Dairy Farmers of Canada, Bioenterprise launch The Green Pursuit

Guelph ON/Montreal QC, 17 May 2023 – Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) and Bioenterprise, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, have partnered to host a $50,000 national sustainability challenge. The business pitch competition for early-stage companies focused on sustainability in agriculture, food and beverage production innovation is part of The Green Pursuit – A Sustainability and Innovation Challenge powered by Dairy Farmers of Canada and Bioenterprise Canada. 

The competition is open to innovative Canadian for-profit businesses operating in the agri-tech or food tech sectors who are addressing big sustainability challenges specifically in the categories of carbon footprint, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, energy, and plastics.  

“Although Canada has already made great strides in reducing the carbon footprint of its food and agriculture production, innovation offers tremendous opportunities to do even more to ensure a better, more sustainable future,” says Bioenterprise CEO Dave Smardon. “Dairy Farmers of Canada know the importance of sustainability, the potential for the agri-food sector to contribute to long-term solutions, and the value of what can be gained through collaboration, and we’re pleased to work with them to deliver this challenge.”  

Dairy Farmers of Canada is a leader in championing sustainable farming and dairy production and has committed Canada’s dairy farm sector to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, one of the first Canadian farm organizations to do so. The organization recently released its Net Zero by 2050 Best Management Practices Guide to Mitigate Emissions on Dairy Farms guide to help farmers identify and implement best management practices (BMPs) on their farm, including an overview of 30 BMP opportunities for reducing emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, and improving overall environmental sustainability. 

“Dairy Farmers of Canada is thrilled to team up with Bioenterprise Canada to support the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs working to drive further progress on sustainability in agriculture and agri-food,” says Pierre Lampron, President of DFC. “Dairy farmers have a vested interest in sustainability and a long legacy of progress in this area. We are incredibly excited to see the kinds of innovative solutions that will emerge from this challenge.” 

Competition applications can be submitted online starting May 17 and will be accepted until Noon ET June 17, 2023. All submissions will be scored on the problem or opportunity they are addressing, their unique solution, their team experience, and the overall sustainability impact to the agriculture, food, and drink sector in Canada. The top 10 applications will be selected to participate in a virtual pitch event in front of a panel of experts who will select a winner, who will receive $45,000 in prize money and a runner-up, who will be awarded $5,000. Additional details are available here: https://bioenterprise.ca/programs/green-pursuit-sustainability-challenge/ 

In addition to The Green Pursuit, DFC has also become Bioenterprise’s newest sustainable innovation sponsor. Through the Bioenterprise sustainable innovation initiative, participating companies and organizations provide input and share sustainable practices with other food and agri-tech businesses, participate in projects and programs to promote Canada’s global efforts in food sustainability and security, and actively engage in positive impacts on social issues. 

-30-