No, the Food Centre is not a government agency. We are a not for profit organization guided by an industry led Board of Directors.
The Food Centre primarily supports Saskatchewan’s agri‑food sector, but our reach extends far beyond provincial borders. We work with out‑of‑province companies and international clients, serving everyone from small family businesses and entrepreneurs to global multinationals.
All initial consultations, calls, emails and meetings are FREE. The initial meeting will assess where you are with your project, where you want to go and how we can align our services (and external services) to assist you. Based on these discussions, a Product Development and/or Processing contract will be drafted outlining all costs associated with completing your project. Every contract is customized to the client’s project needs.
Give us a call. We have over 300 pieces of equipment to process many different types of food and beverage products. We have produced and packaged sauces/jams, bacon, sausages, dry snacks, pickles, kimchi, jerky, salsa. The list is endless.
We don’t fund projects. Upon initial meeting to better understand you project, we can refer you to funding agencies who provide financial assistance to support product development and technical challenges. Please see our Industry Assistance page for some funding programs available.
Product Development Program – The Food Centre administers the Product Development Program on behalf of the federal and provincial governments. This program aims to foster growth and innovation in the agriculture/food processing sector by supporting strategic initiatives. Applicants must operate, pay taxes, and have plans to grow and build their business within Saskatchewan.
Upon initial consultation and hearing more about your product(s), our expert staff may be able to provide some industry insights that could help you in developing your marketing or business plan. In Saskatchewan, SK Startup Institute is a great resource for business development guidance. We do, however, encourage all potential clients to have drafts (if not finalized) of a business and marketing plan before coming to see us.
Having an idea is one thing but making sure that there is a place to prototype your idea and ultimately manufacture your product to sell is another. The Food Centre is proud to be able to provide a one-stop shop approach for you. We encourage you to fill out our online Prospective Client Form and then have a free consultation with key experts at the Food Centre to discuss how/or if we can help you move your idea to market.