TORONTO — Maple Leaf Foods has opened ThinkFOOD! Centre, a culinary innovation facility in Canada.

The center will be used to research product development, brand innovation, food education, customer relationship development, consumer research and global trend tracking, according to the company.

"We’ve created an innovative environment where all of our food innovators can work under one roof in collaboration with customers and increase the speed-to-market for introducing exciting new food ideas from around the world," said Michael McCain, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Foods. "ThinkFOOD! is a place where we draw inspiration from a global basket of ideas and innovate to create products that will delight the palates of our consumers and customers."

The facility is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and cost $12 million to construct the 25,000 square-foot facility. It has a food service kitchen, sensory and product development areas, teaching facilities and a global culinary insight and trend library.