Terms of Reference (TOR)
Value Added Food Processing Sector – Opportunity Analysis
Deadline: February 16th 3:00pm
1. Background
Brandon, Manitoba hosts a growing cluster of food-processing and manufacturing companies that contribute significantly to local employment and regional economic development. While the sector is well-established, companies continue to rely heavily on external suppliers, service providers, and contractors for inputs, maintenance, specialized services, logistics, and innovation support.
At the same time, by-products and residual materials created during food processing remain under-utilized, presenting opportunities for value-added processing, circulareconomy initiatives, and business diversification.
To strengthen local economic resilience, enhance competitiveness, and create new business opportunities, a structured assessment is required to understand the current landscape, identify supply chain gaps, and evaluate feasible value-added opportunities.
2. Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this consulting engagement is to:
1. Identify opportunities to increase the participation of local suppliers, contractors, and service providers in the food-processing and manufacturing supply chain in Brandon, Manitoba.
2. Identify opportunities to attract investment from external suppliers, contractors and service providers that currently support the supply chain, but without a permanent local presence (approximately 100 kms).
3. Assess the availability, quality, and potential uses of by-products generated by local food-processing companies.
4. Recommend feasible value-added business opportunities based on identified byproducts, including potential new enterprises, partnerships, or innovations.
5. Produce a strategic action plan with recommendations for industry, government, and local stakeholders.
3. Objectives
The consultant will deliver a study that:
3.1 Local Supplier & Contractor Development
• Maps current procurement needs of food-processing and manufacturing firms (inputs, maintenance, engineering, logistics, packaging, waste management, etc.).
• Identifies supply gaps where local businesses could compete or expand.
• Assesses the readiness and capability of existing local suppliers.
• Evaluates barriers to local procurement and recommends measures to reduce them.
• Identifies potential new supplier or contractor business opportunities.
3.2 Value-Added By-Product Opportunities
• Creates an inventory of by-products generated by companies in the region (organic waste, animal by-products, grains, oils, packaging residue, etc.).
• Evaluates the economic, environmental, and technical potential of converting byproducts into value-added products (e.g., bioenergy, animal feed, fertilizers, bioplastics, food-grade ingredients).
• Identifies regulatory considerations, market trends, and technology requirements for each opportunity.
• Recommends the most viable value-added ventures for local scaling.
3.3 Economic Impact & Feasibility
o Estimates local economic benefits (jobs, investment, revenue retention).
o Provides preliminary feasibility analysis for highest-potential opportunities.
o Outlines partnership models (industry collaboration, co-ops, joint ventures, public-private initiatives).
3.4 Strategic Action Plan
• Recommends actions for industry leaders, the City, economic development agencies, colleges and universities, and chambers of commerce.
• Proposes programs, tools, or incentives to strengthen local supply chains.
• Recommend steps for supporting entrepreneurship and business expansion.
4. Scope of Work
The consultant will undertake, at minimum, the following activities:
1. Project initiation
• Kick-off meeting with the client
• Confirm scope, timelines, and data sources
2. Stakeholder engagement
• Interviews with food-processing/manufacturing firms
• Meetings with local suppliers and service providers
• Consultation with municipal and provincial bodies
• Engagement with research and innovation organizations
3. Data collection & analysis
• Procurement needs assessment
• By-product inventory and characterization
• Market and technology scan
• Economic and regulatory analysis
4. Opportunity identification and prioritization
• Screening criteria (market potential, feasibility, investment level, sustainability)
• Stakeholder validation session
5. Preparation of deliverables
• Interim findings report
• Final report with strategic action plan
• Executive summary and presentation to stakeholders
5. Deliverables
The consultant will deliver:
1. Workplan and engagement schedule
2. Interim Findings Report, including:
• Preliminary supplier gap analysis
• Preliminary by-product assessment
3. Final Report, including:
• Local supplier development opportunities
• Analysis of value-added by-product opportunities
• Feasibility insights
• Recommended actions, partnerships, and next steps
4. Presentation to the client and key stakeholders
5. Data appendices (supplier lists, by-product inventory, interview summaries)
6. Timeline
The study is expected to take [8–16 weeks], depending on availability of participants and data. A detailed schedule will be confirmed during project initiation.
7. Consultant Qualifications
The preferred consultant or team will have:
• Demonstrated experience in supply chain analysis, food processing, agri-food economics, or industrial development
• Strong capabilities in stakeholder engagement
• Experience conducting feasibility studies and opportunity assessments
• Knowledge of Prairies manufacturing, agriculture, and regional economic conditions
• Excellent communication and reporting skills
8. Budget
A detailed budget proposal should include:
• Professional fees (hourly or fixed)
• Travel and engagement costs
• Data collection expenses
• Any subcontracting or specialized analysis
The consultant will operate within a maximum budget of $50,000.
9. Reporting & Governance
• The consultant will report to a sub-committee of the Grow Brandon Agricultural Task Team. Madison Fortin will be a day to day contact for contract administration.
• Meetings will be held bi-weekly or as required.
• Draft reports will be reviewed by the client before finalization.
10. Evaluation Criteria
• Project Team – 40%
• Project Plan – 40%
• Value Added Suggestions – 20%
Projects will then be assessed on a price per point model.
Deadline: February 16th 3:00pm
For questions or more information: Mark Frison frisonm@assiniboine.net