Food Prototype Development Using an Undervalued Blueberry Fiber Waste Product

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Country Magic (Nova-Agri Inc.) is looking to collaborate with Holland College Canada's Smartest Kitchen (CSK) to explore the development potential of their blueberry fiber waste. Country Magic currently produces BLOO, a unique blueberry juice made from a proprietary process that contains no added sugar, artificial flavours or preservatives. During the production of BLOO, the blueberry juice is extracted and the remaining blueberry fiber is collected and sold as an undervalued powder. In their current operation, 2,000 lbs of fiber is grinded into a fine powder and sold at very low margins. Demand for BLOO is increasing year over year and Country Magic is projecting up to 40,000 lbs of blueberry fiber waste going forward. The goal of this collaboration between CSK and Country Magic, is to conduct research on the potential for blueberry fiber to be used as an ingredient in products, thus creating a new revenue stream from what is currently undervalued powder. Canada's Smartest Kitchen would work closely with Country Magic to test how the fiber reacts under baking conditions, freezing conditions and other processing conditions. Several food product prototypes will be created as a result of this collaboration. A full sensory evaluation of the products and the fiber ingredient will be carried out. CSK will also examine the market conditions, locations and potential for blueberry fiber as an ingredient.