"Public interest in healthy diets is at an all-time high," said Linda Braun, SaskFlax Executive Director. "Consumers as never before want to get more energy, feel healthier, prevent disease, and eat "natural" foods. Flax is a natural fit. This conference helps us determine where the best opportunities are for our product."

"There are some incredible opportunities right now," said Penny Eaton, a SaskFlax representative who attended the conference. "Science continues to show more and more health benefits of omega-3s--the essential fatty acids found in flax and fish oil. Benefits like increased heart health, mental and visual development, and improvements in inflammatory conditions, among others. And companies across the board are looking for ways to put omega-3s into thier products."

The conference also included sessions on animal nutrition, regulatory issues, market trends, and the emerging science of nutrigenomics, where researchers are learning how certain food ingredients can activate a physical response in the body. Along with three days of educational sessions, the SupplySide West trade show featured more than 1000 exhibitors of specialty food ingredients, dietary supplements, cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

"We can only move our industry forward if we know where the opportunities are," Braun said. "An event like SupplySide West shows us that the future is bright for Saskatchewan flax.