Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta to close down

When we launched Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta three years ago it was to raise awareness and create connections to help realize the endless opportunities the plant protein and plant-ingredient processing industry offers our province.

Today, however, we sadly share the news that PPAA is shutting down.

We did not receive renewed funding from the provincial government for the current fiscal year and without it we simply do not have the money to continue.

To clarify some confusion out there, the government initially confirmed in early March we would receive funding for another year, but then March 31 told us they had reversed their decision and PPAA would not get further money.

While PPAA does receive membership fees, they are not enough to sustain operations. There have been some sponsorship dollars, but they are difficult to obtain for a new organization in an emerging sector, particularly during a pandemic when we were not able to hold our well-regarded events.

“I’m disappointed that we’re not able to continue our work, there is just so much potential for economic growth in the plant-protein industry,” says board chair Allison Ammeter. “I am very proud of all that PPAA has accomplished and want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past three years.”

PPAA’s mandate is connect, learn, share in support of Alberta’s plant-protein industry. Since incorporating as a not-for-profit in May 2018, PPAA staff and board members have travelled the province and globe educating businesses, counties and economic development groups about this generational opportunity and how to be part of it; have connected entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and suppliers to start building a needed ecosystem; and, most importantly, raised awareness and created opportunities for entrepreneurs and industry.

One highlight in particular was the key role PPAA played in attracting the international Plant-Based Food Summit to Western Canada (Calgary and Saskatoon) in 2019, the first time the globally recognized event was held outside of Europe. We were also instrumental in helping to get funding for the federal plant-protein supercluster Protein Industries Canada, and we developed a strong communications program to connect, educate and shine a light on those doing innovative work in the plant-protein space.

While PPAA is, of course, disappointed to be closing down, we are encouraged by the growth in the industry in the past three years and the numerous opportunities out there. We hope others will pick up our work and continue to collaborate with industry to ensure that Alberta captures its share of the global plant-based protein market. A just released Ernst and Young report estimated this to be is at least a $20-billion annual opportunity for Canada in the next 15 years. An April 15, 2021 Globe and Mail column outlines the need for investment and the urgency in bringing about transformational change to our agrifood industry.

PPAA will end daily operations effective today, April 20, 2021.

As required by our bylaws, Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta will hold a final members’ meeting in June. An online meeting invitation with more details will be sent to all members.

For more information, please contact:

Allison Ammeter

Board Chair

Email: ammeter@platinum.ca

Posted April 20, 2021