Minnesota Delegation Explores Plant Protein Innovation in Saskatchewan
A high-level delegation from Minnesota’s MBOLD Coalition is in Saskatoon this week to deepen cross-border collaboration in plant protein innovation, sustainability, and food system resilience. The four-day mission, running from September 16–19, reflects a growing recognition that the future of protein is global, and that Canada and the United States—particularly the Canadian Prairies and the Upper Midwest—are strategically positioned to lead.
The trip is organized under the banner of MBOLD’s Protein Innovation Initiative and brings together senior representatives from leading food and agriculture companies, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations. MBOLD, headquartered in Minnesota, is a coalition of executives from companies such as Cargill, General Mills, Target, Schwan’s Company, and institutions including the University of Minnesota. Collectively, these organizations have long been engaged in shaping sustainable food solutions for North America and beyond.
For MBOLD, the Canadian Prairies represent both a natural partner and an innovation hub in the protein sector. Saskatchewan, in particular, has become internationally recognized for its leadership in pulse crop production, protein research, and agri-food innovation. By organizing this mission, MBOLD aims to forge partnerships that link Minnesota’s food innovation ecosystem with Saskatchewan’s crop science and agri-processing strengths.
“Our goal is to accelerate innovation in plant and alternative proteins through collaborative partnerships,” said JoAnne Berkenkamp, Managing Director of MBOLD. “This mission reflects the growing importance of cross-border relationships in building resilient, sustainable food systems and fostering innovation. We are honored to engage with this outstanding line-up of Canadian protein leaders.”
The delegation’s itinerary is packed with meetings, tours, and roundtable discussions that spotlight the breadth of Canada’s protein innovation ecosystem. Highlights include sessions with Protein Industries Canada, a federally funded innovation supercluster advancing plant-based protein value chains; Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, a farmer-led organization that has driven the province’s emergence as the world’s largest lentil exporter; and the University of Saskatchewan, home to advanced agricultural research and protein development programs.
Industry visits will take MBOLD members inside companies like Avena Foods, a leader in pulse-based ingredients; Three Farmers Foods, a brand known for healthy, plant-based snacks made from lentils and peas; and Bay State Milling, a U.S.-headquartered company with a strong presence in specialty grains and plant-based food ingredients. The group will also engage with innovation-focused organizations including the Global Institute for Food Security, Ag-West Bio, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, which play pivotal roles in connecting research, commercialization, and policy.
This week’s mission is made possible with the support of Protein Industries Canada, Ag-West Bio, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, underscoring the shared interest in fostering a binational “protein highway” that links Saskatchewan and Minnesota. Both regions are already globally competitive in crop production and food processing, but leaders see opportunities to go further by integrating research, investment, and supply chain development.
The collaboration is not one-way. In October, delegations from Saskatoon and Regina will travel to Minneapolis as part of a reciprocal exchange. Their visit will coincide with the Bridge2Food North America conference, an international gathering of plant-based and alternative protein leaders, which MBOLD is co-hosting. This back-and-forth structure ensures that both sides not only showcase their strengths but also explore opportunities for joint ventures, research collaborations, and supply chain linkages.
For local leaders in Saskatchewan, hosting MBOLD’s delegation is about more than hospitality—it is about positioning the province as a global center of excellence in protein. Erin Lawson, CEO of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), emphasized that the synergies between Minnesota and Saskatchewan create a unique competitive advantage.
“We are excited to welcome food and agriculture leaders to Saskatoon as part of the MBOLD delegation, and to conduct a reciprocal mission to Minnesota this October,” Lawson said. “Minnesota and Saskatchewan, often called the protein highway, are powerhouse regions with the capacity to seize opportunities in the global agriculture industry. From sustainable crop production to engineering biology, our strengths position us to deliver the healthy, responsibly produced food the world demands.”
The idea of a “protein highway” is increasingly used to describe the corridor stretching from the Canadian Prairies through the U.S. Midwest. This geographic band is home to some of the most productive farmland in the world, producing soybeans, pulses, canola, oats, and other crops that serve as the foundation for plant-based protein ingredients. By linking research institutions, processors, and consumer-facing brands along this corridor, leaders believe they can create an integrated value chain that is globally competitive.
Beyond the immediate benefits of networking and site visits, this mission represents a larger trend in the food industry: the shift toward collaborative innovation to tackle global challenges. Climate change, supply chain disruptions, and consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable diets are reshaping the agri-food sector. Plant-based and alternative proteins are widely seen as a key solution, offering lower environmental footprints compared to traditional animal protein while meeting rising global protein demand.
By working together, regions like Minnesota and Saskatchewan can share best practices in sustainable crop production, explore joint research in protein extraction and ingredient functionality, and develop new markets for value-added products. These kinds of collaborations also create opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups who can plug into cross-border networks and scale more rapidly.
For MBOLD, this mission builds on a track record of convening leaders to solve systemic challenges in food and agriculture. The coalition has previously spearheaded initiatives around food waste reduction, packaging innovation, and workforce development. Its Protein Innovation Initiative, launched to accelerate plant and alternative protein development, reflects the coalition’s commitment to addressing both business opportunity and societal need.
For Saskatchewan, the timing is also significant. The province continues to attract investment in protein processing facilities, including pea protein fractionation plants and oat ingredient processors, which complement its vast crop production. By connecting with Minnesota companies and institutions, Saskatchewan can expand its access to downstream markets, while Minnesota firms can gain direct ties to world-class suppliers and research expertise.
As the MBOLD delegation concludes its visit, participants on both sides are expected to walk away with not only new connections but also concrete opportunities for collaboration. The stage will then be set for October’s reciprocal mission in Minneapolis, where discussions will continue in front of a broader international audience at Bridge2Food North America.
In a world facing pressing challenges of climate resilience, food security, and population growth, partnerships like this underscore the importance of looking beyond borders. Whether through shared research, investment, or market access, Minnesota and Saskatchewan are demonstrating how regional strengths can be leveraged for global impact in the protein economy.
