Safe food? Shelf life? Thank the Food Innovation Center
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Dr. Marcia Walker recently spent years working with big food companies. But she’s now the director at the Food Innovation Center, a Portland-based part of Oregon State University.
The Food Innovation Center — which OSU describes as the first urban agricultural experiment station in the nation — has been around for 25 years. Walker plans to help it continue its strong reputation in the food industry.
Over the years, the FIC helped people like Nick Wentz develop their recipes into products you’ll see on store shelves. Wentz is working with the scientists to create a tasty powder-based hydration drink that will have high quality ingredients, something he doesn’t see anyone else doing yet.
At the Food Innovation Center, product development is just one thing they do. They also help figure out shelf life for products. They also have a dedicated taste test area so clients can get an idea of what people think of their products.
Walker said they bring “all of those pieces together to really make sure they’re compliant with the regulations and that we’re putting safe foods out there.”
The Food Innovation Center has room to grow in its 33,000-square foot building in the Pearl District. The Oregon Department of Agriculture used to be upstairs until they moved out.
What to do with that extra space — for research or business development — is one of the fun things Walker said she’ll decide as they plot their future.
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