FOOD ACCELERATOR FOR WOMEN AWARDS BORDERTOWN MILLING $5000 PRIZE

Saskatoon, SK – Last week, 14 women-owned food processing companies from across the Prairie Provinces competed for $5,000 cash as a part of a food business accelerator. A Saskatchewan flour company, Bordertown Milling took home the grand prize for the uniqueness of their milling process to produce a fine texture and versatile packaging.  Alberta-based companies Nutrimeals and The Chai Wallahs placed second and third, respectively. 

The competition marked the grand conclusion of a 10-week sales development curriculum, called the AWESOME Accelerator, a niche and competitive program developed and led by the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre. The virtual experience provides high potential agri-food companies with advanced manufacturing knowledge, exclusive mentors, Canada-wide peer connections to the food and beverage manufacturing industry. These companies, headquartered in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, have ambitious plans to grow in strategic domestic and international markets. This cohort was presented by FCC, the only lender 100% invested in Canadian agriculture and food.

“Joining the Accelerator provided an opportunity to focus on growing my business fast.” said Christine Friesen, Founder of Bordertown Milling.  “The connections and lessons were specific to food and manufacturing, which is helpful and hard to find. I’m so grateful to have met the other founders. The program inspired me and I am motivated to keep going!” 

The second place prize, $2000 cash sponsored by PIC Investment Group, was awarded to Nutrimeals, a ready-to-eat meal company based in Calgary, Alberta. The Chai Wallahs, a chai concentrate from in Red Deer, Alberta, took home the third place prize – a $1500 certificate to a business service provider of their choice.
 
“Cohort Two raised the standard for food manufacturing businesses in Canada. The women who graduated from the program are unique, bold and talented” said Dan Prefontaine, President of the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre. “We are honored to have worked with the 14 founders and help grow their networks and knowledge in food and beverage manufacturing.

The Food Centre provides expertise and technical services to domestic and international food processing companies. AWESOME provides women-owned food and beverage manufacturing companies with business development support. AWESOME is supported by Prairies Economic Development Canada.
For more information contact:

Shenuka Wickramasinghe, AWESOME Program Manager
Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. 
p: 306-933-7555 | e: awesome@foodcentre.sk.ca
www.beawesome.ca | www.foodcentre.sk.ca