Three Manitoba entrepreneurs have won recognition and resources through the Great Manitoba Food Fight to help commercialize their food products.

“Entrepreneurship is thriving in Manitoba’s food sector, and we continue to see new, innovative and delicious food products coming forward,” said Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler.  “The Great Manitoba Food Fight is an opportunity to learn more about Manitoba-made innovative food products that are often just on the verge of growth and broader commercial success.  This competition gives us the chance to support entrepreneurs on their food product journey, recognizing how important they are to our food sector and our province as a whole.”

Ten competitors who have developed, but not fully commercialized a new food product participated in the competition Wednesday night in at De Luca's Speciality Fodds store Winnipeg.

A beverage company based in Winnipeg picked up the gold package worth approximately $10,000, Katy Unruh of Katy's Kookies in Brandon picked up silver (approx value $7,000) for their Cherries Jubilee Natural Lean Bar and the bronze package (approx value $3,500) went to Flora and Farmer in Winnipeg for their Applekraut.

Each prize package will be used to build entrepreneurial capacity directly linked to commercializing the winning food product, such as recipe refinement, package design, marketing, workshops, trade shows, business management and food processing, safety and handling.

The Great Manitoba Food Fight is sponsored by the Manitoba government and Food & Beverage Manitoba, in partnership with De Luca’s.

Food and beverage manufacturing employs more than 14,000 Manitobans and produces more than $4.5 billion in finished products every year.