About Us

Food Innovation Center

OUR MISSION

Advancing the food industry by...

APPLYING SCIENCE

  • Growing the body of knowledge and strategically  finding ways to share the science.
  • State-of-the-art pilot plant facilities unmatched by peers.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

  • Building a future workforce through internships and pilot plant projects.
  • Training and workshops that provide unique value.
  • Anticipating technical and professional development needs of the industry and acting quickly to meet them.

BUILDING BUSINESSES

  • Technical support for startup food companies
  • Consulting and analytical services that impact and add value to regional and national food commodities.

 

OUR VISION

Be the leading food science service center for connecting technology and knowledge with the food industry in America's heartland and beyond.

 

OUR GOALS

  • Grow Center revenue so FPC activity can continue to impact students, entrepreneurs, and other food businesses.
  • Build an innovation ecosystem that links startups and entrepreneurs to technical resources.
  • Leverage people, facilities, and emerging technology for discovery that advances the food industry.
  • Develop and equip people (including our own) to positively impact the food industry.

A Few Timeline Milestones

  1. 1983

    UNL establishes the Food Processing Center.

  2. 1987


    FPC Micro lab was set up in Filley Hall with Dianne Peters as manager.

  3. 1989

    FPC establishes the National Food Entrepreneur Program.
    Durward Smith was hired, and starts Better Process Control School at Nebraska. (He previously had taught it since 1974 at LSU & Auburn)

  4. 1990

    Dedication of Food Industry Complex on East Campus. (Micro lab moved here)

  5. 2011

    Students design “Big 10” Dairy Store giftbox.
    USDA Rural Development awards FPC small business grant to assist small manufacturers.

  6. 2016

    Preventive Controls workshops first offered.