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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

Virtual tour

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

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CFRIL impact

Food donation

Exploring peer-led healthy eating initiatives for Conestoga students

This project examined healthy eating programs at post-secondary institutions across Canada to identify successful models, particularly those that are peer-led, and assess their potential for implementation at Conestoga.
Food bank

CNERG: Bridging food security and food safety on Ontario campuses

This project explored food security initiatives across Ontario post-secondary campuses with two key objectives: to identify existing programs, especially creative or lesser-known hidden gems, and to apply a food safety and waste reduction lens to those initiatives. 
Cambridge Food Bank van

How the Cambridge Food Bank is leading the way in food recovery with help from Conestoga

As food bank usage in Canada reaches all-time highs, the Cambridge Food Bank is seeing the impact close to home. One out of every eight people in the City of Cambridge and North Dumfries relies on its services. To continue meeting growing demand, the Cambridge Food Bank partnered with Conestoga to improve its food recovery efforts, ensuring it could offer as much high-quality food as possible. 

Our team

Carol Zweep headshot

Carol Zweep, M.Sc., CPP

Packaging researcher

Nicole Detlor

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

Director, Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab

Tyler Williams

Tyler Williams

Senior packaging researcher

By the numbers (2024) 

Partners
Active projects
Students hired

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.

850 Fountain Street South

Cambridge, Ontario N3H 0A8, Canada

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