About Dan On

B.C.-based entrepreneur Dan On, founder of Dan-D Foods Ltd., made a transformative $7 million donation to establish the Food and Beverage Innovation Centre at UBC.

This state-of-the-art facility, now named the Dan On Food and Beverage Innovation Centre, will play a vital role in training the next generation of food scientists and supporting the growth of small-to-mid-sized businesses across B.C. and beyond – through access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise to encourage innovation and new ideas to flourish.

The Dan On Food and Beverage Innovation Centre is one of the first buildings at UBC named after a refugee. Mr. On came to Canada in 1979 as an 18-year-old Vietnamese boat refugee and was welcomed by a Canadian family in Port Coquitlam. Mr. On found his footing in the food industry working odd jobs in restaurants before entering the world of bulk food distribution under the guidance of his adoptive father, George Kavanagh.

Eventually Mr. On launched Dan-D Foods Ltd. in 1989, and he has since grown the company to where it is today with 800 employees and operations in 6 countries. He is best known for sourcing premium cashews grown in Vietnam and California, bringing high quality products to consumers around the world. Dan-D Foods is also recognized for its commitment to sustainable sourcing and has been honored with numerous awards, including being named one of the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2024” by HR Asia.

Mr. On’s experience as a refugee instilled in him a deep belief in the power of community and resilience. His donation to UBC’s centre reflects his desire to give back to a country that welcomed him and to empower the next generation of food innovators.

“I envision the Dan On Food and Beverage Innovation Centre will be a global hub for food innovation where the best scientists and industry come together to find solutions that are sustainable in the long-term and technically advanced,” said Mr. On. “The centre will give small and mid-sized agri-food companies new access to resources and expertise that will help them compete on the world stage.”

Through his vision and generosity, Mr. On is helping shape the future of food innovation, ensuring that B.C.’s agri-food sector remains competitive and sustainable in the years to come.