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What is OCIRC?

The Ontario Cereal Industry Research Council (OCIRC) is a unique, industry-funded collaboration. Since 2004, OCIRC has been driving grain and pulse research that benefits the entire agri-food value chain from producers to consumers.

Vision: University of Guelph is a global leader in grains and pulse research that benefits the agri-food value chain

Mission: To drive collaborative research that addresses diverse consumer needs and enhances sustainability across the agri-food value chain

OCIRC uses contributions from the membership to leverage research funds. These funds are used to support a unique and robust research program, under the direction of Dr. Iris Joye and her team from the University of Guelph's Cereal Science and Technology Research Group.

The OCIRC board works closely with the industry and research partners to create synergies and develop connections to drive research that benefits the entire agri-food value chain from producer to consumer.

Who are OCIRC's members?

  • Ardent Mills
  • Dare Foods Limited
  • Everspring Farm
  • Griffith Foods Limited
  • Mondelez International
  • P&H Milling Group

 Who are OCIRC's directors? 

  • Jamshid Rahimi – OCIRC Chair (Food Process Engineering Scientist, Griffith Foods Limited)
  • Diane Wolters – OCIRC Vice-Chair (Vice President Of Product Development, Everspring Farms)
  • Louise Jacques-O’Hare - OCIRC Secretary-Treasurer (Director, R&D, Dare Foods Limited)
  • Gerardo Gracia-Gonzalez (Sr. Scientist, Mondelēz International)
  • Sunny Mathew (Director - Quality Assurance, P&H Milling Group)
  • Anthony Pracek (Plant Manager, Ardent Mills)

What will your company gain from an OCIRC membership?

  • It provides an opportunity to collaborate and network – develop connections and work with other companies to drive research with industry-wide benefits
  • It makes economic sense – participate in meaningful research with commercial benefits at a lower cost than pursuing it alone
  • It gives your firm greater resources – access an inter-disciplinary research network with expertise to solve problems and advance innovation
  • It is forward-looking for the broader industry – contribute to the development of the next generation of cereal science professionals

If you are interested in becoming an OCIRC member or learning more about the organization, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact us: 

  • General Manager (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
  • Finance Administrator (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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