This spring, Manitoba entrepreneurs and businesses will have their first opportunity to compete in the inaugural Manitoba Protein Challenge.
“The Manitoba Protein Challenge will showcase the innovative products our local entrepreneurs and businesses are creating with animal and plant protein products,” said Blaine Pedersen, agriculture and resource development minister. “This event will also help connect processors with retailers, food service and industry experts to introduce their products, learn about current protein industry trends and accelerate commercialization of their products.”
The event is expected to bring together approximately 100 agriculture and food stakeholders, including key retailers and distributors in Western Canada, who will sample and vote for their favourite protein products. The competition will include plant-based and animal-based protein categories.
The Manitoba Protein Challenge will provide Manitoba entrepreneurs an opportunity to fast track their products to commercialization through the competition, feedback and connections with key industry contacts. Participants must submit an application form that describes their new protein product and market potential.
The application deadline is Feb. 7, 2020, and five contestants will be selected to compete in each product category: plant and animal. The contestants will be selected based on the following criteria: innovation, market potential and product story. The competition will be held on March 17, 2020, in Winnipeg on Agriculture Awareness Day in Manitoba.
The Manitoba Protein Challenge is one of many initiatives under the Manitoba Protein Advantage, a strategy to sustainably grow the plant and animal protein industry in Manitoba.
