Why governments funnelled $20 million into B.C. foodtech over past two weeks

As anti-U.S. sentiment grows in the grocery store, the Canadian and B.C. governments are investing heavily in helping local agritech and foodtech businesses innovate and scale up.

Collecting the biggest single cheque is Konscious Foods, a Richmond-based sustainable food producer best known for its plant-based sushi and seafood products. This week, the company announced it’s been awarded $5 million from PacifiCan — the federal economic development agency dedicated to B.C. — to scale-up manufacturing and bring its products to global markets. 

At a time when consumers and manufacturers in the country are increasingly buying local thanks to the threat of U.S. tariffs, Konscious Foods' line of nutritious and convenient frozen sushi meals incorporates Canadian-grown ingredients, including quinoa, tomatoes and carrots. 

"As an innovative start up, we disrupted the sushi world with the first great tasting plant-based frozen sushi,” said Michael Watt, president and COO of the foodtech business. “Konscious Foods is a proud Canadian company, born right here in Vancouver. This investment has allowed us to grow quickly, win on a global stage and accelerate the next wave of innovation including plant-based Smoked Salm'n, Sno'Crab Cakes and Shr'mp.”

The funding will help Konscious Foods create more than 40 jobs in B.C. and help to grow the province’s exports. In addition to direct benefits for the company, PacifiCan officials said the investment “is also expected to generate demand for the company's Canadian suppliers, boost the local economy, and build prosperity for British Columbians.”

"Just like so many communities across Canada, Richmond is home to entrepreneurs who are developing the creative, sustainable products that the world demands,” said Rechie Valdez, federal minister of small business. “PacifiCan's support means that businesses such as Konscious Foods can continue to grow locally, creating quality jobs here at home, feeding our communities, and competing on the global stage."

More funding for foodtech

The money for Konscious Foods is the second big investment into foodtech in the province as many weeks. 

On February 24, the provincial government announced it’s funding 19 new projects and nine training programs to help tackle critical challenges faced by food producers in B.C., including soil health, indoor agriculture, plant and animal health, Indigenous food sovereignty, and training opportunities. Together, they represent a total investment of $15.5 million, including $4.8 million from the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), matched by industry contributions.

The funding includes a $1.2-million project with Foxy Produce, which operates a produce store in North Vancouver and a farm in Aldergrove. Foxy Produce will test an advanced air-insulated greenhouse that is expected to cut energy costs in half.

Other projects supported by the BCCAI include training opportunities with partnering organizations, such as the BC Blueberry Council (BCBC) and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), which will help food producers be more resilient to climate change and create a stronger food supply in B.C.

These projects, the provincial government says, are examples of how B.C. is supporting the agritech sector so that companies can commercialize their technologies and “create cleaner, more resilient and more productive agriculture, food, and seafood industries.”

“Our province is home to vibrant agriculture and technology sectors, and our government is standing strong to keep them safe during times of global uncertainty,” said Diana Gibson, B.C.’s minister of jobs, economic development and innovation. “Through the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation, our government is bolstering our economy and leveraging our strengths to help local agritech and agrifood businesses bring more B.C. goods to market, advance food security and create good jobs for people by growing industry here at home.”

Buy B.C.

The timing of both of these announcements matches the country and province’s push to buy local. 

On Friday, B.C. Premier David Eby visited a Save-On-Foods location in Vancouver for a press conference, where he highlighted efforts to boost local food production. The NDP leader said it has been “absolutely inspirational” to see people support homegrown businesses in the grocery store and beyond in response to the tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Eby also mentioned that Vancouverites will soon start seeing more “Buy B.C.” advertisements, and that the province has also launched a new website with a tool to help people buy local, along with providing the latest information about tariffs and B.C.’s response.

The only thing certain about Trump is uncertainty, Eby added, and the B.C. government is “doing [it’s] best to diversify away from the United States in order to protect B.C. businesses and consumers from whatever is happening down south.”

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