Manitobans with a new food or beverage product ready to showcase are invited to enter the ninth annual Great Manitoba Food Fight. This announcement was made by Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn.
“We have many talented entrepreneurs in Manitoba who are anxious to bring innovative, delicious products to market,” said Minister Kostyshyn. “The Great Manitoba Food Fight is a fun, effective way to single out the best culinary creations that are ready to move forward with commercialization.”
The Great Manitoba Food Fight (GMFF) is sponsored by the Manitoba government and the Manitoba Food Processors Association, in partnership with De Luca’s Specialty Foods Store. The event provides food entrepreneurs with an opportunity to fast-track their products to commercialization by competing for product development and service awards. A panel of judges will award three prize packages, with cash and services valued at $3,700, $7,000 and $11,200.
According to Dave Shambrock, executive director of the Manitoba Food Processors Association, the Great Manitoba Food Fight helps new food-processing businesses prepare for the challenges they will face in the marketplace.
“Seeing the product and the market opportunity through the eyes of the judging panel can be a very rewarding experience. It can uncover issues and sales options that the entrepreneur hadn’t considered before,” said Shambrock.
The deadline to apply to become a competitor in the GMMF is Sept. 7. Ten competitors will be selected to compete in the GMFF, which will take place on Oct. 14 at the De Luca’s store in Winnipeg.
“De Luca’s is proud to be a part of the Great Manitoba Food Fight,” said Paolo De Luca of De Luca’s Winnipeg. “Helping local entrepreneurs bring their products to the market is as exciting for us as it is for the producer.”
In recent years, winning products have included Walleye Wonders, Boreal Berry Bar, the Great Gorp Bar, Maple Mead, Apple Breakfast Sausage, Rawdical Chocolate Hemp Cookies and Imperial Cookies. Since the competition began in 2007, more than 100 entrepreneurs have taken part in the event.
The application form, rules and eligibility requirements are available at www.gmff.ca or by calling 204-841-4084.
