BC-based CubicFarms, which develops controlled environment agriculture technology, today announced funding from the Canadian Food Innovation Network.
Alongside Winnipeg-born TheoryMesh and EcoDairy, the trio of companies are working on a traceable supply chain for beef and dairy.
The tech-based solution attracted the attention of CFIN, a national non-profit organization designed to stimulate transformative innovation across the Canadian food sector.
By connecting all “players and data points throughout the supply chain,” consumers will be able to pull up sustainability data on grocery store products using a QR code and ensure that the provenance of their food is verifiable at point of sale, according to a statement from TheoryMesh.
“Our team at TheoryMesh is excited to partner with CubicFarm Systems and EcoDairy to ensure that every step of the supply chain—from farm to package—is securely recorded and tracked,” stated CEO Chris Bunio, “giving consumers confidence that they are purchasing high-quality, sustainably-raised beef and dairy.”
Blockchain technology will be used to capture verifiable data at all points within the supply chain, notes CFIN, while machine learning will be used to optimize the supply chain for sustainability and ensure the quality and safety of consumer products.
“In this project, TheoryMesh’s blockchain enabled supply chain technology will integrate controlled environment agriculture with digitization to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the beef and dairy industry,” said Bunio. “We envision that this innovative approach will set a new standard for the industry and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible food system for all.”
Through the Food Innovation Challenge, CFIN awarded the companies a total of nearly $1.3 million toward completing the project. The Challenge funds projects focused on smart product and process development, food ecosystem sustainability, and agile and safe supply chains.
“These projects demonstrate the wide-ranging and impactful innovation that’s happening across the country,” stated CFIN CEO Joseph Lake. “Innovative Canadian companies are leveraging frontier technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and IoT to transform our food industry and sustainably change the way food is produced, transported, and consumed.”
The CFIN announced investments totalling more than $2.5 million across eight projects throughout Canada.
“Ensuring Canadian agri-food innovators have access to the latest technologies is crucial for Canada to remain a global leader in the industry,” said the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne. “Today’s funding highlights exciting innovative projects across that show Canada has what it takes to build a stronger and more sustainable food ecosystem.”
To date, CFIN has approved $6.9 million of funding to 27 projects.
CubicFarms was founded in Langley in 2015.
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