Great Manitoba Food Fight, entrepreneurs creating new foods & beverages

Manitoba entrepreneurs with ideas for new foods or alcoholic beverages are invited to enter the 12th annual Great Manitoba Food Fight (GMFF), Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.

“The Great Manitoba Food Fight showcases innovators in the food and beverage industry, while continuing to grow the sector in our province,” said Eichler. “In the past four years, 15 jobs have been created as a result of this event, positively impacting local economies.”

The GMFF is an annual event that supports small and medium-sized agri-processors in Manitoba and helps to accelerate the rate of commercialization and growth in the food and beverage sector. In addition to pitching their product to a panel of judges, participants must submit an application form that outlines how they would commercialize their new product.

Ten applicants will be selected to compete in the food portion of the competition, and three will be selected for the alcoholic beverage competition. Judges will select gold, silver and bronze winners in the food category, and a single winner in the alcoholic beverage competition.

The GMFF is sponsored by the Manitoba government, in partnership with De Luca’s Specialty Foods Store and Food and Beverage Manitoba.

The competition will be held on Sept. 19 at De Luca’s, 950 Portage Ave. The entry fee is $50 and a valid processing permit is required. The application deadline is Sept. 3. Applications that are not accepted for this competition will have their entry fees returned.

To apply for the Great Manitoba Food Fight or for more information, visit www.gmff.ca or call 204-841-4084.