Launching the CAPE Infrastructure Directory

January marks a special milestone for us, it's the one year anniversary of our Cellular Agriculture Prairies Ecosystem (CAPE) project! We’re really excited to celebrate this occasion by launching something that we've been working hard on: the Infrastructure Directory!

Over the past six months, my colleague Lulu has conducted an infrastructure survey and interviews, guided by an interprovincial working group led by our CAPE Program Manager, Miranda Stahn, that helped refine the gap analysis process. With 47 responses, we identified existing assets mostly within the Prairie region, but we've also included some cool highlights from across Canada. The result is an open resource designed to foster collaboration and strengthen Canada’s bioeconomy. Click below to check it out!

In addition, the survey data offers a glimpse into our regional bioprocessing capabilities. It highlights areas where we can grow and improve the food biomanufacturing and cellular agriculture ecosystem. Here are some key takeaways:

• Our data captured an ecosystem that is strong in research and discovery infrastructure, but we're missing some crucial mid-TRL and large-scale assets.

• We identified more upstream processing but insufficient downstream capacity, indicating an opportunity to enhance current infrastructure by developing continuous, integrated biomanufacturing hubs.

• There’s a need for more commercial GMP-grade bioprocess facilities. 

• To address some of the gaps, we could explore and/or invest in shared-access facilities, or even retrofit existing facilities.

• Right now, our infrastructure assets are fragmented and siloed. This points to the importance of supply chain integration and the development of a cohesive food biomanufacturing backbone.

So, why is this all important? 

We are living in extraordinary times, and the Federal Government has made it clear that we must prioritize the development of strong domestic food production and supply chains. This is essential not only for addressing food insecurity but also for strengthening our local producers and boosting the economy.

Canada can be a leader in emerging food technologies, such as cellular agriculture and food biomanufacturing, but it urgently needs to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities. It is crucial that we understand our current strengths while identifying any shortcomings. By gaining a clear understanding of what we have and what’s lacking, we can optimize our resources and funding.

The Infrastructure Directory represents a significant step forward. By mapping Canada’s existing resources and identifying targeted areas for improvement, we can work together to harness our collective capabilities and significantly strengthen our food supply chain. 

🙌 A huge shoutout to the CAPE Working Group for supporting us over the past six months in putting together this Directory and gap analysis. We believe this resource can truly benefit the whole ecosystem.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the Directory and our findings! If you’re interested in collaborating or have any ideas to make it even better, please don’t hesitate to reach out! 

2025 Reflections from New Harvest Netherlands

As we close a dynamic year in the evolution of cellular agriculture and alternative proteins across Europe, I’m both humbled and energized by the progress we’re witnessing, not just in labs, but in collaborative research, policy engagement, and ecosystem building.

Across the continent, the momentum behind cell-based foods and broader protein diversification is unmistakable. National initiatives, like new open-access scale-up facilities in the Netherlands supporting cultivated meat and dairy R&D, are demonstrating how shared infrastructure accelerates innovation and lowers barriers for early-stage ventures. Reports show that strategic planning could unlock €500M–€1B in export opportunities for European cellular agriculture by the mid-2030s, a transformational economic prospect if we seize it wisely with supportive policy and investment. 

One of the most exciting developments this year has been the progress of landmark EU-funded projects that align deeply with New Harvest’s mission to promote responsible, inclusive, and socially beneficial innovation in food systems.

FEASTS continues to build a robust, interdisciplinary evidence base on cultured meat and seafood, uniting research institutions from across 17 countries. This project has made strides in mapping sustainability, ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder perceptions, all grounded in food systems thinking. Crucially, findings from FEASTS are informing policy discourse and driving conversations about integrating farm-based and community perspectives into the future of food production. 

EPIC-SHIFT has taken a broader lens, exploring alternative proteins beyond cell cultures, from insects and fungi to algae and by-products. By assessing environmental, social, and economic dimensions, EPIC-SHIFT is shaping holistic pathways for protein diversification that align sustainability with equity and consumer acceptance across diverse European regions. 

At New Harvest, our commitment to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has never felt more critical. As science advances, we must ensure innovation is transparent, inclusive, values-driven, and attuned to societal needs, not just technological novelty. From ethical life-cycle assessments to community engagement and policy dialogue, the groundwork laid in 2025 aims to lay the foundations to position Europe as a thought leader in future food systems. 

Yet, looking at the EU Biotech Act, where novel foods are excluded from the scope of regulatory sandboxes, a move that seems to defeat the whole purpose and definition of what a sandbox should be, the work is far from being done. The narrative behind this decision is, to say the least, disappointing.  This highlights the importance of being a voice for the field. New Harvest has been actively participating in the European Agri Food Biotech Alliance, working alongside researchers, startups, and civil society to help shape a forward-looking and responsible European Biotech Act, making sure that innovations in Cell Ag are given the right stage. 

Still, the road ahead requires even greater collective resolve. Scaling sustainable cellular agriculture, integrating it with cultural food values, and ensuring equitable access will demand continued investment in open science, shared infrastructure, and collaborative networks.

Your support makes this work possible. If you believe in evidence-based innovation that benefits people, animals, and the planet, please consider making a gift to New Harvest. Your contribution sustains independent research, global convenings, public education, and the development of ethical frameworks that guide responsible innovation. Please donate today and join us in building a future of food we can all be proud of.

Redefine Success

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Small Steps Create Big Shifts

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Turn Intention Into Action

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Make Room for Growth

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.