The United Kingdom's largest bakery brand has announced a $650 thousand contribution to Cereals Canada's proposed Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate) facility.
Warburtons is the first private company to announce funding for the project that would see the construction of a $102 million facility in Winnipeg, Man. to promote and support the use of Canadian cereal crops around the world.
The proposal includes a new building with space and equipment for milling and baking research and development, pasta extrusion, training facilities and offices.
"Warburtons has proudly partnered with Canadian farmers and the agriculture industry for over 30 years to source the highest quality wheat through our Identity Preserved Program," says Adam Dyck, Warburtons' Canadian program manager, in a June 5 news release.
“For the past 15 years, Cereals Canada has played a vital role in supporting our commitment to quality and innovation," he continues. "Our contribution to the Gate project reflects the value we place on Canadian agriculture and our strong belief in innovation, collaboration, and long-term relationships. This facility will help ensure that Cereals Canada remains a global leader, and we’re honoured to support that vision."
With Warburtons' contribution, the Gate Capital Campaign has raised $32,150,000, with conditional funding from provincial grain grower organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as the Manitoba government.
"This contribution represents a close, long-standing relationship between Cereals Canada and Warburtons," says JoAnne Buth, Gate Capital Campaign chair and former CEO of the Canadian International Grains Institute. "We are thrilled to make this announcement alongside Warburtons, and we are grateful for their support."
The campaign is working on raising funds from industry groups, agribusinesses, individuals, and all three levels of government. The federal government has yet to announce any funding for Gate.
Headquartered in Bolton, Lancashire, Warburtons employs around 5,000 people in the UK and produces over two million bakery products each day, many of which contain flour from Canadian wheat.
Related: Manitoba commits a down payment to Gate project
