Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, under construction in 2011

Manitoba’s Red River College is poised to become one of Canada’s top culinary and food-testing centres thanks to an investment by WD in its new Paterson GlobalFoods Institute.

The funding enabled the college to purchase specialized food science equipment for its Paterson Institute, scheduled to open January 2013 in the historic Union Bank Tower in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

“Our Government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Yelich. “This investment will help ensure the right conditions to develop, test, and commercialize products to bring to market in the food industry.”

Ray Hoemsen, Director of Applied Research and Commercialization at Red River College, said the new equipment’s advanced technological capabilities are helping establish the college as one of Canada’s leading culinary and foodtesting institutes.

“We now have one of the best-equipped facilities in terms of food preparation and advanced technology, particularly in the key areas of testing, tasting, preparation and storage for commercial use,” said Mr. Hoemsen.

Equipped with this new technology, the College’s students and faculty will work directly with local industry to develop and test new food products and processes, ensuring healthier and
tastier foods for Canadians.

By working in partnership with private industry, the College is translating its knowledge and technology into new commercial food products for large
markets and creating new jobs.

As a result, Red River College is helping create new business opportunities by boosting the competitiveness of Manitoba’s food and beverage processing industry – an industry that represents close to one quarter of the province’s manufacturing output, and $4 billion annually in shipments.

Excerpted from Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Fall 2012 Access West Newsletter. Click here to view the full document.

Red River College – and Manitoba’s food industry – are getting a big boost.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) announced Friday that the federal government is investing $2 million to expand research capabilities at the new Paterson GlobalFoods Institute at Red River College’s (RRC’s) Exchange District Campus. RRC representatives joined the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification to make the announcement inside the nearly complete building, which will soon be home to RRC’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs.
By giving RRC access to advanced equipment for testing new food products and processes, this funding will develop the opportunities for students and faculty, while growing the Manitoba food industry. Adding another branch to its Applied Research activities, RRC will work with local organizations in the food sector, offering College facilities and expertise to help spark innovation and create business opportunities.
When complete, the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute is anticipated to be one of Canada’s premier culinary institutes and a new standard for heritage-building restoration.
For more information on the funding, check out the WD news release.