Canukshuk’s core value is to develop, demonstrate and promote advanced Clean Production in Canada to reduce GHG reduction and impact on the environment.
The Canadian pet food industry is facing high energy consumption due to rising fuel prices and carbon tax. The entire industry is lingering with the production of conventional dry kibble. Over 60% of Canadian pet food exportation is of low/medium products to the US (Statistic Canada 2021). Canadian dog treats market segmentation raised from 2016’s $371.6M to 2020’s $499.6M with a 7.7% CAGR increase (AAFC Trend Analysis). Our operation demonstrates to Canadian processors with value-adding precedence and reduced operating cost by using low-cost clean energy.
Our indigenous project partner Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN) of Pelican Rapid, Manitoba will work with us through a staged cooperating strategy, towards establishing a full-function processing facility on SCN’s reserve land through Canukshuk’s technical support and distribution service.
Currently, 58% of all food produced in Canada is wasted, and 32% is avoidable. The largest sector of avoidable food waste occurs in the food industry (79%) compared to household waste (21%). The LUCD system developed by CAS will allow surplus food to be purchased at low prices during the peak season, then dehydrated and stored in a non-refrigerated environment as ingredients for human or pet food.
Many Northern and territorial remote communities in Canada are suffering from high food costs (especially fresh produce) and related health issues, due to the fly of fuel costs ($8/lb to ship food to North) and seasonal winter road closure. Our dehydrating technology can be easily transformed into a solution for those communities. With reduced (90% moisture) weight, retained nutrients and extended shelf, costs can be brought down by dehydrating seasonal country food locally, and shipping dehydrated produce from the South. CAS is optimizing the LUCD system for operators of remote communities. Modular units will be developed to process and export local country food and natural resource to the world with reduced shipping cost and improved shipping efficiency (Return cargo from the North are often empty to save fuel).
Through collaboration with partner Indigenous groups, communities and associations, we will offer work opportunities and skill training to programs to help local youth (with and without fishing heritage) who want to start fishermen career but facing challenges from lack of processing skills, fishing seasons, expensive quota and commercial license.
60% – 70% of our skilled production line workers are female. We will provide meaningful training work, and flexible working hours to female workers who are seeking full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment.