Food processing equipment to support value-added food product R&D on northern Vancouver Island

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North Island College (NIC) in Campbell River, British Columbia, has received NSERC support to purchase food processing equipment, including general equipment (washing, cutting, drying), specialized equipment (e.g. mill grinder, commercial pasta mixer/maker), and packaging equipment (scale, labeler, vacuum sealer). NIC's facilities serve a vast region (80,000 square kilometers) that is rich in sustainable, primary food products from pristine forests, marine and freshwater ecosystems, and many small-scale agriculture farms. There is a demonstrated regional need and support for building local food R&D capacity on northern Vancouver Island. In fact, Campbell River has been short-listed as a potential Food Hub location and NIC is currently leading a Food Hub feasibility study and business plan funded by the BC Ministry of Agriculture. The proposed equipment perfectly complements the existing momentum toward food innovation on northern Vancouver Island and will immediately increase NIC's capacity to conduct research with SMEs spanning fisheries and aquaculture, non-timber forest products, and small-scale agriculture. Projects involving the equipment will engage/train students from a rich diversity of disciplines including culinary arts, aquaculture, business and marketing, and industrial automation. NIC's expert faculty and existing infrastructure in these same disciplines will enable the food processing equipment to be used to its full potential.