STEP leads delegation at food show

REGINA — Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) along with representatives of the Manitoba and Alberta governments will lead a delegation of western Canadian food manufacturing companies to attend the IFT (Institute of Food Technologists) 2014 trade show next week in New Orleans, La.

IFT is considered the largest gathering of product development and R&D decision-makers in the food ingredients sector.

More than 18,000 of the world’s top food science and technology professionals, representing the most prominent organizations in the global food sector, will attend to learn about recent products, ingredients, and technology developments.

“Our government is proud to promote western Canadian companies and increase access to global markets,” said Michelle Rempel, minister of state for Western Economic Diversification, which is providing financial support to the delegation.

“By helping to increase exports of high-quality Canadian food ingredients, we’re increasing the competitiveness of our manufacturers, growing the economy, and creating long-term prosperity for all Canadians,” Rempel said in a press release.

“IFT is key to identifying trends that shape the industry while bringing together professionals in the business of food, experts in R&D, product development, executive management, marketing, and procurement,” said Jennifer Evancio, STEP’s senior director of agri-value. “More than ever, consumers are looking at their food and wanting to understand what they are eating.”

Located in the Prairie Canada Pavilion at IFT, delegates will display some of the most sought-after food ingredients, such as glutenfree, plant-based fibre and protein sources, unique Canadian “super” fruits, flours and other food ingredients. Trade mission participants have a proven capacity to produce an array of conventional, natural and organic ingredients and grow the ingredients needed to supply the world, the release said.

STEP is a non-profit, government-industry partnership.