Five companies receive funding to boost value of Ontario grown grains
Grain Farmers of Ontario has announced the successful applicants for its 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund supports projects that increase the use, value, and demand for grains grown across Ontario. These efforts help build stronger domestic markets while encouraging innovation in agriculture.
“The Grains Innovation Fund continues to demonstrate the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit within Ontario’s grain sector,” said Paul Hoekstra, vice president, strategic development, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “By investing in forward-thinking projects, we are helping to create new market opportunities, drive demand, and ensure long-term profitability for Ontario grain farmers.”
This year, five Ontario-based companies were selected for funding. Their projects focus on crops such as barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat. Together, the initiatives aim to create new uses for local grains, develop value-added products, and support long-term growth for the grain sector.
New Protein International is advancing commercial-scale readiness by optimizing technology to scale up the first hexane-free soy protein isolate processing method, using Ontario-grown soybeans.
Embassy Ingredients is investing in state-of-the-art mixing technology to enhance product development and accelerate time to market. This investment will enable the production of high-quality mixes for commercial bakeries while creating new opportunities for Ontario-grown grains, including soft wheat.
Seafoam Materials, in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, is evaluating Ontario grain crop residues as potential feedstocks for its carbon-negative insulation products.
Cedar Valley is expanding its facility with advanced processing equipment and introducing new pita chips made from Ontario wheat. This expansion will improve production efficiency, support product innovation, and strengthen local grain utilization to meet growing demand.
1847 Stone Milling, working in partnership with the University of Guelph, is developing, testing, and scaling a high-protein atta flour made from Ontario-grown wheat.
The Grains Innovation Fund has been supporting the agriculture industry for over fifteen years. During this time, it has helped bring many innovative grain-based products to market. Past projects include food items, building materials, and other products that show how grains can be used in new and creative ways.
The selected companies operate in food processing, ingredient manufacturing, and bioproduct development.
Their projects include improving soy protein processing, enhancing bakery ingredient production, testing grain residues for sustainable insulation, expanding wheat-based snack production, and developing high-protein flour made from Ontario wheat. Several projects also involve partnerships with universities, helping combine research with real-world innovation.
A total investment of $1,710,969 will be used to support the five projects. Grain Farmers of Ontario is contributing $250,000, while the remaining funds will come from government programs and company investments. This shared funding approach helps maximize impact and ensures strong collaboration across the sector.
Photo Credit: Grain-Farmers-of-Ontario-logo