NEW TECH FOODS

Alberta Innovates has committed $500,000 to support the Cellular Agriculture Prairie Ecosystem (CAPE) Project, a $2.4 million initiative led by Edmonton-based New Harvest Canada.

The three-year program aims to strengthen the Prairie region’s food biomanufacturing sector by transforming agricultural byproducts into new food products using cellular agriculture technologies.

CAPE focuses on economic development, food sovereignty and sustainability by supporting commercialisation, applied research and talent development. The initiative includes a fellowship programme, an open-access research database and plans to establish a regional research institute.

Mark Summers, VP of agriculture and environment at Alberta Innovates, said: "Cellular agriculture presents a transformative opportunity for sustainable food production, addressing the global demand for protein. New Harvest's work to create a cellular food institute, along with Alberta's expertise in agriculture, will help put Alberta on the map in this emerging technology."

The provincial funding follows a $1 million federal contribution from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).