Precision Meets Innovation: GIFS and Rivercity Innovations Collaborate to Protect Agriculture Research

The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan has built an international reputation for advancing agricultural innovation and sustainable food production.

With a world-class team and advanced technologies, the institute works with partners to accelerate research and product development. Through these activities, GIFS is entrusted with temperature-sensitive research samples. Some samples can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Others are irreplaceable.

Even minor temperature fluctuations in fridges, freezers, greenhouses or growth chambers can compromise critical research. Relying on industry‑standard monitoring technologies leaves too much open to chance, where a fraction of a degree can result in lost data, costly delays and significant research setbacks.

As its global leadership and research responsibilities continued to grow, GIFS began looking for a solution that went beyond traditional standards and matched the importance, complexity and scale of its work.

Now, by connecting with Saskatoon‑based Rivercity Innovations, a tech company specializing in temperature monitoring and predictive analytics, GIFS has strengthened its ability to safeguard research and operate with greater confidence.

A Local Solution with Global Impact

GIFS’ facilities include climate-controlled greenhouses and growth chambers, as well as advanced technology platforms such as the Omics and Precision Analytics Laboratory (OPAL) and the institute’s Engineering Biology platform or biofoundry. Both platforms are home to a unique complement of leading-edge instruments that utilize automation to scale research and product development.

Operating in the Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology (R+T) Park in Saskatoon, GIFS supports internal research and collaborates with industry and academic partners to enable discovery, development and delivery of new agricultural solutions.

“To have all of these facilities in one place is extremely unique within the Canadian agriculture sector,” said Jessica Martin, Lead of Research and Development Operations at GIFS.

Before adopting a new monitoring system, GIFS relied on emergency generators and team members to manually track temperature changes—an inefficient and inconvenient process, especially during evenings, weekends and holidays.

Seeking a secure, streamlined and responsive system, GIFS looked for a solution that was reliable, cost-effective, easy to install and capable of instantly alerting multiple team members when issues occurred. That solution proved elusive until a conversation with an Innovation Saskatchewan employee identified Rivercity Innovations—also located at the R+T Park in Saskatoon—as a strong potential fit.

The connection was a match, and Rivercity Innovations deployed its sensor technology throughout the GIFS facilities to monitor critical storage and research environments.

Now, the system delivers real-time data, instant alerts and predictive analytics that identify trends and potential emerging issues before failures occur. This allows GIFS to easily maintain precise temperature control and protect the integrity of its research.

“We get automated notifications, so if anything does occur—especially after hours, weekends or holidays—we’re told immediately,” said Martin. “It significantly reduces the risk to our client samples and consumables we purchase.”

Strengthening Research—and a Saskatchewan Startup

Prior to connecting with GIFS, Rivercity Innovations was primarily working with large grocery chains, restaurants and pharmacies. Supporting advanced research facilities introduced an opportunity to adapt its product for a new use case and to expand into a new market.

Unlike commercial fridges and freezers used in grocery stores and restaurants, which reach around –30°C, some samples at GIFS must be stored at temperatures as low as –80°C. To meet those extreme conditions, Rivercity Innovations engineered its technology to include a probe-style sensor. When placed inside the ultra-low-temperature freezers, it connects to the monitoring system, giving GIFS precise readings where accuracy matters most.

“It means a lot to our company to be involved in a way where we’re indirectly helping protect this research and ensuring GIFS can continue its work,” said Riley Stevenson, Chief Technology Officer of Rivercity Innovations.

For GIFS, the relationship delivers stronger protection for valuable materials and improved operational confidence. It also allows the institute to support a growing Saskatchewan startup.

“It has been great working with Rivercity Innovations,” said Martin. “When we work with other companies, they might have local representatives, but it takes time to get equipment, responses or support on-site. Having Rivercity Innovations at the R+T Park has been extremely valuable.”

The Saskatchewan Advantage in Action

This partnership is more than a technology deployment—it demonstrates how Saskatchewan accelerates innovation.

With a diverse array of companies and institutions spanning sectors like agriculture, information and communication technology and life sciences, the R+T Park in Saskatoon creates an environment where ideas can move quickly from conversation to implementation.

“Being at the R+T Park allows you to meet other companies and people just by walking down the hallway or across the street,” said Stevenson. “It gives you a level up because there’s a network of people here that are going to help you.”

This proximity gave GIFS access to a reliable solution to safeguard high-value research materials, while Rivercity Innovations discovered a new market and evolved its technology. Demonstrating what’s possible when Saskatchewan companies and institutions work side by side—advancing science, supporting economic growth and reinforcing the Saskatchewan advantage.

Learn more about the Saskatchewan Advantage here.

Thank you to Innovation Saskatchewan for submitting the article.

Thanks you to Global Institute for Food Security for submitting the photo.