Taylor Farms Food Safety Laboratory
Cal Poly has ambitious plans to accelerate food innovation through the development of new, state-of-the-art facilities across campus. In 2019, the university will begin building a new $123 million Science and Agriculture Teaching and Research Complex that will house culinary, sensory, food safety and product development labs.
As the fi fth largest undergraduate agriculture and food program in the country, and one of only two International Food Technology (IFT)-approved food science programs in California, Cal Poly is a national leader in educating and training the next generation of chefs, food entrepreneurs, nutritionists, dietitians and food scientists.
Cal Poly is fi nalizing plans for the new, 100,000-square-foot facility, which will be located in the heart of campus. The complex will serve as a hub for students and industry to gather and share knowledge, and will feature open-concept, food-forward facilities designed in consultation with the Culinary Institute of America.
Fundraising is 80 percent complete, with lead gifts secured from private industry partners including J.G. Boswell, the Oreggia Family Foundation, and Taylor Farms, a family owned leading producer of fresh foods based in Salinas, California, with 14 production facilities throughout North America.
To honor the $1 million pledge from Taylor Farms, a food safety teaching and research space will be named The Taylor Farms Food Safety Laboratory.
Fueling Student Success
Agricultural science major and fruit science minor Rafael Pintor, from Mission Viejo, California, and recent food science alumnus Peter Haverkamp from San Juan Capistrano, California, worked with a team of fellow students to launch an innovative food company that is turning Native American superfoods into everyday nutritious snacks and returning value to the Navajo Nation Reservation. These self-driven students partnered with Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to receive the practical training and connection to investors and resources, to help move their business forward. The Pinyon Superfood Bar is available throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, with an expansion of new products planned for the fall.
To learn more about the superfood bar, visit www.atsafoods.com.
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