Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) has recognized Dan Prefontaine, President of the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre Inc. with the Pulse Promoter award. The announcement and award ceremony took place during SPG’s annual general meeting on Monday, January 13, 2020. Dan was chosen for his many years of work and leadership at the Food Centre, helping grow the use of pulse ingredients in food products on a global scale.
“Under Dan’s leadership, the Food Industry Development Centre has developed a national and international reputation as pulse ingredient experts,” Says Brad Blackwell, Chair of SPG. “Dan and his team are consistently engaged by companies to support the development of new pulse-based food products and have helped grow the interest amongst companies in using pulse ingredients.”
Dan has made the advancement of food processing in Saskatchewan the focus of much of his career. In 2000 Dan was appointed President of The Food Centre. Since then, Dan and his team of experts have helped more than 300 Saskatchewan agri-food companies as well as large global food companies develop and launch over 800 new product lines that incorporate Saskatchewan ingredients.
“Throughout his time with the Centre, Dan, along with his tremendous team, has been tireless in their efforts to help increase the utilization of Saskatchewan pulse ingredients in food products around the globe,” says Carl Potts, SPG Executive Director. “Opportunities for increased pulse utilization in agri-food products led SPG to provide major financial support for the creation of the new Food Centre in 2016 to build capacity and help Dan and his team continue to expand their work with pulses.”
The Pulse Promoter Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of Saskatchewan’s pulse industry in the areas of production, marketing, promotion, research, extension, processing, management, and/or innovation. The Pulse Promoter Award is supported in partnership with BASF Canada.
Accountable to and funded by growers, SPG’s strategic direction is guided by a seven member, grower-elected, Board of Directors. SPG’s mission is to provide leadership for profitable growth for Saskatchewan pulses.
