Canadian government is serious about plant-based foods
Canada, the world’s second-largest country and one of the safest destinations in the world can also pride itself in the success of its plant-based industry sector. In June of this year, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau announced that the federal government will be investing $100 Million of CAD into Merit Functional Foods. One of the leading North American manufacturers of plant-based protein. “As people around the world start eating more plant-based products, we have an opportunity to bring together Canadian innovation and Canadian crops, and a chance to create good, well-paying jobs,” said Trudeau.
By stimulating the plant-based protein production sector’s expansion to keep up with the global demands, the prime minister also saw this as an opportunity for the creation of new jobs for Canadians in these newly built facilities. Canadian government invested in its plant-based protein manufacturers in the past, but this most recent investment is seen as a move to facilitate the growth. The annual growth of plant-based protein is projected to grow at a 14% rate by 2024 and about 40% of Canadians have also adopted the flexitarian diet, according to National Research Council Canada.
Why do so many food manufacturers choose Canada?
Canada was often testing grounds for a variety of meatless products by the world’s leading food chains and many people often wonder why? “Why Canada is so often a guinea pig for multinational companies?” one reader asked. Well, for a variety of factors. Demographics, resources, financial risks, and so on. According to a Bloomberg report, “You can take the greater Toronto area and advertise, and you have a significant portion of Canada all in this one area,” said Bruce Winder, co-founder & partner at the Retail Advisors Network in Toronto. “Companies want to test something and not break the piggy bank if it fails.” Impossible Foods company, as a part of their rapid global expansion, launched its plant-based patties and other products in September of 2020 “in response to overwhelming demand.” Company’s official website states.
Some of Canada’s popular plant-based brands
Canada, just like the US, has its share of successful pioneers and startups in the realm of plant-based patties. The Modern Meat, TMRW Foods, Green Space Brands, Lightlife Foods, Earth’s Own Foods amongst an evergrowing list of companies. This growth in plant-based foods naturally demanded a formation of a regulatory body under the name Plant-Based Foods of Canada that would facilitate various processes between the plant-based foods companies, government institutions, and the public. Most of these Canadian products are available for purchase in the States and have great reviews amongst the consumers of plant-based burger patties in the US.