Thirty Years of FDC History

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The Food Development Centre (FDC) originated in Manitoba more than twenty-five years ago as the Canadian Food Products Development Centre (CFPDC). Since its creation it has strengthened the use of science and technology for the economic and community development of Manitoba. The Centre has been an important technological link in the industry, university and government infrastructure in support of provincial economic development. From the beginning, FDC has been a nerve centre of technical information, professional services and technology for the food industry. The establishment of the Centre was and acknowledgement that many small- and medium-sized food companies are unable to sustain in-house research and development activities.

An agreement was struck in 1974 between the Manitoba Research Council (MRC) and the (then) federal department of Industry, Trade and Commerce to create the Centre. CFPDC began operations in 1975 at a laboratory in Morden, Manitoba on loan from (then) Agriculture Canada, with considerable attention on animal feeds and augmenting the value of primary and secondary agriculture.

The Daily Graphic, 24 October 1977
Construction on the original facility in Portage la Prairie
was begun in 1977 and completed in 1978.
An expansion occurred in 1979.

In 1977, space limitations experienced by Agriculture Canada required CFPDC to relinquish the Morden laboratory space and a new 3000 square-foot facility was built in Portage la Prairie after the city was rated an excellent central location for clients. It was completed in April 1978 and in 1979 an expansion of CFPDC was already taking place.  Its size was increased to 7500 square feet, and the staff grew to seven employees. The need for long-term research projects had been superseded by industry demand for help with quality assurance, product development and process improvement.

The Daily Graphic, 06 June 1983
Increased project volume at the Centre required
a second expansion of the original facility.

By 1983, the Centre’s increased project volume necessitated another expansion and CFPDC received $491,000 from a joint Manitoba Jobs Fund and Government of Canada allocation to complement $509,000 from its own revenues for the expansion. 

The Daily Graphic, 18 September 1984
The second expansion of the facility was completed in 1984.
The facility was enlarged by 7500 square feet.

In September 1984 the 7500 square-foot addition resulted in increased pilot plant facilities, freezer space, food storage capacity, dry mixing capabilities, processing facilities, shipping areas and the addition of a meat inspector’s office.

In June 1991 CFPDC was renamed the National Agri-Food Technology Centre (NAFTC) to reflect the Centre’s national and global potential.

In April 1996 the Centre became a Special Operating Agency (SOA), was transferred to (then) Manitoba Rural Development and was named Food Development Centre (FDC).

In 1999, retaining its SOA status, FDC was transferred to the Agricultural Development and Marketing Division of Manitoba Agriculture and Food (now MAFRI). MAFRI and FDC quickly brought together the diversity of services and operations of the alliance. A commitment was made to present to Manitoba agri-food producers and manufacturers a seamless continuum of services and economic assistance from the farmer's field to the processing plant. The mandate of FDC was articulated and continues to be to help orient Manitoba as a leader in the creation, expansion and diversification of the agri-food industry through value-added processing.

One crucial aspect of the FDC vision is that the Centre house a federally accredited pilot plant that provides industry with the opportunity to develop products and processes that enable Manitoba food processors to gain access to markets throughout the world. Accordingly, FDC planned an expansion and capital acquisitions program and in April 2002 the Centre received resounding federal, provincial and municipal government approval for $11 million in funding to implement the plan. Included in the proposal was a partnership with a brand new Manitoba food processor called Great Plains Aseptic Processors (GPAP).

The Daily Graphic, 30 April 2003
MAFRI Minister Rosann Wowchuk announces
the latest expansion plans.

The expansion includes the construction of an 18,800 square-foot new wing along the west side of the existing facility. Construction of the new building and renovations to the pre-existing facility are complete and was unveiled on April 21, 2005 at the grand opening ceremonies.

FDC is committed to supporting economic development in the Manitoba agri-food industry through Process and Product Development Services, Training and Seminar Services and Library and Information Services. 

In the 2004/2005 year alone, FDC activities resulted in the creation of twelve new jobs and the development of 35 new food products. FDC also assisted in the creation or expansion of eleven food processing companies. Translated into economic worth for Manitoba, these activities have resulted in a five-year impact of a $1.307 million increase in the GDP of Manitoba, and $121,297 in provincial taxes.

Read more about the Centre in FDC annual reports.