What is FIRSt?

A technician slides a tray through a sensory tasting window

We enable food and beverage companies to grow and reach more customers.

FIRSt is a Technology Access Centre that supports the food and beverage sector with scientific R&D services from our lab at George Brown College. We work with our clients to troubleshoot product development challenges and help them bring new ideas to market.

Learn more about our process

Product and Recipe Development
  • Product Development
  • Product Optimization
  • Recipe Development
Validation and Support
  • Consumer Sensory Research
  • Focus Groups
  • In-Plant Trials and Pilot Testing
Testing and Compliance
  • Shelf-Life Validation
  • Nutritional Analysis
  • Claims, Regulatory and Packaging Review

Get to know our clients

Explore our client stories - just a small taste of our delicious research!

Our Work

Our categories:

  • Dips & Spreads
  • Soups & Sauces
  • Baked Goods & Baking Mixes
  • Beverages (including Carbonated / Alcoholic)
  • Snacks (Protein Bars, Granola, Chips, Etc.)
  • Frozen Desserts & Ice Cream
  • Coffee & Tea
  • Powders, Flavors and More

Land acknowledgement

George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.


Learn more about our land acknowledgment