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CONESTOGAC.ON.CA
Conestoga Applied Research
Conestoga Applied Research

Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

As an applied food research lab, the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL) meets the needs of industry through research and technical expertise. Our advanced facilities are essential in providing solutions for small, medium, and large businesses in the food and culinary sector. Our focus is to work with partners to provide innovative solutions and support throughout the product development cycle, including formula development, shelf-life studies, packaging testing, and scale-up using our pilot plant equipment. 

In 2023 CFRIL was awarded the Minister's Award of Excellence and the Excellence in Research and Innovation award from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. 

Partner intake form

Facilities and services

Product and process development

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Laboratory services

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Packaging innovation

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Virtual tour

Take a virtual tour of our facility located at our Cambridge - Fountain Street campus.

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CFRIL impact

VG Meats logo

Digital simulations for meat plant safety training
The Virtual & Augmented Reality Lab and the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab worked with VG Meats to create digital simulations for meat plant safety training.
A woman looking sideways

Fabbulist connects melanin women with beauty services
Melanin women are significant consumers of beauty services, but the industry isn't built for their specific needs. It is difficult, and at times, almost impossible, to find appropriate hair, make-up and skincare services nearby. Enter Fabbulist, an online platform that helps melanin women find beauty stylists that truly get their hair type and skin tone
Erin Pickles

Erin Pickles leans into tech sales
Taking a leap of faith, Erin joined the first Sales Lab cohort despite some reluctance as to whether sales was the right path for her. She was a dedicated single mom with experience in customer service, but tech sales would be a whole new world.
More CFRIL impact

Our team

Carol Zweep headshot

Carol Zweep, M.Sc., CPP

Packaging researcher

Cynthia Riddle headshot

Cynthia Riddle

Researcher

Nicole Detlor

Nicole Detlor, M.Sc., P.Eng.

Director, Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

Sujit Abraham headshot

Sujit Abraham 

Researcher

Tracy Butt headshot

Tracy Butt, M.Sc., PMP

Researcher

Tyler Williams

Tyler Williams

Packaging researcher

By the numbers (2023) 

8000
Square feet of pilot plant space
$1.5M
In funded projects
70+
Industry partners engaged over 5 years

Contact

See how the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab can help you access faculty expertise, student employees, and the college's innovative lab spaces and equipment.

cfril@conestogac.on.ca
519-748-5220

850 Fountain Street South

Cambridge, Ontario N3H 0A8, Canada

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