At Fanshawe College's Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI), we are committed to helping local food and beverage businesses scale through science, strategy, and community. That is why we are thrilled to invite you to the Second Annual Southwest Food Innovation Summit on Monday, May 26th.
This year is particularly special as we open applications for the 2026 Flourish Award. Following the incredible success of our inaugural winner Granny P's (check out their profile of what the award did for them), we are looking for the next innovative product to take home a life-changing prize package.
🌟 The Flourish Award: Win $30,000+ in Growth Services
Do you have a novel food or beverage product launched (or launching) in 2026? This is your opportunity to gain the professional support needed to move from local favorite to retail powerhouse.
The Grand Prize features:
- 🧪 Fanshawe CRI: New product packaging consultation, lab testing (sodium/sugar/fats), shelf-life validation, and a 1,000-unit production run.
- ⚖️ True Leaves Consulting: A comprehensive Regulatory Compliance Package (Nutrition Facts Tables, allergen reviews, and artwork checks).
- 📣 Winston Wilmont: A professional Marketing & Communications audit and strategy session.
Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2026 👉 https://form.jotform.com/260814878853269
🍎 The Southwest Food Innovation Summit
Whether you enter the award or not, the Summit is the region's premier event for the food and beverage ecosystem. Join us at The Grove for a day of high-level networking and industry insights.
- When: Monday, May 26, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 2:15 PM
- Where: The Grove at Western Fair District, 900 King St, London, ON
- What to Expect: Connect with influential founders, discover new distribution strategies, explore the latest in sustainable packaging, and be there live when the Flourish Award winner is announced.
👉 Learn More About the Summit & Get Tickets: https://foodpreneuradvantage.ca/food-summit/
Stay Connected
Don't miss a single update regarding speakers, finalists, and industry news. Follow the Southwest Food Summit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southwest-food-summit/
If you have any questions regarding the award or how Fanshawe CRI can support your product development, please reach out to Andrew Kaszowski at A_kaszowski@fanshawec.ca.
We look forward to celebrating your innovation on May 26th!
Warmly,
The Team at Fanshawe College's Centre for Research & Innovation