PPIC News

Stay up to date with PPIC news and events.

Italian representatives from Ferrero visit PPIC

Ferrero PPIC visit

The Plant Protein Innovation Center was thrilled to welcome representatives from Ferrero to our St. Paul facilities this week. Traveling in from Italy, Andrea Peraino and Alessio De Bernardi, along with American representative Daniel Estrella, spent the day exploring our research capabilities, meeting with our team, and discussing opportunities to advance innovative plant and alternative protein solutions together.

Their visit reflects Ferrero’s continued commitment as a PPIC Member and their growing engagement in collaborative research that bridges science, industry needs, and the future of food. 
We're excited about what comes next.


Pam presents at Keynote Speaker at Bezos Center Conference 2026

Pam presenting at Bezos 2026

We were proud to see Dr. Pam Ismail, Founder and Director of the Plant Protein Innovation Center and Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota, serve as a Keynote Speaker at the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein Annual Conference 2026 in London earlier this month. 

Dr. Ismail’s keynote highlighted the critical role of science‑driven innovation, industry–academic collaboration, and next‑generation plant protein research in accelerating a more sustainable global food system. Her leadership continues to shape the future of protein innovation and strengthen the ecosystem of partners working toward scalable, impactful solutions.

It’s inspiring to see PPIC’s vision represented on an international stage alongside global leaders committed to advancing sustainable protein. 


Minnesota Star Tribune features PPIC founder and director

Pea-based ice cream? Minnesota company tests the legume’s limits

Minnesota Star Tribune article

Puris Foods, one of the country’s largest pea protein companies, launched a new product last month that tastes better and isn’t as gritty as other protein powders.
By Victor Stefanescu
The Minnesota Star Tribune

Pam Ismail, director of University of Minnesota’s Plant Protein Innovation Center, said while soy is still the “giant” among plant-based proteins, peas have become the fastest-growing as consumers look for an allergen-friendly option and farmers look to incorporate new crops.

As a legume, pea “nourishes the soil,” Ismail said, “so it has a very good environmental benefit.”

Read the full article here: https://www.startribune.com/puris-pea-protein-shakes/601866252?utm_source=gift


Proeon visits PPIC labs

Proeon facility visit

We were excited to welcome Kevin Parekh and Ashish Korde, co‑founders of Proeon Foods, to the Plant Protein Innovation Center (PPIC) for a visit. Proeon is an innovative company developing high‑quality, next‑generation plant protein ingredients for the global food industry, with a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing. Their work in advancing functional plant proteins aligns closely with PPIC’s mission to accelerate research and collaboration across the plant protein ecosystem.
We look forward to exciting collaborations with them in the near future!


Elementa Foods visits PPIC labs

Element group visit

We were excited to welcome the Elementa Foods team — Sean Linstead, Emiliano Benito, and Nicolás Nuñez Indart — to the Plant Protein Innovation Center (PPIC) for a visit. Elementa Foods develops next‑generation, functional plant protein ingredients designed to improve performance, sustainability, and nutrition across modern food applications. Their visit sparked great conversations around innovation, ingredient functionality, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration within the plant protein ecosystem.
We look forward to continued connection and future collaborations with their team.