With the new millennium, the Oregon Food Innovation Center opened as one of the nation’s first urban Agricultural Experiment Stations. In collaboration with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, research at the center focuses on practical solutions that will make the difference between profit and loss for Oregon farmers, food processors, food distributors and retailers.
For example, Northwest fruit growers have watched for years as they lost market share to foreign competition from apple and pear producers from such places as New Zealand and Europe. With help from OSU market analysts and agricultural economists, Northwest growers are regaining the marketing advantage they used to enjoy. And sensory testing at the Center attracts food producers from around the nation, where they can precisely test new products and recipes with targeted consumers.
