New Website and Name for Canary Seed for Human Use

The Canary Seed Development Commission of Saskatchewan has launched a new website – and a new name – for hairless de-hulled canary seed now available for human consumption.

Canary seed for human use is being branded with its Spanish name, alpiste, and the website is www.alpistecanada.ca.

Although the commission obtained human food approval in both Canada and the US for glabrous (hairless) de-hulled canary seed back in early 2016, market development has been hampered by the lack of a consistent supply. However, a de-hulling operation near Herschel, SK has been up and running for the past year and food companies are now offering alpiste related products.

The alpiste website launch earlier this month was timed to support the availability of product, according to a commission release.

InfraReady Products of Saskatoon is able to supply alpiste flour and meal, both raw and pre-cooked. In addition, Above Food / Purely Canada Foods is close to having a packaged alpiste product available and is looking at alpiste as an ingredient in other food products.

“The human food market for canary seed is still in its infancy, but having companies interested and product available is a big step,” said commission executive director Kevin Hursh.

The website offers alpiste health and nutritional information, culinary applications, cooking methods, and recipes and has been in development for ‘quite some time,’ said commission general manager Adele Buettner, a veteran promoter of Saskatchewan food products. Current alpiste suppliers are listed on the website with their contact information and other suppliers will be listed as they come on-stream.