Consortium of Canadian SMEs announce plans to commercialize oat concentrates
by CM Staff
The final concentrates can be used by food manufacturers looking to produce oat-based food and beverage products.
DELTA — A new consortium of Canadian SMEs are reportedly together to provide new, oat-based products for Canadian and global consumers.
Plant Veda Foods Ltd., Avena Foods Ltd., HPP Canada and Thirstea Beverages Ltd., with a co-investment from Protein Industries Canada, will develop and commercialize cost-effective oat concentrates. These new oat concentrates will then be used to make new plant-based food and beverage products.
“With support from Protein Industries Canada, these companies are creating new, innovative processing methods for oat-based products,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “This project will provide Canadian companies and consumers with access to Canadian oats, stimulating our economy and cementing Canada’s position as a leader in the global plant-based food market.”
“Canadians are looking for new and innovative plant-based foods and beverages, and the demand for oat products continues to grow. Oat concentrates are an important ingredient in this growing market sector. Through Protein Industries Canada, we will continue to support businesses that add value to our crops and innovate, making our country a leader in plant-based proteins,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
“With our economic recovery well under way, we want Canadian businesses to be able to seize new opportunities for growth,” said the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. “That’s why we’re investing in innovative businesses right here in Delta that are creating good jobs and making Canada more competitive in the growing, global plant-based market.”
Plant Veda and Avena Foods will work together to transform Avena’s specialty milled oat flours into oat concentrates, which will be supplied to Thirstea Beverages and other manufacturers. Plant Veda and HPP Canada will focus on extending the shelf life of the concentrates by using high pressures, without the use of preservatives or chemicals. The final concentrates can be used by food manufacturers looking to produce oat-based food and beverage products – strengthening Canada’s integrated oat value chain and enabling companies to source Canadian grown and processed oat ingredients.
Plant Veda will apply these new oat concentrates to expand their product line with plant-based beverages, yogurts and frozen desserts. Thirstea Beverages will develop and commercialize new plant-based teas and beverages, swapping their dairy base with oat concentrates for Canadian and international markets.
This project is valued at $989,000, with Protein Industries Canada committing half and the consortium contributing the remaining half. The consortium of Canadian SMEs is collaborating to accelerate innovation and compete in the global plant-based market.
