UMass Amherst Lines Up $120M for Food Research Center and Pilot Plant

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has launched a $120 million Future of Food Initiative that will fund a 36,000-square-foot research building with a food-grade pilot plant, a new interdisciplinary research center, and five permanent endowments, including an endowed chair in food science and a research catalyst fund. The funding comes from contributions from the Manning family foundation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the university, and the UMass Amherst Foundation.

The Paul and Diane Manning Food Innovation Hub, scheduled to break ground in late 2027, will house a pilot plant, sensory testing labs, innovation kitchens, and other facilities for research and training in food science. The initiative also includes the creation of the Center for the Future of Food, which aims to coordinate research across departments to address challenges and opportunities in the food industry, such as novel protein sources, AI robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The university expects the initiative to support economic development in Western Massachusetts and the state, as well as to train more graduates for roles in the food industry.