The Rural Development Institute at Brandon University has released a report into the growth opportunities from innovation in the bulk food processing industry in Manitoba.

The three companies involved in the study were Canadian Prairie Garden Purees, Richardson Milling and Shape Foods along with their associated supply chains and innovation partners.

"This report provides evidence of the importance of scientific research in assisting and fostering rural innovation," said Dr. Heather Duncan, Brandon University's Acting Vice-President (Academic & Provost). "RDI plays an important role as a partner in understanding how this innovation is achieved."

The study underscored the advantage of partnerships and revealed how innovations often snowball into another.

It also showed that many parties are involved when it came to promoting the health benefits of ingredients such as flax and oats.

"The report provides a good benchmark for our company to measure itself against in the future," says Kelly Beaulieu, Chief Operating Officer of Canadian Prairie Garden Puree Products.

The project was funded by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.