What to Know:
- Lambton College is launching its new Hub for Sustainable Food Innovation (HSFI), helped made possible through a $225,000 donation from RBC Foundation over three years - an investment in the future of Canada's food sector.
- Canada's food and beverage industry needs to hire nearly 142,000 new workers by 2030, and HSFI is stepping up to help fill that gap by connecting students with hands-on, job-ready experience right here at home.
- 600 students are expected to benefit through paid applied research positions and capstone projects, working directly with industry partners on real challenges in areas like AI, food safety, sustainable packaging, and automation.
- This is applied learning in action - HSFI brings together Lambton College's advanced labs, pilot-scale facilities, and research expertise to help students graduate truly ready for one of Canada's most critical and fast-evolving sectors.
SARNIA, September 17, 2026 - Lambton College is proud to announce the launch of its new Hub for Sustainable Food Innovation (HSFI), which was made possible in part through a $225,000 donation from RBC Foundation over three years. HSFI will help strengthen Canada’s food innovation ecosystem by advancing applied research, industry collaboration, and hands-on student learning in sustainable food production.
Canada’s food and beverage sector is evolving rapidly, driven by new technologies, sustainability priorities, and the need for a more resilient food system. At the same time, employers face growing workforce shortages and a need for highly skilled talent. The Hub for Sustainable Food Innovation (HSFI) will help address this challenge by connecting students with real-world industry projects that build practical, job-ready skills while supporting innovation across the sector.
“Lambton College is committed to developing the talent and solutions needed to support Canada’s evolving food sector,” said Rob Kardas, President & CEO, Lambton College. “The Hub for Sustainable Food Innovation (HSFI), supported by RBC Foundation, creates meaningful opportunities for students to engage in applied research and capstone projects while working directly with industry. Together, we are helping to build a more environmentally sustainable, resilient, and innovative food system for the future.”
Through HSFI, Lambton College will expand its capacity to deliver industry-driven applied research and experiential learning in areas such as artificial intelligence for food production, environmentally sustainable materials and packaging, automation and process optimization, and food safety and quality. HSFI will leverage Lambton’s advanced laboratories, pilot-scale facilities, and research expertise across bio-industrial technologies, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation.
"Canada's food and beverage sector needs to attract and train nearly 142,000 new workers by 2030 - close to 50% of its current workforce - and that urgency is exactly what makes this Hub so exciting,” said Laura Hilton, Regional Vice President, Lambton Kent Market, RBC. “At RBC, we believe equipping people with the right skills is how we build thriving futures. Through this initiative, HSFI aims to provide 600 students with hands-on experience through capstone projects and paid applied research positions, leaving Lambton College students truly job-ready for one of Canada's most critical sectors. That's the kind of real, lasting impact we love to be part of."
By integrating capstone projects into academic programing, HSFI will provide students with hands-on experience in solving complex industry challenges while supporting companies in adopting new technologies and processes. This collaborative approach helps strengthen talent pipelines, support economic growth, and ensure Canadian communities benefit from a future-ready, sustainable food sector.
RBC Foundation’s donation reflects a shared commitment to education, innovation, and opportunity. Lambton College continues to play a leading role in applied research and workforce development, working with partners across industries to drive innovation and prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.
Quick Facts:
- Lambton College is launching the Hub for Sustainable Food Innovation (HSFI) in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
- RBC Foundation is contributing $225,000 over three years to support the initiative
- Canada's food and beverage sector needs to hire approximately 142,000 new workers by 2030 - nearly 50% of its current workforce
- HSFI aims to provide 600 students with paid applied research positions and capstone project experience
- Research focus areas include: artificial intelligence for food production, environmentally sustainable materials and packaging, automation and process optimization, and food safety and quality
- HSFI leverages Lambton College's advanced laboratories, pilot-scale facilities, and research expertise in bio-industrial technologies, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation
- HSFI supports both student workforce readiness and industry adoption of new technologies and processes