideas and engage diverse perspectives, the Government of Canada launched the $20-million Food Waste Reduction Challenge in November 2020, calling for innovators to deliver solutions to this long-standing and complex issue.

“The environmental, social and economic benefits of reducing food waste are huge,” Beech said. “It means less greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food availability. It can save consumers and businesses money and create new business opportunities.”

The Challenge’s novel technology streams (Streams C and D) are now open for concept applications, closing on August 31. Up to $6.5 million in prize funding will be awarded to innovators with novel technologies that can extend the life of food or transform food that would otherwise be lost or wasted.

To learn more, including how to apply, visit the Food Waste Reduction Challenge website.