Protein Industries Canada announces investment into new plant-based products made using Canadian-grown crops
Pea and canola protein ingredients will deliver on taste with appealing health benefits
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Protein Industries Canada announced a co-investment into a project that will utilize some of Canada’s most widely grown crops in the development of new plant-based foods and ingredients.
Merit Functional Foods, TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods are partnering to utilize Merit Functional Foods’ pea, canola and blended pea-canola protein ingredients in new plant-based products. This could include alternative meat products, alternative dairy products and other beverages, developed by TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods.
“Canada has become a global supplier of ingredients and plant-based foods. This project, led by Merit Foods, will help producers reach new markets while meeting growing consumer demand for alternative protein products. This will help us find high-quality Canadian ingredients and strengthen the Canadian economy,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
“Adding value to our crops by turning them into innovative food products is a boon for our communities and the Canadian economy as a whole. This partnership will not only benefit Canadian pea and canola farmers by expanding their domestic market, but it will also benefit consumers of plant-based foods by giving them more options for top-quality Canadian-made products,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food.
Protein Industries Canada is providing half of the investment into the project, with Merit Functional Foods, TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods together investing the remaining half for a total project investment of $7.9 million. The project’s scaling up of Merit Functional Foods’ ingredient development represents a significant step forward not only in Canada’s intellectual property potential, but also the country’s ability to utilize its diverse crop selection in new ways that prioritize consumer health and taste.
“Canada is known for our diverse selection of high quality crops, but we have the potential to be known for what we can do with them,” Protein industries Canada CEO Bill Greuel said. “Merit Functional Foods has proven that our peas and canola make for ideal plant protein ingredients, and now TWC Nutrition, Daiya Foods and Grand River Foods will help show consumers around the world that these ingredients can be the base for healthy, delicious plant-based foods and beverages.”
Utilizing two widely grown Canadian crops in the project also presents significant opportunity for Canadian farmers, providing them with new options for marketing their commodities. Sourcing these ingredients domestically represents a new opportunity for Daiya Foods, TWC Nutrition and Grand River Foods, who will also be able to use them to expand both their Canadian and international markets.
"We're thrilled to be a part of this exciting group of industry leaders working together to help solidify Canada as the global leader in plant-based innovation," Merit Co-CEO Ryan Bracken said. "Supported by Protein Industries Canada's generous investment, we will be accelerating the next generation of plant-based foods with our game-changing protein ingredients. Together with this team, we'll make the taste, texture and fortification limitations of plant-based products a thing of the past. Whether used in a meat or dairy alternative, ready-to-drink beverage, supplement powder or beyond, this collaboration and our novel and value-added proteins will lift the Canadian Agri-Food industry as whole."
“The collaboration involved in this partnership will allow us to bring new plant-based innovations to our Kaizen Naturals brand of nutritional supplements that surpass the evolving consumer expectations for health products in Canada and around the world,” TWC Nutrition Vice President of Marketing and E-Commerce Jason Travis said.
“Daiya is a proud pioneer of plant-based food breakthroughs. Our team at the recently opened Daiya Global Food Innovation Centre is excited to join Protein Industries Canada to help realize the innovation potential of pulse-based protein ingredients,” Daiya Foods CEO Michael Watt said. “For more than 13 years, Daiya has led the industry creating plant-based foods that surprise and delight our consumers. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Protein Industries Canada exploring the use of Canadian-grown resources to continue the momentum of the plant-based movement.”
“We are excited to be a part of sourcing Canadian-grown crops to feed Canadian consumers,” Grand River Foods Vice President Jeff Lanteigne said.
This is Protein Industries Canada’s 20th project announcement, and their 19th specific to their Technology program. Together with industry, they have invested more than $367 million to the Canadian plant-based food, feed and ingredients sector. They’re currently seeking Expressions of Interest for short-cycle projects under their Technology program stream, with a focus on commercialization and near-term market potential. They are also accepting ongoing Expressions of Interest as part of their Capacity Building programs.
Established in 2019, Merit Functional Foods is a Canadian company committed to exceeding expectations for plant-based protein, providing the market with the highest quality protein ingredients and blends that offer unmatched purity, exceptional taste and excellent solubility. Merit has built a 94,000 square foot state-of-the-art production facility in Winnipeg, where it produces a portfolio of pea and canola protein ingredients with exceptional functional and nutritional values. For more information, visit meritfoods.com.
About TWC Nutrition
Founded in 1999, TWC Nutrition is one of Canada’s largest companies of sports nutrition products, operating from the centre of Canada as one of North America’s premiere manufacturers and distributors of health and wellness products. With leading brands such as Kaizen Naturals and Bodylogix, TWC Nutrition products reach consumers in over 20 countries around the world.
With a continuously growing portfolio of naturally sweetened and flavoured supplements, TWC Nutrition empowers people to live an active and healthy lifestyle every day. Their product line includes whey, isolate and vegan protein powders, pre-workout, branched-chain amino acids, all-in-one nutritional shakes and mass gainers. TWC Nutrition products are certified by NSF International to ensure their products are tested to meet the highest quality health and safety standards.
About Daiya Foods
Daiya Foods was founded in 2008 out of a love for food and a commitment to healthy living. Today, as an industry leader and one of the founding members of The Plant Based Foods Association-US and The Plant Based Foods of Canada Association, Daiya remains passionate about celebrating delicious food that is dairy, gluten and soy free. Its line of premium plant-based foods, like burritos, frozen desserts, pizzas, Cheezecakes, Cream Cheeze Style Spreads, and wonderful cheese alternatives, including blocks, shreds, slices and sticks, are available in the dairy case and freezer aisle. Daiya also has a line of shelf-stable products like its Cheezy Macs, Cheeze Sauce and dairy-free dressings. Daiya’s selection of deliciously plant-based foods can be found in more than 25,000 grocery stores in the United States, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway and Publix, as well as most natural food retailers. Daiya’s products are also available internationally in Latin America, Asia and Europe. For more information about Daiya, please visit www.daiyafoods.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
About Grand River Foods Ltd.
Grand River Foods Ltd. is the further-processed division of Sunrise Farms group of companies. Since 1983 the humble beginning of one small processing facility in the city of Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, B.C., has now grown to serve a wide range of customers, both domestically and internationally. Their Canadian family-owned and operated businesses produce quality food products from processing plants located in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
Grand River Foods produces quality products in their facilities located in Ontario and British Columbia. Their facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, producing high-quality, fully-cooked, par-fried and plain products made with poultry, beef, pork, seafood, cheese, vegetables and plant-based protein. Their delicious plant-based products are 100 per cent meat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan certified. Their portfolio includes but is not limited to: plant-based burgers, southern-styled breaded strips, Italian-styled meatballs and Italian sausage.
At Grand River Foods Ltd., they make continual investments in their people, facilities, technologies and equipment to ensure that their process and food solutions are continually improving. Their team consists of trained food scientists, product developers and food safety professionals who turn good ideas into great products.
4 Ways Exercise Can Help With Healthy Aging
You have heard many times that physical fitness is beneficial to your health. Ensure that you can spare some time to engage in physical fitness as part of your daily routine. Many studies have been conducted, and they aim to prove that physical fitness plays a crucial role in ensuring we can lead a healthy life. When you exercise regularly, your physical and mental health will improve significantly. You can also be independent as you grow older. Below are ways in which exercise ensures you will age in a healthy manner.
Physical Activity Ensures You’re Flexible
If you fail to take advantage of your flexibility, you’ll lose it eventually. Your range of motion will also improve when you engage in physical fitness. The degeneration process comprises four steps, and they usually progress naturally as we grow older. Fortunately, exercising helps to ensure the aging process is slowed down. Keep in mind that if one of the joints in your body fails to move through the normal range, there will be a limit to the number of activities you can engage in. For instance, you may struggle to wash your hair or even place dishes in the cupboard. The body will also react negatively when your range of motion is affected. In this case, the body will exert additional pressure on the neck. If the neck or any other body part is overworked, you’ll experience further complications, and the degenerative changes will accelerate.
The Quality of Sleep Will Improve
When youexercise regularly, you will sleep better since the body temperatures fluctuate during the workout session. Exercising ensures you’ll have a deeper sleep, which means you’ll wake up feeling more energetic and refreshed. When you sleep well, your memory, concentration, and standard movement will also improve, and there will be a reduced risk of injuries.
The Risk of Dementia Will Reduce
When you exercise regularly, your body will get enough oxygen, and unnecessary waste in the body organs and muscles will also be eliminated. One of the body organs that will gain significantly is the brain. When the brain has adequate blood flow, the body will manage to get rid of the harmful waste, and you’ll be at a lower risk of suffering from dementia.
Your Bone Health Will Improve
When you focus on strengthening the muscles and maintaining a healthy weight, your bone health will improve. Your risk of suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis will reduce.
Are you an aging adult? Feel free to engage in physical fitness! We have outlined the benefits of being physically active, and you’re bound to gain significantly.
National Seating & Mobility Launches Lifestyle Magazine
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Seating & Mobility (NSM), North America’s largest provider of comprehensive mobility solutions, announces the launch of a new lifestyle magazine, Let’s Get Moving.
“Let’s Get Moving is a product of our company’s commitment to our clients,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “We want this magazine to be a celebration of our clients’ vibrant lives and a way we can build and deepen our relationship with them. Our customers are at the core of everything we do, and this magazine is no different.”
The premiere issue will be distributed through NSM’s network of more than 180 locations across the U.S. and Canada. A digital version of the magazine will also be available. Focused on celebrating independence and elevating important topics that impact those using mobility equipment, the magazine will highlight the personal stories of NSM clients as well as accessibility issues and product trends. Readers can expect sections centered on travel and recreation, advocacy, industry news and more.
“In the debut issue and every issue that follows, we want to delve into stories and topics that engage and empower our clients,” said Stephanie Buckley, vice president of marketing and editorial director for Let’s Get Moving. “We want to keep our clients up-to-date on the latest information about mobility and accessibility while also sharing their stories of living life to the fullest.”
NSM expects to release two issues of Let’s Get Moving in 2021 and will measure the magazine’s success as they explore content and frequency of future issues. The inaugural issue includes a cover story on world champion mountain bike racer Sean Simonson and delves into the topics of technology-driven care, alternate funding resources and more.
About National Seating & Mobility For more than 25 years, National Seating & Mobility has been advancing independence and enhancing the quality of life of individuals with mobility challenges. With a network of more than 180 locations, experts and resources across the U.S. and in Canada, National Seating & Mobility is North America’s largest and most trusted provider of comprehensive mobility solutions including complex rehab technology, home and vehicle accessibility, and full-service equipment maintenance and repair. National Seating & Mobility is the only national mobility solutions provider accredited by The Joint Commission for demonstrating quality and safe care. For more information about National Seating & Mobility visit nsm-seating.com.
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Khiron Partners with Colombia Cancer League to Deliver 3,000 Medical Cannabis Patient Consultations
Khiron and the Colombia Cancer League, together with 21 leading medical institutions in 11 cities throughout Colombia, have co-launched the "Cannabis: Medicine for Your Life" campaign which aims to improve safe access to consultations for medical cannabis
Physicians participating in the campaign will donate more than 3,000 consultations, initially available to chronic pain, palliative care and oncology patients
As the leading provider of medical cannabis in Colombia, Khiron has filled over 18,000 prescriptions to date, achieving more than 120% growth in medical cannabis prescriptions filled between Q1/21 and Q4/20 with gross margins of over 80%
TORONTO, May 25, 2021 /CNW/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN) (OTCQX: KHRNF)(Frankfurt: A2JMZC), a vertically integrated medical cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America and Europe, today announces, in partnership with the Colombia Cancer League, the launch of the "Cannabis: Medicine for Your Life" campaign throughout Colombia. In partnership with the Colombia Cancer League and 21 medical clinics throughout the country, chronic pain, palliative care and oncology patients (seeking to manage chemotherapy related sickness) will be able to access consultations for medical cannabis.Khiron Partners with Colombia Cancer League to Deliver 3,000 Medical Cannabis Patient Consultations
Alvaro Torres, CEO and Director comments, "We are very excited to be partnering with some of the country's leading specialized medical institutions to increase awareness and provide safe access to patients seeking different types of treatments. As more external health care providers complete our medical cannabis education program, physician engagement and willingness to prescribe continues to improve, providing greater access to the more than two million patients that suffer from chronic pain in Colombia. In due course, we hope to expand the reach of these campaigns to include additional pathologies and more countries throughout the region."
The campaign will be hosted in 11 Colombian cities in partnership with 21 participating clinics, which will be donating up to 3,000 medical consultations throughout the month of June. Consultations will be provided both in person and through teleconsultation channels. The campaign will be co-organized by Khiron and the Colombia Cancer League, a leading institution in the provision of oncology services, with 60 years of experience in the country.
About Khiron Life Sciences Corp. Khiron is a vertically integrated medical and CPG cannabis company with core operations in Latin America, and operational activity in Europe and North America. Khiron is the leading medical cannabis provider in Colombia and the first company licensed in Colombia for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution and sales, and international export of both low and high THC medical cannabis products. The Company has filled medical cannabis prescriptions in Colombia, Peru, Germany and the United Kingdom, and is positioned to commence sales in Mexico and Brazil in 2021.
Leveraging wholly-owned medical clinics and proprietary telemedicine platforms, Khiron combines a patient-oriented approach, physician education programs, scientific expertise, product innovation, and agricultural infrastructure to drive prescriptions and brand loyalty. Its Wellbeing Products unit launched the first branded CBD skincare brand in Colombia, with Kuida™ now marketed in multiple jurisdictions in Latin America, the US and United Kingdom. The Company is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced and diverse executive team and Board of Directors.
This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Khiron Europe: Tejinder Virk Europe President E: tvirk@khiron.ca
SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp.
Report recommends prioritizing physical activity in the context of the pandemic
Leading organizations, experts collaborate to identify ways to get more people moving
TORONTO, May 25, 2021 /CNW/ - A new report launched today explores how more people can access physical activity during and after the pandemic. Change for Good Health: Blueprint for Canada outlines key recommendations, based on input from 22 organizations and healthcare experts, to make access to sport, recreation and fitness equitable for everyone - especially given additional barriers the pandemic has presented.
Over the last 14 months, increased inactivity has taken a considerable toll on people's mental and physical health. Based on studies about the detrimental health effects of inactivity, this could put more people at risk of lowered immune system, heart disease, obesity, substance abuse and increased stress and loneliness. These risks are even more pronounced among those who are marginalized.
Recognizing that inactivity is eroding the health of the general population - especially for those with limited access to resources, spaces, programs or even time to exercise, fitness pioneer and philanthropist David Patchell-Evans partnered with social good consulting firm impakt to establish Change for Good Health. The vision for the project is to prioritize access to physical activity for everyone, alongside education and medical care.
"I believe Canada can be the healthiest country in the world, but we need to change how we think about physical activity. You need to exercise to have good health. It's an essential part of physical and mental wellness. The ability to access fitness options should be a right for everyone," Patchell-Evans said. "Unfortunately, there are huge portions of the population who just can't access the facilities or programs they need to be active. The pandemic has made the situation far, far worse. Inactivity threatens to shorten our life spans, significant lower our quality of life and overwhelm our healthcare system."
Change for Good Health brought together leading experts in the sport, recreation, fitness, academic, community development and healthcare sectors. The group met earlier this year to share research related to physical activity and health, as well as lessons learned and best practices for delivering programs to vulnerable communities.
Based on participant input, the discussion paper outlines six key target areas for action to reach more people with options for physical activity:
Accomplish more together by building the tools and partnerships to share lessons and best practices across the health and wellness sector.
Democratize physical activity. Build accessible and inclusive sport, recreation, and physical activity programs.
Make sport and physical activity a welcoming and safe space for all.
Make physical activity approachable, relevant and relatable. Set achievable goals for physical activity and involve marginalized communities in developing programs.
Ensure those who deliver programming are equipped to address the social and mental health impacts of physical inactivity.
Start early with health literacy. Incorporate movement at an early age and work to build a foundation in health literacy that will set people up for success.
"It's clear there isn't a quick fix. Inactivity has been an issue for generations, and has been made worse by the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion paper is just the beginning. It reflects existing research and diverse experiences of the experts who took part from many different sectors. These recommendations are designed to guide efforts by leaders in the physical activity sector. We hope they will inform program development, implementation, policy and strategy and make life better," said Paul Klein, CEO of impakt.
Change for Good Health participants will regroup to identify and pursue collaboration opportunities, and innovative ways to create new projects and improve existing ones. Klein explained the purpose is to maximize resources, research and expertise to create the right conditions for more people to be active.
Organizations taking part in Change for Good Health include Abilities Centre, Bootcamps for Change, BGC Canada, Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health, Canadian Tire Jump Start Charities, Canadian Women & Sport, canfitpro, Diabetes Canada, Exercise is Medicine Canada, GoodLife Fitness, GoodLife Kids Foundation, Heart & Stroke, Jays Care Foundation, MLSE LaunchPad, Move to Live More, Right To Play and Unsinkable.
Academic and medical experts participating in the round tables include Dr. Gordon Asmundson (psychology, University of Regina), Dr. Paul Oh (cardiology, University Health Network), Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed (kinesiology, University of Calgary) and Dr. Iris Lesser, (kinesiology, University of Fraser Valley), Dr. Bruce Kidd (kinesiology, University of Toronto), among others.
Click here to find out more about Change for Good Health.
Change for Good Health organizers and participants are available for interview.
TELUS Health first in Canada to provide residents with innovative LivingWell Companion personal emergency response services on Apple Watch
Professionally-monitored, emergency service now available for the first time in Canada on a modern, powerful device, ensuring safety and providing peace of mind for Canadians and their caregivers
VANCOUVER, British-Columbia, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS Health, the largest Canadian-owned provider of personal emergency response services (PERS), today announced it is revolutionizing how Canadians experience wearable emergency support in Canada by launching TELUS Health Companion on Apple Watch. A 24/7 emergency monitoring service provided through TELUS Health’s LivingWell Companion national response service combined with the Apple Watch Fall Detection API and proactive monitoring functionalities, this new service enables more Canadians with health issues or who may be at risk of falling to experience improved safety and peace of mind. TELUS Health is helping advance innovation in the PERs industry by making it accessible through the modern and powerful intelligence of Apple Watch, while offering greater independence and a sense of security to those who want to live independently for longer.
“Supporting Canada’s vulnerable population that is at risk of falling or having a medical issue is fundamental at TELUS Health as we strive to deliver innovative technologies that put patients first,” said Juggy Sihota, vice president Consumer Health, TELUS. “Through collaborating with Apple, we’re proud to be the first in Canada to transform how personal emergency response is experienced. We value our role in helping Canadians, particularly those who are aging, to live independently while giving them and their caregivers peace of mind knowing that they are connected to support 24/7.”
The new TELUS Health Companion service leverages the fall detection and location sharing capabilities of Apple Watch; if Apple Watch detects that the user has taken a hard fall, this information is sent to TELUS Health’s national Central Monitoring Station. Trained operators will immediately contact the customer to confirm the emergency, then alert the customer’s designated emergency contacts, and can dispatch emergency support if needed.
“Tools or devices that help older Canadians improve their activity levels, and monitor and address personal health and safety issues can be incredibly important in supporting healthy aging,” said Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and the University Health Network, Toronto. “What’s significant about this solution is that its design and capabilities contribute to older Canadians maintaining both their independence and dignity, and it also offers caregivers and loved ones peace of mind.”
According to a recent study by the National Institute of Aging, in partnership with TELUS Health, a strong majority of Canadians, particularly those 55+, said they intended to maintain active, independent lifestyles as they age, but nearly one in three Canadians don’t feel prepared to deal with medical emergencies while alone.
At launch, customers with an Apple Watch Series 4 or later can simply add the TELUS Health Companion service for only $30 per month.* New users can purchase a cellular-enabled Apple Watch with TELUS Health Companion monitoring service starting from only $54 per month, a $120 in savings on Apple Watch.* All users must have a post-paid wireless TELUS plan with an iPhone 6s or later, and have the latest iOS installed. For more information or to purchase TELUS Health Companion on Apple Watch, customers can call: 1-888-505-8002 or visit: telus.com/companionwatch to learn more.
As privacy is critically important to Canadians, TELUS Health is committed to building privacy safeguards into every one of its products and services, especially when it comes to personal information that may pertain to health. Respecting privacy is core to how TELUS Health carries out all its activities and users can have confidence knowing that personal data collected on fall activity and geo-location for TELUS Health Companion is done so only with explicit user permissions, and for the sole purpose of informing the trained operators at the Central Monitoring Station to allow them to communicate with emergency contacts and/or first responders.
About TELUS Health TELUS Health is a leader in digital health technology, providing virtual care, home health monitoring, electronic medical and health records, benefits and pharmacy management, and personal emergency response services. By leveraging the power of technology to deliver connected solutions and services, TELUS Health is improving access to care and revolutionizing the flow of information while facilitating collaboration, efficiency, and productivity for physicians, pharmacists, health authorities, allied healthcare professionals, insurers, employers, and citizens, to progress its vision of transforming healthcare and empowering people to live healthier lives.
Through TELUS Health Care Centres, teams of renowned and passionate healthcare professionals deliver best-in-class patient-centric care to thousands of Canadian employers, professionals, and families in more than 15 medical clinics located across the country.
Reimagine Main Street Releases New Survey, Hosts Senior Government & Business Leaders to Share Insights to Get Main Street Back To Business
NEW Survey Finds Diverse Small Businesses Most Optimistic But Signs of Recovery Not Equally Distributed WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Optimism prevails for small business owners as the vaccine rollout continues, with diverse small businesses owners reporting the most optimism about the future, according to survey results from Reimagine Main Street (RMS), a project of Public Private Strategies, that is focused on helping small business and their workers recover from effects of the pandemic. The survey, which polled more than 1,300 small business owners from April 28 - May 12, 2021, also found that while small businesses are confident about the future, there are barriers and biases that are not experienced equally across communities of entrepreneurs. Work remains to be done on the road to an inclusive recovery. Other key findings from the survey include: More than 80% of Black and Hispanic small business owners, and more than 70% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), are optimistic about the future of their business, compared to 70% of white small business owners. More than 60% of AAPI, Black, Hispanic, and White small businesses owners who received Paycheck Protection Program funding reported it was critical to keep their businesses running. At least two thirds of AAPI (66%), Black (67%), and Native (75%) small business owners expect it will take at least six months to return to pre-pandemic revenue, with Hispanic and White business owners only slightly more optimistic. Across the board, women business owners are less likely than men (37% vs. 45%) in reporting that business is returning to normal. Young (<50) Hispanic men are most confident (63%) that we have turned the corner on pandemic and that business is returning to normal. By contrast, young Latinas are among the least confident (29%). All segments of older (50+) entrepreneurs expect slower recovery than their peers with older AAPI women the least confident in signs of recovery (26%) of all segments of business owners. Only about 1 in 3 (37%) of the smallest businesses (<$250K revenue) is confident in their ability to access financing to fuel growth. For larger businesses (>$1M revenue), there is a 28% “confidence gap” between diverse entrepreneurs and their White peers. The survey was fielded in partnership with the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) who are members of the Reimagine Main Street initiative. “Seeing the data cut by race and ethnicity allows us to get a better read on the path to recovery. Small businesses make communities. The optimism of diverse business owners is encouraging, but we aren’t out of the woods. We need to continue efforts to get shots in arms and find much better ways to finance Main Street businesses,” said Tammy Halevy, co-lead of the Reimagine Main Street initiative. Senior Government Officials & Business Leaders Share Insight on Pathway Forward The survey partners will be hosting an event, “Back to Business: Restarting Main Street in the Wake of COVID-19", today at 12:30 pm EST. The event will discuss highlights from the survey and feature conversations with senior government and business leaders including Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor to the President and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. “Small businesses play a critical role in building and strengthening our communities – they create jobs and are the key to sustaining vibrant economies, says Franz Paasche, senior vice president, chief corporate affairs officer, PayPal, who is participating in the event. “We’re so pleased to be a part of this event to highlight how we can work across the public and private sectors to strengthen the financial health of business owners of color and forge a path to inclusive recovery.” Additional Quotes from Small Business Owners and Leaders Joining Today’s ReleaseRamiro Cavazos, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce“COVID disrupted a Latino business boom and the economic recovery should aim to restore it. The optimism that we see in these survey numbers is encouraging. This crisis has taught us the importance of public health access, including bilingual translation of information for our business community. We will continue to work with policy makers to ensure that all business owners of color have the support they need Chiling Tong President/CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship“The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses both financially and through the rise in anti-Asian violence. It is critical that we get through this pandemic as quickly as possible to make sure we build back better for future generations.” Ron Busby, Sr., President/CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.“When our country faces a crisis, the most vulnerable are hit the hardest, especially in the Black community. This was the case with Covid-19, but business owners can help put us on the path to recovery by embracing the vaccine.”
# # # About Reimagine Main StreetSmall businesses and their workers must rebound from the COVID-19 crisis so that communities thrive and the benefits ripple throughout the economy. We are a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector initiative focused on advancing and uplifting innovative solutions to ensure that Main Street is at the center of our recovery. Reimagine Main Street is a project of Public Private Strategies. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.
Youth entries from 25 countries across the world including Guatemala, Thailand, Poland and Egypt raise Creative Storytelling to a new high.
NEW YORK (PRWEB) MAY 24, 2021
And the winner is Cate Cole, age 11 from Marblehead, Massachusetts in the United States, who won 1st Prize for her powerful short story, As Flames Rise.
The Book Creator global competition, Write a Story in One Page, targeted youth aged 11-18. Book Creator, in association with Planet Classroom Network, came up with a challenge that would work easily for young people across the world, in any language. Youth were asked to create a 1-page story book (with a cover illustration) which they had to read aloud.
“The results were amazing,” says C.M. Rubin, Co-founder of the Planet Classroom Network. Clearly, great tech along with great teachers as mentors are enabling kids to be more creative and imaginative than ever. Over 480 stories by young people were received during the pandemic from 25 countries including Guatemala, Thailand, Poland, and Egypt.”
"Thank you to Planet Classroom for working with us to help create a global audience for these young authors. We were blown away with the quality (and quantity!) of the entries to our competition. We are thrilled to be able to showcase such diverse talent from around the world. Thank you to everyone who entered!"
Cate Cole’s winning entry, As Flames Rise, is an edge of your seat short story about how a crisis can change our lives in a second. Told from the POV of her story’s main character, a lone wolf, animals surrounded by a ferocious forest fire work together to overcome their fear and survive.
Book Creator launched September 2011. From day one, teachers started using it in their classrooms, praising its simplicity and suggesting ways it could be improved. Since then the company hasn’t looked back. Book Creator has reached no.1 on the iTunes App Store in 90+ countries. Over 100 million ebooks have been created with our app worldwide. It’s one of the essential apps for schools using iPads. In 2017 the app expanded further, launching out in the Chrome browser and finding a new audience among Chromebook schools and those not using iPads. The web version of Book Creator continues to grow and push the boundaries of creativity in technology.
About The Planet Classroom Network
The Planet Classroom Network, organized by CMRubinWorld, brings together musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers, learning innovators and emerging technologists from all over the world to entertain, educate and engage youth, and to provide a rich cultural experience at a time when art and learning institutions everywhere are not accessible. Curators and content contributors include Global Nomads, Global Oneness, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Commffest, KIDS FIRST!, Dream a Dream Foundation, OddWorld Inhabitants, Psyon Games, Challenge 59, LXL Ideas, Alliance for Young Artists & Writers/Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Creative Visions Foundation, Battery Dance, SIMA Classroom, Young Voices for the Planet, Bard Conservatory, Taking It Global, Materials for the Arts, Book Creator, Addition and Art, XTalks, NFFTY, Young People’s Chorus of New York City, The International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace, Ryan Wong Classroom, The Global Search for Education, Voice America, Rocketium and Brandartica. Young people from around the world played a significant role in conceptualizing, creating, and producing the network’s vision and programming.
Stem Holdings d/b/a Driven By Stem and Tinley Beverage Create Home Delivery Solution for Cannabis Beverages in California
LOS ANGELES and BOCA RATON, Fla. and TORONTO, May 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stem Holdings (OTCQX:STMH, CSE:STEM) (“Stem”) and The Tinley Beverage Company Inc. (CSE:TNY, OTC:TNYBF) (“Tinley's” and, together with Stem, the “Companies”) are pleased to announce the integration of Stem’s technology into Tinley’s website, enabling a fast home delivery solution for cannabis-infused beverages throughout the State of California.
Led by Adam Berk, who was the founder and CEO of the first patented online food ordering company in the U.S., Osmio, which became GrubHub, Stem’s licensed, proprietary home delivery network Budee™ reaches 92% of California’s population for delivery within two (2) hours or by a scheduled time. Stem achieves this through their extensive network of employed home delivery drivers and licensed regional non-storefront retail storage facilities. The platform also offers robust white label e-commerce technology that enables customer ordering via third-party brands’ web sites. This technology, now integrated into Tinley’s own web site, enables consumers to select Tinley’s beverages on www.drinktinley.com and execute an order for delivery by BudeeTM on their website in an apparent seamless customer experience.
Stem’s statewide home delivery platform will be populated with Tinley’s flagship products, and Tinley’s will offer the option of participation in the Stem platform to the growing number of approved third-party brands who have their beverages manufactured at Tinley’s bottling facility in Long Beach, California. Stem’s white label e-commerce platform and home delivery network will constitute an additional value-added service available to approved third-party beverages manufactured at Tinley’s facility, allowing them to expand their home delivery footprint as an additional way of accessing consumers statewide.
Retail and home delivery options for cannabis-infused beverages are often constrained in California by space and other logistical limitations for beverage products at the retail and last-mile delivery levels. Stem’s platform enables seamless delivery from wholesale distribution to consumers’ homes for Tinley’s and these approved third-party manufacturing brands.
The Companies plan to collaborate further to create a variety of beverage-specific online portals that enable outreach and engagement with canna-curious consumers, who can be averse to smoking, and may not frequent dispensaries. With less than 15% of California’s adult population having consumed cannabis in the past year(1),the drink category offers the most natural avenue for this largely untapped consumer base, including beverage alcohol consumers, to transition into cannabis. These portals can employ targeted channel marketing and messaging, comparable to wine and spirit club sites, which the Companies believe are necessary for recruiting these new consumers.
“Home delivery is booming and is an increasingly important part of our growth strategy as well as those of our third-party manufacturing clients,” said Sven Stalley, General Manager of Tinley’s California. “Cannabis beverage consumers are often new or casual cannabis users that may not frequently visit dispensaries. They purchase for home delivery across more consumer categories than ever before, so this collaboration can help bridge the gap for new and mainstream alcohol consumers to build cannabis-beverage consumption into their personal and social use occasions.”
“Tinley’s growing lineup of Tinley’s and third-party beverages expands Stem’s access to a growing portfolio of high-quality drinks, as well as opportunities for working with these brands on collaborative, drink-specific marketing,” said Adam Berk, CEO of Stem Holdings. “Access to unique products and category-specific marketing was a key component of Osmio’s growth, and the opportunity to innovate and collaboration with Tinley enables us to employ similar tactics within the cannabis industry.”
About Stem Holdings
Stem Holdings is a leading omnichannel, vertically-integrated cannabis branded products and technology company with state-of-the-art cultivation, processing, extraction, retail, distribution, and delivery-as-a-service (DaaS) operations throughout the United States. Stem's family of award-winning brands includes TJ's Gardens™, TravisxJames™, and Yerba Buena™ flower and extracts; Cannavore™ edible confections; Doseology™, a CBD mass-market brand launching in 2021; as well as DaaS brands Budee™ and Ganjarunner™ through the acquisition of Driven Deliveries. Budee™ and Ganjarunner™ e-commerce platforms provide direct-to consumer proprietary logistics and an omnichannel UX (user experience)/CX (customer experience).
About The Tinley Beverage Company and Beckett’s Tonics
The Tinley Beverage Company (OTC:TNYBF, CSE:TNY) manufactures the Becketts Classics™ and Beckett’s 27™ line of non-alcoholic, terpene-infused spirits and cocktails. Beckett’s products are available in mainstream food, beverage and specialty retailers, as well as online across the United States. Cannabis-infused versions of these products are also offered in licensed dispensaries throughout California. Expansion to Canada is underway for both product lines. Tinley’s facility in Long Beach California contains the state’s most versatile and technologically-advanced cannabis-licensed beverage manufacturing equipment. Please visit www.drinkbecketts.com, www.drinktinley.com, Instagram @drinktinleys and @drinkbecketts for recipes, product information and home delivery options.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements and information that are not historical facts but instead include financial projections and estimates, statements regarding plans, goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to the future business, operations, expected expansion of distribution footprints and consumer access, the expected transition of consumers from alcohol to cannabis, the ability to achieve unique channel marketing and messaging, and phrases containing words such as “ongoing”, “estimates”, “expects”, or the negative thereof or any other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results, or that events or conditions “will”, “may”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved, or comparable terminology referring to future events or results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by law.
Products, formulations and timelines outlined herein are subject to change at any time.
COVID-19's outbreak has coincided with investments flooding into nanotechnology-based healthcare companies, according to Pitchbook's latest data.
The investment monitoring platform reported that the sector benefited by £1.7bn in 2020 - £1.1bn more than the year before.
Median nanotech healthcare deal sizes have also doubled since 2019, from £1m to £2m in 2021, while the number of deals in 2020 was greater than ever, overtaking 100 deals in a single year for the first time.
Caption: Delivery of medicines inside polymer nanoparticles, 3D illustration
Nanomedicine was a major beneficiary in 2020; investment into that sector alone has grown 250% in the last five years.
The World Nano Foundation and Nano Magazine now jointly predict the global nanotechnology market will reach $8bn by 2027, aligning with Pitchbook's forecast that healthtech investment overall will top $10tn by 2022.
Investment is already aiding innovation as nanotech researchers and scientists work to improve biomedical devices such as prosthetics, provide new cancer treatments, and develop bone healing therapies, along with more innovations that could transform global healthcare.
Nanotech researchers have found nanobodies that block COVID-19 and, potentially, other coronaviruses from entering cells and developed mask designs at nanoscale making them both cheaper and more effective.
The fast global response to the pandemic was also enabled by nanotechnology, being pivotal in Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine development and Innova Medical Group's 99.99% accurate, 30-minute lateral flow COVID tests.
World Nano Foundation co-founder Paul Stannard said COVID-19 highlighted weaknesses in healthcare systems across Europe, proving that long-term, innovative solutions are needed to upgrade our technology and prevent future pandemics, with nanotechnology as a key player.
And while impressed by rising investments in and recognition for the nanotech sector, he warned against any let-up in this trend:
"Nanotechnology is not only crucial to our current healthcare systems, but researchers and scientists in this field are on the cusp of therapies, devices, and innovation that will revolutionise how we move forward."
"To ensure pandemic preparedness, high-quality healthcare, and longevity, we must invest in nano healthtech and care innovations."
His message was echoed by Kojo Annan (son of late and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan) who is a general partner in the Luxembourg-based Vector Innovation Fund, which recently launched a sub-fund raising an initial $300m for pandemic protection and preparedness.
Annan said: "A virtuous circle is developing between investment and healthtech. Lately we have seen the development of multiple vaccines, acceleration of technologies linked to decoding the genome, the rise of nanomedicine and the use of artificial intelligence to monitor infectious diseases and new pathogens.
“More investment in sustainable healthtech funding can only continue this trend, bringing fairer and global distribution of healthcare, greater affordability, and preventive and early intervention healthcare, all ultimately improving the longevity of life.
"The pandemic has also greatly accelerated telemedicine investment and demonstrated that nanoscience and innovation could deliver more resilient societies and ecosystems for healthcare."
Ends
For more information or to arrange an interview with World Nano Foundation’s Paul Stannard or Kojo Annan from Vector Innovation Fund please contact steve.philp@worldnanofoundation.com
The World Nano Foundationis a not-for-profit membership organisation with 75,000 subscribers and users in 40 countries working on international commercialisation of nanoscale technologies in 16 industry sectors and collaborates with a wide variety of partners, maximising support and funding bringing advanced technology to the world and commerce. This is supported by many industries and academic groups developing and creating a legacy for enabling technology innovation.
Vector Innovation Fund (VIF) is a Reserved Alternative Investment Fund (RAIF) specialising in support for technology companies able to transform and protect global markets, notably in global healthcare, enabling technology, sustainability, and longevity aligned to the UN's SDG principles. VIF’s first sub-fund focuses on ‘Pandemic Protection’, and preparedness for future healthcare technology. This fund structure is domiciled in the world-renowned Luxembourg jurisdiction and is only open to international accredited and professional investors, such as family offices, UHNW, private placement investors, pension funds, international banks, ESG investors and sovereign wealth funds. The General Partners have an excellent track record in industry, healthcare, technology and investment, with 21 exits and total value creation of $2.4billion, including two successful IPOs.
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