About Prairie Food Link
Prairie Food Link is a “small but mighty” food cluster that offers companies and entrepreneurs opportunities to gather for informal discussions and networking, and builds connections for the food community.
Prairie Food Link is a vehicle for food ingredient and processing companies of all sizes and scales to foster connections and build their businesses. Our events enable ‘meaningful collisions’ between members, encourage sharing of ideas and information, leading to innovation, investment and job creation within Saskatchewan’s agri-value sector.
Initiated in Saskatoon, this ‘food cluster’ is extending its reach throughout Saskatchewan, including into the north. Membership includes food and ingredient processors and retailers of all sizes, as well as their supporters, including educational institutions, R&D facilities, government, investors, financial institutions, and Indigenous economic development organizations.
Prairie Food Link is industry-led, and supported by Ag-West Bio, Saskatchewan’s bioscience industry association and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).
To be a global leader in food, beverage and ingredient innovation and processing.
To drive the development of a strong business environment for the value added agri-food processing cluster to thrive, through collaboration, ideation, and resource maximization.
Why Saskatchewan
This prairie province in Western Canada is a natural location for a food and ingredient processing cluster. The region has:
- Plentiful raw commodities
- Large and small processors located here are willing to partner on projects with cluster members
- Technical and commercialization support is available through our University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre (Food Centre)
- Buy-in from all levels of government.
Director of Ecosystem development
Monica Pollard
Prairie Food Link, Ag-West Bio
Monica Pollard joined the Ag-West Bio team in April of 2025 as Director of Ecosystem
Development. This position provides the opportunity for Monica and Ag-West Bio to work with community leaders interested in expanding the agri-food sector in Saskatchewan to develop
Prairie Food Link.
Monica is a corporate leader, experienced creative, and community champion with over 20 years in marketing & communications, business and philanthropic development. Her personal mandate of building stronger communities to drive success with clients, organizations, and employers has produced impact throughout the Saskatchewan economy.
She joined Ag-West Bio in 2025 as Director of Ecosystem Development to lead the Prairie Food Link in Saskatchewan. Finding a path back to agriculture brings her closer to her roots, since she grew up on a fourth-generation family farm that focused on traditional grains and pulses in southwest Saskatchewan. Her passion for connecting start-ups, entrepreneurs and companies to what they need to succeed comes from her many years working in the creative industry, providing expert solutions where needed.
Monica is a University of Saskatchewan alumni (BComm 1993) and loves opportunities to give back to Saskatchewan, the home which has provided her with so much opportunity to personally succeed.
When not at the office, you will find her creating big modern art or other projects in her garage, walking her ‘Northern Special’ rescue dog in the neighbourhood, traveling, or hosting the next feast for family or friends.
