Food for Health Research Theme (2008-2012)

|Theme News| |Research Themes Index||Research Programs||KTT Activities|

Overview

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the University of Guelph (UofG) signed a new and enhanced Partnership agreement on April 28, 2009 for research, laboratory services and veterinary clinical education.

Food for Health Research Theme is one of seven themes that are funded by the Partnership. This theme is intended to help guide the OMAFRA research agenda to address the significant potential to improve health through food. A successful research program can change the health of Ontarians as well as provide economic opportunities and competitive advantages for Ontario agri-food companies and producers. The research scope is large and complex but the potential social and economic payoffs from food for health research are far beyond those usually found in agri-food research alone.

Theme News

The most recent items are listed first. Check the research news archive for older news items.

April 2011

Launch of new Research Management System (RMS)- OMAFRA is now using an e-grant system for managing Ministry-funded research programs.

January 2011

Agri-Food and Rural Link KTT Funding Program (OMAFRA-University of Guelph partnership)

List of successful KTT Projects from the Fall Call 2010 - 11 projects were funded for a total of $635,000.

November 2010

Harnessing natures medicine - 2010 Agri-Food Yearbook - This second edition of the OMAFRA-UofG Partnership, Agri-Food yearbook focuses on sustainability from an economic, social and environmental view point.

Research Programs Related to this Theme

• Food for Health (2008-2012) research encompasses food issues relating to health and wellness such as functional foods and nutraceuticals, global demand and the development of new or expanded markets, and the potential for economic diversification and increased employment opportunities in rural Ontario. Cosmetics and biopharmaceuticals will be addressed through the Bioeconomy-Industrial Uses research theme. This program has funding opportunities (with University of Guelph Principal Researcher). Summaries of funded projects can be searched through the University website.
• Food Research Program (1997-2008) focused on three main areas: 1 - Food Nutrition and Health; 2 - Food Safety, Traceability and Assurance and 3 - Food Quality which included value-added opportunities and waste management. The program was funded through the previous OMAFRA-University of Guelph Agreements and is now closed to further funding. Summaries of funded projects are available.
• Food Safety Research Program (2001-ongoing) funds research which helps improve Ontario's food safety system by creating new methods for detecting pathogenic microorganisms and drugs in food as well as methods of mitigating those risks before the food gets to your table. Calls for Letters of Intent are issued annually. There are funding opportunities as well as summaries of funded projects with this program.
• Life Sciences and Agri-food Innovation Fund (2006-2009) promoted and accelerated the pre-commercialization development of new products and services in the Agri-food and related Life Science sectors in Ontario. The program provided funding for projects that clarified or enhanced the commercial value of existing intellectual property and made it more attractive to potential investors. This program is closed to further funding but has summaries of funded projects.
• New Directions (2001-ongoing) funds research which creates new and alternative products and technologies helping the agri-food industry expand into new markets at home and abroad. Industry,rural communities and organizations, other levels of government and research institutions partner with academia in this research program. Calls for Letters of Intent are issued annually. There are funding opportunities as well as summaries of funded projects with this program.

Research Priorities for this Theme

An expert panel met during the summer of 2008 to determine the long term, strategic priorities for the Food for Health Research Theme.

Knowledge Transfer and Translation Activities

Accelerating the transformation of knowledge into use – that is Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT). KTT is a new emphasis in the partnership between OMAFRA and the University of Guelph.

KTT is the synthesis, exchange and application of knowledge resulting from interactions among university researchers, OMAFRA, stakeholders of OFMAFRA and the University of Guelph and the public.

A team of OMAFRA and University of Guelph staff are working to increase the practical application of knowledge created from research.

The Other Research Themes funded through the Partnership

• Agricultural and Rural Policy
• Bioeconomy -Industrial Uses
• Emergency Management
• Environmental Sustainability
• Product Development and Enhancement Through Value Chains
• Production Systems

Contacts:

Regarding Programs:

Simon Berge toll free at 1-888-466-2372 ex. 63535 or locally at 519-826-3535

Regarding Knowledge Translation and Transfer:

Debra Ramdath toll free at 1-888-466-2372 ex. 63162 or locally at 519-826-3162