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Director James Cameron opens pea processing plant in Sask.

Sep 18, 2017 | 11:20 AM

It’s a Titanic investment for Saskatchewan agriculture.

Oscar-winning film director James Cameron and wife Suzy Amis Cameron were in Vanscoy Monday, joined by Premier Brad Wall and other dignitaries, to announce the formation of Verdient Foods Inc.

Verdient’s new food processing plant is located in the town west of Saskatoon. Once fully operational, the facility will have a goal to become the largest organic pea protein fractionation plant in North America, with a capacity 160,000 tonnes.

The Camerons have entered into a four-year research contract with the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre non-profit to develop value-added organic food products. These will be produced by Canadian and global companies using ingredients from their Verdient plant.

“For years, we’ve been on a mission to help the world eat healthy food grown by farmers who have chosen to farm organically,” Suzy Amis Cameron said in a news release.

“Jim and I are thrilled to work with Saskatchewan experts at the Food Centre, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Whitecap Dakota First Nation; all of whom have long been supporters of the mission to bring healthy food to all.”

According to the news release, the Camerons are dedicated to working with Saskatchewan farmers in a mentorship program to provide a profitable structure for younger generations of Canadian farmers engaged in organic farming.

Cameron was born in Kapuskasing, Ont. and has directed a long list of Hollywood blockbusters including The Terminator, Titantic and Avatar.

He’s also a producer, screenwriter, inventor, engineer, philanthropist and deep-sea explorer.