The Food Professor

Epic Fury & Carbon Tax Cost Shocks, Canada–India-Australia Trade Bump, Elbows Up Alcohol Anniversary and guest Gavin Schneider, CEO & Co-Founder of Maia Farms

michael@meleblanc.co (Gavin Schneider) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois begin with their weekly conversation on the latest food and agriculture news shaping the global agri-food economy. The discussion covers geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the potential ripple effects on energy prices, transportation costs, and food inflation. The hosts explore how rising fuel prices could impact the cost of food production and distribution and how much money already strapped Canadians have to spend on food, while also discussing broader global trade implications for agriculture. And maybe, just maybe, the upside to the war in Iran. They also talk about the social media CEO burger-bit war between McDonalds and Burger King, and of course A&W!

The episode also examines Canada’s evolving international relationships, including new diplomatic and trade developments involving India and Australia, India being a critical growth market for Canadian agricultural exports. LeBlanc and Charlebois discuss the importance of pulses, grains, and other agri-food commodities in strengthening Canada’s role as a global food supplier. They also look at new interprovincial agreements that could expand alcohol trade between Ontario and Nova Scotia, highlighting the potential for Nova Scotia's amazing wine and beverage producers to reach new domestic markets. The hosts round out the news segment with commentary on front-of-package nutrition labelling research and how such policies may influence consumer behaviour and long-term public health outcomes.

The conversation then shifts to an in-depth interview with Gavin Schneider, CEO and Co-Founder of Maia Farms, a Vancouver-based food technology company developing sustainable mushroom and mycelium-based protein ingredients. Schneider explains how Maia Farms originated from the Canadian Space Agency’s Deep Space Food Challenge, which aimed to develop food production systems for future space missions. What began as a solution for astronauts has since evolved into a rapidly growing food innovation company focused on improving everyday food products on Earth.

Schneider describes how Maia Farms operates primarily as a B2B ingredient supplier, partnering with food manufacturers to integrate mushroom-based ingredients into a wide range of products. These ingredients can replace or complement traditional proteins such as soy, pea, or meat while improving taste, texture, and nutritional value. The company’s mushroom-based proteins are already being used in ready-to-eat meals, soups, snacks, and other packaged foods.

A key differentiator for Maia Farms is its scalable distributed manufacturing model, which allows the company to partner with production facilities across North America rather than building capital-intensive factories. This strategy has enabled Maia Farms to scale quickly while remaining capital efficient.

Schneider also discusses the emerging concept of balanced protein, blending mushroom ingredients with animal proteins to enhance flavour, nutrition, and sustainability while maintaining consumer familiarity. As the global food system seeks new ways to feed a growing population, Maia Farms believes mushrooms and fermentation-based proteins will play an increasingly important role.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.

Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal.

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.

With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Grocery Density, L.A.’s Eggslut in Canada, Nice Cans Scores with NYT and guest Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada and Managing Partner at The StratonHunter Group

michael@meleblanc.co (Robert Carter) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Robert Carter, President of the Coffee Association of Canada and Managing Partner at StrattonHunter Group, for an in-depth look at Canada’s coffee and restaurant industries at a moment of significant disruption.

Carter explains why coffee remains Canada’s most consumed beverage and a cornerstone of daily life, yet the industry is under intense pressure. Record-high green bean futures, climate volatility in producing nations, commodity speculation, and persistent U.S. tariffs — notably outside CUSMA protections — are reshaping the economics of roasting and exporting. Carter details how tariff exposure is impacting Canadian processors, forcing operational shifts, and creating uncertainty across North American trade.

The conversation expands into restaurant profitability, where rising input costs, labour pressures, rent, and delivery platform commissions are compressing margins. With nearly 30% of sales flowing through off-premise channels, operators must rethink strategy. Carter outlines how AI and data-driven tools are becoming essential for pricing optimization, operational audits, consumer insights, and long-term competitiveness. Restaurants that invest in AI readiness today, he argues, will outperform tomorrow.

In the news segment, the hosts unpack the U.S.. Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and continued trade uncertainty affecting Canadian agriculture, along with debate surrounding glyphosate, precision agriculture, and regulatory risk. They also analyze grocery concentration trends, declining supermarket density per capita, and Costco’s accelerating Canadian expansion.

The episode closes on restaurant innovation and cultural momentum. The arrival of Eggslut in Toronto signals continued appetite for experiential fast-casual concepts. Bobby Flay’s expansion into Canada underscores global chef brands’ confidence in the market. And Canadian entrepreneur Charlotte Langley’s Nice Cans sardines earning international acclaim highlights the premiumization of seafood and the growing power of differentiated food brands.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Inflation Nation, AI Goes Grocery, Cocoa Crash & Coffee Correction & The Abomination That Is Boneless Chicken Wings

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:01:02 +0000

In this special “Year of the Fire Horse” episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a wide-ranging and unfiltered analysis of the forces reshaping Canada’s food economy — from stubborn food inflation to AI-powered grocery shopping, trade diplomacy, restaurant distress, and the surprising fall in cocoa and coffee prices.

The episode opens with a deep dive into Canada’s alarming 7.3% food inflation rate — the highest among G7 nations. Stripping out the temporary GST holiday effect, inflation still lands north of 6%, raising serious structural concerns about Canada’s food supply chain. Sylvain outlines the real drivers: interprovincial trade barriers, industrial carbon taxes, logistics inefficiencies, supply management constraints, and geopolitical disruptions. The hosts challenge mainstream narratives and examine whether policy decisions — not just global pressures — are exacerbating affordability challenges.

Shifting to trade, the duo assess Canada’s renewed engagement with Mexico, highlighting opportunities for agricultural exports, food manufacturing expansion, and supply chain diversification under CUSMA. With U.S. agricultural groups openly supporting the trade agreement, the geopolitical chessboard around North American food trade is heating up.

On the business front, Coca-Cola’s $141 million expansion in Brampton underscores the importance of food processing capacity in driving economic resilience. Meanwhile, Diageo’s Ontario investment announcement sparks debate about political optics versus substantive impact.

Technology also takes center stage as Loblaw’s integration with OpenAI signals the beginning of visible AI deployment in Canadian food retail. Michael explores how AI will disrupt food discovery, loyalty programs, and consumer personalization — while Sylvain raises concerns about algorithmic pricing, consumer trust, and the moral contract between grocers and shoppers.

There’s relief on the horizon: cocoa and coffee commodity prices are falling sharply from record highs, potentially translating into lower consumer prices later in 2026.

The episode closes with sobering data from Restaurants Canada: 44% of restaurants are operating at break-even or loss levels — a stark reminder of how fragile Canada’s foodservice sector remains.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Elbows Up Bridge Trouble, Montreal Bagel Heated Rivarly, Dairy Skimming & guest Jason McLinton, President of the Fisheries Council of Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Jason McLinton) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:47:27 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a wide-ranging discussion that spans Canadian agricultural investment, dairy transparency, food trade infrastructure, and seafood sustainability—before welcoming Jason McLinton, President of the Fisheries Council of Canada, for an in-depth conversation on the future of Canada’s wild capture seafood industry.

The episode opens with analysis of major developments shaping Canadian agri-food policy. Sylvain reflects on Canadian Ag Day spent in Saskatoon and the newly announced $5 billion investment coalition led by Farm Credit Canada, designed to mobilize private capital into agriculture and agri-food innovation. The hosts debate whether this signals a meaningful shift toward private-sector leadership in food production. They also tackle dairy sector transparency, highlighting new data showing that 4.9% of collected milk is being rejected or “skimmed,” raising renewed concerns around supply management efficiency and food affordability.

Trade infrastructure also takes center stage, with discussion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and its implications for cross-border agri-food movement. As geopolitical tensions evolve, the hosts examine how Canadian consumers and producers are reacting to U.S. trade volatility and what it means for domestic competitiveness.

The second half of the episode features Jason McLinton, who outlines why Canada’s seafood sector—representing more than $9 billion in economic activity—is both economically vital and culturally foundational. McLinton explains how Canada consistently ranks among the top five most sustainable seafood producers globally, reinforcing its reputation as a premium, trusted source in international markets.

The conversation explores Canada’s export-heavy seafood model, noting that more than $8 billion of production is shipped abroad annually. McLinton highlights the strategic importance of maintaining tariff-free access to key markets such as China and the United States, while continuing to expand into the Indo-Pacific and other high-growth regions.

He also addresses regulatory uncertainty, marine conservation policy, access to fisheries resources, and the need for science-based decision-making. With climate adaptation, sustainability technology, and global market diversification top of mind, McLinton shares his strategic priorities for strengthening Canada’s blue economy while protecting coastal communities.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Trade Talk on the Prairies, Canada's new U.S. Ambassador & Supply Management and How AI Is Rewiring Foodservice with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, Global Head of Restaurants at Amazon AWS

michael@meleblanc.co (Deborah Matteliano Simeoni) — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois deliver a wide-ranging discussion that connects Canadian food policy, trade risk, pricing power, and the accelerating role of AI in restaurants. The episode is anchored by a forward-looking interview with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, Global Head of Restaurants at Amazon Web Services (AWS), recorded live at the NRF Big Show in New York.

The first half of the episode focuses on the state of Canadian agriculture and food affordability. Sylvain shares firsthand insights from meetings with farmers across the Prairies, highlighting cautious optimism around renewed beef access to China alongside deep concern about U.S. trade policy and the durability of CUSMA. The hosts debate the federal government’s grocery rebate program, questioning its long-term fiscal impact and contrasting it with a structural alternative: removing GST on food and foodservice to address affordability more directly.

A key political and policy thread centers on Mark Wiseman, Canada’s incoming Ambassador to the United States. Michael and Sylvain discuss Wiseman’s previously published criticism of supply management, exploring whether his appointment signals potential pressure on the system during future Canada–U.S. trade negotiations—and whether Ottawa may ultimately position reforms as externally forced rather than domestically driven. The conversation situates supply management within broader competitiveness, trade credibility, and agri-food resilience debates.

The hosts also examine PepsiCo’s high-profile U.S. snack price reductions, questioning whether the move reflects margin recalibration, competitive signaling, or Super Bowl-era marketing—and why those cuts do not apply to Canada. Additional topics include the quiet disappearance of frozen orange juice concentrate, the continued normalization of food delivery, and why physical restaurants still matter as legitimizing anchors for digital-first and delivery-led food brands.

The second half features an in-depth conversation with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, who reframes AI not as an end goal, but as a tool for solving real restaurant challenges. Drawing on her experience launching Uber Eats and now advising global QSR brands at AWS, she explains how AI is improving drive-through accuracy, enhancing employee satisfaction, and enabling sophisticated personalization within loyalty ecosystems. Deborah emphasizes experimentation, data-driven learning, and customer-centric design as essential to scaling technology responsibly.

Lastly we celebrate the Lobster Lady, still fishing at 101, leaving the earth at 103: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/business/virginia-oliver-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.J1A.q_7X.15lWPrsTltE7&smid=url-share

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

CFIA Cuts, GST Grocery Rebate, Gene-Edited Pork, Amazon’s Grocery Reset and guest Cosimo Mammoliti, Founder & CEO of the Terroni Group

michael@meleblanc.co (Cosimo Mammoliti) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:05:45 +0000

On this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois unpack one of the most wide-ranging conversations of the season—blending major food policy, trade, and retail stories with an inspiring deep dive into the life and business philosophy of Cosimo Mammoliti, Founder & CEO of the Terroni Group.

The episode opens with fast-moving headlines shaping Canada’s food system. The hosts analyze the federal government’s decision to cut roughly 1,300 jobs at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), debating whether technology, AI, and risk-based inspection models can offset staffing losses. They then break down the new income-tested GST grocery credit, calling it a helpful short-term fix that fails to address deeper productivity and food affordability challenges.

Next, the discussion turns to gene-edited pork, following Health Canada’s approval and the decision by DuBreton to label products as non-gene-edited. Sylvain stresses this is not a food safety issue—but a consumer transparency issue that will define trust in future food technologies. The hosts also explore the implications of the long-awaited EU–India trade agreement, what it means for Canada’s global food competitiveness, and how warming relations with China and India could reshape agri-food exports.

Climate volatility also makes the agenda, with Arctic air threatening Florida citrus crops and reinforcing how global sourcing—from Egypt to South Africa—now underpins North American grocery supply. The segment closes with a sharp debate on universities banning beef, Amazon’s decision to close Fresh and Go stores while doubling down on automation, and Starbucks’ early progress under CEO Brian Niccol.

At the heart of the episode is an extraordinary conversation with Cosimo Mammoliti, whose Terroni Group has grown from a four-stool café on Queen Street into a hospitality, importing, and wine empire spanning Toronto and Los Angeles. Cosimo shares how his obsession with **materia prima—ingredient integrity and provenance—**led him to import his own flour, olive oil, and wines directly from family producers across Italy.

He explains why Terroni does not allow menu modifications, how COVID permanently changed his approach to delivery platforms, and why authenticity—not trends—guides every decision. Cosimo also reflects on launching his best-selling cookbook La Cucina di Terroni, his fast-growing frozen pizza brand Porta, and the operational pressures facing restaurants in today’s high-cost economy.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Sino Export West Win, What Comes Next for Canadian Ag & Fighting Food Fraud with guest Deleo de Leonardis, CEO Purity-IQ

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois unpack two powerful and timely themes shaping Canada’s food system: the shifting geopolitical landscape of agri-food and the growing threat of food fraud. The episode opens with a wide-ranging news segment focused on Canada’s evolving trade relationship with China, recent developments at Davos, and new data on food inflation.

Sylvain shares insights from Manitoba Ag Days, where optimism is building among farmers following Canada’s short-term agricultural trade deal with China, particularly for canola, lobster, and beef exports. The hosts explore the strategic implications of re-opening Chinese markets, noting how geopolitical uncertainty is now a permanent feature of food systems. Sylvain argues that Canada must invest more heavily in domestic manufacturing, modernize supply management, and incentivize green technologies to strengthen long-term food sovereignty. The conversation also turns to food inflation, with Sylvain explaining why Canada’s 6.2% food inflation rate cannot be blamed solely on the GST holiday, pointing instead to opportunistic pricing and structural inefficiencies across the supply chain.

The second half of the episode features a compelling interview with Deleo de Leonardis, CEO and Co-Founder of Purity IQ, a science-based company specializing in food and supplement authenticity testing. Drawing on her 30-year career in grocery retail, including two decades at Sobeys, Deleo explains how food fraud represents one of the most underestimated risks in modern retail. While many companies rely on basic identity testing, Deleo highlights the critical difference between identity and authenticity: a product may technically meet regulatory standards while still being diluted, substituted, or adulterated.

Deleo introduces advanced tools such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and DNA-based testing, which allow for non-targeted analysis at the molecular level. This approach enables Purity IQ to detect unknown adulterants and inconsistencies across batches—something traditional testing methods often miss. She outlines high-risk categories such as olive oil, honey, fish, avocado oil, sesame oil, and dietary supplements, emphasizing that food fraud is an opportunistic crime driven by global supply shocks, climate events, tariffs, and geopolitical instability.

Together, the episode paints a sobering picture: as supply chains become more complex and economic pressures rise, food authenticity will become a defining issue for retailers, brands, and regulators alike. The hosts conclude that in an era of shrinking trust and rising prices, transparency and scientific verification may be the only sustainable path forward for the global food industry.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Chocolate, China, Canola, Climate & Consumer Change and guest Suzie Yorke of The Little Cacao Company

michael@meleblanc.co (Suzie Yorke) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:37:04 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a wide-ranging discussion on the forces reshaping food, retail, and consumer behaviour—before sitting down with one of Canada’s most dynamic food entrepreneurs, Suzie Yorke, CEO and Founder of The Little Cacao Company.

The episode opens with insights from New York City, where Michael reports from NRF Big Show, highlighting how retail continues to blend hospitality, entertainment, and commerce. From Tecovas’ in-store bar concept to Printemps’ alcohol-free champagne experience, the hosts explore how experiential retail is redefining consumer engagement. The conversation then shifts to quick-service restaurants, where McDonald’s decision to freeze value meal pricing underscores growing pressure on restaurant traffic amid economic uncertainty. Sylvain explains why this price war reflects defensive strategy rather than growth, while noting the strain rising costs place on supply chains—from coffee to beef.

Broader macro themes follow, including climate data, forest fires, and their often-misunderstood impact on agriculture and food policy. The hosts debate alarmist climate narratives, the reliability of long-term data, and the risks of poorly designed policies that can penalize farmers and processors. The episode also touches on Aldi’s aggressive U.S. expansion, Amazon’s underestimated grocery scale, and Canada’s evolving trade posture with China—particularly as agriculture remains entangled in geopolitics and tariff negotiations.

The heart of the episode is a candid, high-energy interview with Suzie Yorke, a veteran brand builder turned founder on a mission to fundamentally rethink chocolate. Yorke traces her journey from engineering to senior marketing roles at major CPG firms, to launching breakout brands like Love Good Fats, and ultimately founding The Little Cacao Company. She explains why cacao is one of the world’s most powerful antioxidant superfoods—and how decades of sugar, poor fats, and aggressive processing stripped it of its nutritional potential.

Yorke also shares hard-earned lessons from scaling food startups through the volatile pre- and post-COVID investment cycles, including the importance of founder-led execution, disciplined economics, and authentic consumer connection. She discusses how protein, fibre, and low-sugar formulations position her chocolate for a world shaped by GLP-1 drugs, health-driven indulgence, and changing cravings. Equally compelling is her perspective on leadership, resilience, and representation—using her platform to champion inclusivity while proving that innovation doesn’t have an expiration date.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

2026 Restaurant Predictions, D is for Dairy, U.S. Flips the Food Pyramid, and Brewing Change at Scale: Roxanne Joyal, Founder & CEO of &BackCoffee

michael@meleblanc.co (Roxanne Joyal) — Thu, 8 Jan 2026 08:23:40 +0000

In the first episode of 2026, The Food Professor Podcast kicks off the year with a wide-ranging discussion that blends big-picture food system insights with an inspiring founder story. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois are joined by Roxanne Joyal, Founder and CEO of &Back Coffee, for a conversation that spans food policy, restaurant industry disruption, and the future of ethical coffee.

The episode opens with the hosts unpacking several pressing food industry developments. Charlebois shares fresh analysis on supply chain volatility, including short-term disruptions in chicken and lactose-free milk, and explores how new vitamin D fortification rules may be influencing dairy availability. The discussion then turns to Charlebois’ 2026 predictions, notably his forecast that Canada could see a net loss of up to 4,000 restaurants as closures outpace openings. While dining out remains popular, rising input costs, lower alcohol consumption, and weaker consumer spending are accelerating a “right-sizing” of the sector—particularly hurting independent operators that drive food innovation. The hosts also examine the grocery “blackout period,” the evolving role of the Code of Conduct, and how geopolitical tensions could indirectly impact food prices, currencies, and trade.

At the heart of the episode is an in-depth interview with Roxanne Joyal, whose career spans global women’s empowerment, international development, and now coffee. A Rhodes Scholar and Order of Canada recipient, Joyal explains how her work with women artisans around the world led naturally to coffee farming communities along the equator. That journey inspired &Back Coffee, a woman-owned, woman-grown premium coffee company built around impact, storytelling, and scale.

Joyal outlines why and back deliberately focused on the B2B coffee market first, supplying offices, hotels, airlines, and workplaces rather than competing in crowded retail aisles. Now operating in more than 500 workplaces across Canada and expanding rapidly in the U.S., the company helps organizations align everyday procurement decisions with sustainability, employee engagement, and social impact goals. Central to the model is reinvestment in coffee-growing communities, particularly programs that support women farmers through financial literacy, agricultural training, and income diversification.

The conversation closes with a thoughtful exploration of coffee inflation, return-to-office trends, and what it will take to create dignified, prosperous futures for coffee farmers. Together, the hosts and their guest remind listeners that food—and coffee in particular—is never just a commodity, but a daily ritual deeply connected to people, policy, and purpose

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Chicken Supply Turmoil, GST off Food Movement and guest Carman Allison, Vice President NIQ Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Carman Allison) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:17:22 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast opens with Michael and Sylvain analyzing the most pressing developments shaping Canada’s food and retail landscape. Sylvain reflects on the extraordinary national and global reach of Canada’s Food Price Report, which this year generated unprecedented media attention and continues to influence retailers, manufacturers, governments, and consumers planning for 2026. They dig into the structural issues behind Canada’s complex food-tax regime, discuss why the GST holiday changed how Canadians think about food pricing, and explore the broader economic forces influencing consumer behaviour.

The hosts then turn to one of the most surprising developments of the season: mounting instability in the chicken sector. With nine consecutive missed production cycles, increased reliance on imports, and confusion around border testing, the system designed to provide stability is under strain. Sylvain breaks down why this matters for households, grocers, foodservice operators, and the broader supply chain—especially as chicken remains Canada’s most-purchased protein. The conversation then expands southward to U.S. agricultural subsidies, tariff battles, Costco’s legal challenge over tariff refunds, and the potential fallout of proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian fertilizer.

The second half of the episode shifts to a live interview recorded at the Coffee Association of Canada conference, where Michael and Sylvain sit down with Carman Allison, Vice President, NIQ Canada, one of the country’s most respected consumer data voices. Carman previews his conference keynote, “Navigating Disruption,” and explains why coffee inflation is reshaping buying behaviour even among loyal consumers who consider coffee essential. He outlines NIQ’s segmentation showing that 29% of Canadian households are now financially vulnerable—and how this is affecting deal-seeking, product substitution, and consumption patterns.

Drawing on NIQ’s expanded Omni Shopper Panel, Carman describes how rapid multicultural population growth is shifting beverage preferences, why Generation X now holds the greatest spending power, and how value-seeking is reshaping entire store categories. He also reveals early evidence of the GLP-1 effect, where households using weight-loss or diabetes medications show measurable declines in food consumption.

Carman closes by highlighting growth opportunities in instant coffee, protein-and-coffee hybrids, Maple-forward flavour innovation, and the continued rise of home-meal-replacement programs. His insights give retailers and suppliers a grounded, data-rich roadmap for growth in a highly price-sensitive marketplace.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada’s Food Price Report 2026 Revealed + Hugo Magnan, President of Groupe MAG, on the Art of Great Canadian Mayo

michael@meleblanc.co (Hugo Magnan) — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 07:57:16 +0000

In this action and insight-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Hugo Magnan, President of Groupe MAG, the Quebec-based culinary innovator behind some of Canada’s most delicious mayonnaise, salad dressings, dips, and sauces. Hugo shares the company’s origin story — founded in 1989 by his father Jacques — and explains how Groupe MAG carved out a loyal following through premium ingredients, bold flavours, and a commitment to craft. Michael even reveals his own culinary experiments using MAG mayonnaise in a Texan-style potato salad, highlighting the brand’s versatility and taste advantage over mainstream competitors. The conversation explores the future of condiments, how regional producers scale nationally, and why MAG's formula resonates with consumers craving authenticity and umami-rich flavours.

The second half of the episode pivots to the newly released Canada’s Food Price Report, featuring a detailed breakdown of projected food inflation for 2026. Using AI-driven forecasting, Sylvain’s research team anticipates grocery price increases of 4–6% next year — adding nearly $1,000 annually for a family of four. Meat, centre-aisle pantry goods, and restaurant meals are expected to drive most inflation, while coffee prices are entering what Michael calls “eye-watering levels” due to global supply constraints. Sylvain warns that restructuring by major food manufacturers may lead to fewer product choices, reducing competition and elevating prices, particularly in packaged foods.

Yet, amid affordability challenges, the report identifies positive shifts. Canadian consumers are entering 2026 more informed, intentional, and empowered than during the pandemic inflation wave. Shopping trips per household have risen from five to more than seven per month, as families comparison-shop, loyalty surf, and embrace food rescue apps, private label alternatives, and price-matching codes. Structural forces — from discount grocer expansion in Quebec to declining alcohol consumption in restaurants — are also reshaping the retail landscape. Restaurants, facing lower bar revenues, will need to reinvent profitability while consumers lean more into at-home dining.

Whether you're a food lover curious about better mayonnaise, a retailer navigating shifting economics, or a policy-watcher tracking food affordability, this episode blends culinary storytelling with hard-hitting data, offering both delicious inspiration and serious insight into the year ahead.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada's Food Price Report Sneak Peek, Lefty Farmers, Campbell's Chicken Soup Traitor & guest Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle, on How GLP-1 Drugs Are Reshaping Canadians

michael@meleblanc.co (Ransom Hawley) — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:05:00 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast takes a deep dive into one of the most powerful forces now reshaping the food industry: the rapid rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois begin with a run-through of current food and retail headlines, including controversy at Campbell Soup, conversations around AI adoption and innovation in the food sector, and early teasers from the 2026 Canada Food Price Report. These stories set the stage for this week’s feature discussion: how GLP-1 medications are altering what consumers eat, where they shop, and which products they choose.

The heart of the episode features an in-depth interview with Ransom Hawley, Founder and CEO of Caddle, a Canadian mobile-first consumer insights platform with access to real-time behavioural data. Hawley shares new Canadian research showing GLP-1 household usage has jumped from 10% to 14% over two years, a dramatic 40% increase. Equally important is the shift in why people are taking these drugs: where most users initially relied on them to manage type-2 diabetes, an increasing number now use them primarily for weight loss. That consumer pivot mirrors rapid adoption trends in the United States and offers important clues about what’s coming next for Canadian retailers, manufacturers and restaurants.

Hawley reveals that GLP-1 users report eating less, losing weight, buying fewer groceries, and reducing restaurant visits. Consumption of alcohol, sugary beverages and impulse-driven snack foods is falling, while protein-rich foods, functional beverages and satiety-oriented products are gaining momentum. Categories seeing the steepest declines include bakery goods, packaged cookies, chocolates, soft drinks and sweet snacks—all long-time staples of convenience-driven food consumption. This suggests a structural shift, not a temporary fad.

The conversation expands to consider the broader implications. As GLP-1 usage rises, brands face new challenges and opportunities: How should they reformulate products for consumers who eat less? Should retailers redesign planograms to reflect category shrinkage? Will foodservice operators pivot toward protein-forward meals, smoothies and portion-smart menu strategies? As the hosts discuss, this is the first time since COVID-era lockdowns that such a large segment of the population is simultaneously changing eating behaviours, and its ripple effects will reshape category strategies, promotional plans, and innovation pipelines.

By the end of the episode, one thing is clear: GLP-1 drugs are not just a pharmaceutical phenomenon—they are transforming food culture, retail economics, and consumer expectations. Retailers and brands that ignore this shift risk falling behind; those who understand it may unlock a once-in-a-generation competitive advantage.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Clone Wars, latest insights from the Canadian Food Sentiment Index and Part 2 of our interview with Michael Medline, Former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, on Leadership & Legacy

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Medline) — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:03:29 +0000

In this can’t-miss episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois return with Part Two of their exclusive, final official interview with Michael Medline, former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys. Medline offers unusually candid reflections on leadership, culture, vendor relationships, and the evolution of one of Canada’s largest food retailers.

The conversation opens with a deep dive into vendor relations and the Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct. Medline explains his early shock at the combative nature of vendor–retailer dynamics and details his personal commitment to transforming the ecosystem into one built on fairness, respect, and partnership. He reflects on how mentorship from industry leaders like Michael Graydon and collaboration with executives such as Mark Taylor helped advance the Code from concept to reality — ultimately becoming one of the proudest achievements of his tenure.

Medline also shares rare behind-the-scenes reflections on working with the Sobey family, leading through disruption, and preparing the company for the next era of food retail. From AI-driven transformation to the duty of stewarding an organization with 129,000 teammates, he speaks openly about responsibility, succession, and what comes next in his career. His insights offer a masterclass in modern leadership during one of the most transformative decades in grocery retail.

The episode also features a rich and timely news segment. Michael and Sylvain break down Health Canada’s pause on cloned beef and swine approvals, a fast-moving story with major implications for transparency, labeling, science communication, and cross-border food integration. They examine why Canada’s decision diverges from the U.S., where cloned-animal offspring have been permitted for nearly two decades — often without consumer awareness.

The hosts then analyze the newest edition of the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, highlighting renewed concerns about food inflation, declining trust in grocers, shifting loyalty behaviours, and the end of Canada’s “couponing era.” They explore evolving consumer habits, smarter comparison shopping, and the influence of younger digital-first generations.

Other key topics include:
• The Lancet’s callout of ultra-processed foods — and why Sylvain believes the academic narrative is oversimplified.
• The rapid rise of GLP-1 drugs and their early impact on grocery and foodservice behaviour.
• Nutrien’s reported decision to build a major potash terminal in Washington State rather than Canada.
• The tangled story behind beef prices and the federal policies that may be limiting supply.
• A big win for Canadian agriculture as GoodLeaf Farms raises $52 million to expand capacity and boost controlled-environment production.

Go Here for the The Canadian Food Sentiment Index, Volume 2, no. 1

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Leading Through Disruption: Michael Medline, (now) former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, on Culture, Strategy & Retail Transformation

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Medline) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this first instalment of a two-part exclusive, The Food Professor Podcast sits down in person with Michael Medline, (now) former President and CEO of Empire Company Limited and Sobeys, in what serendipitously became his last official interview before news broke of his transition to lead The Woodbridge Company. Michael offers a rare, deeply personal look at his eight-plus-year tenure transforming one of Canada’s largest retailers. He recounts stepping into the role in 2017, reshaping strategy, modernizing systems, and fostering a culture built on values, innovation, and operational excellence.

Michael reflects on navigating the massive disruptions of recent years—from COVID-19 to global trade volatility and technological upheaval—while maintaining a clear North Star for the organisation. He shares insights on revitalizing store formats, strengthening private-label programs, and embracing data transformation and automation to sharpen competitiveness. The conversation also explores the bold acquisitions of Farm Boy and Longo’s, discussing trust, partnership, culture, and why collaborative integration—not assimilation—is essential to preserving what makes independent banners special.

He also speaks candidly about leadership: prioritizing people, resisting micromanagement, nurturing talent, and ensuring a national grocer performs as one unified organisation rather than fragmented regional fiefdoms. Medline’s reflections on turning around the Safeway acquisition, advancing omnichannel capabilities through Voilà, and pushing Empire’s innovation agenda offer invaluable lessons for retail leaders navigating rapid change.

The episode also features a wide-ranging news conversation with Sylvain and Michael. They break down meat-industry dynamics on both sides of the Canada–U.S. border, including beef supply challenges, oligopoly concerns, and the impact of interprovincial trade barriers on Canadian prices. The hosts also explore the “protein orphan” trend driving increased chicken consumption—and the resulting supply management shortfalls—plus the social-media-fuelled surge in cottage cheese demand.

Additional segments highlight CFIA’s quietly formed task force responding to U.S. regulatory instability, early snowfall’s potential impact on holiday shopping, and the growing disconnect between global climate COP events and the real-world policy outcomes they aim to influence.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Coffee Association of Canada Conference with Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO

michael@meleblanc.co (Doug Porter) — Thu, 6 Nov 2025 08:37:08 +0000

Recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada Annual Conference, this special edition of The Food Professor Podcast with Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois brews up a rich conversation on the state of Canada’s food economy, the coffee industry’s shifting landscape, and the global forces shaping what Canadians eat and drink live on the stage.

The episode opens with Michael and Sylvain diving into the latest geopolitical tensions influencing trade and agriculture. From Washington to Mexico City, Sylvain shares insights from his travels and firsthand discussions with U.S. policy insiders and Latin American producers. The conversation highlights how Canada’s trading partners are adapting quickly, especially Mexico’s resilience and growing potential as a key agri-food ally in the hemisphere.

The professors then turn to an annual highlight — an early look at the 2026 Canada Food Price Report, compiled by a network of ten universities using AI-powered forecasting. Sylvain hints at tough times ahead for consumers, forecasting that meat and poultry prices could rise by as much as 25% in the months ahead, putting pressure on Canadian households. He connects this to the emerging “protein play” trend, where consumers are seeking protein in unconventional forms — including fortified beverages like coffee. While acknowledging the opportunity, he cautions that nutritionists are warning against over-fortification, signaling that balance and consumer education will be key.

The discussion then flows into GLP-1 drugs and their growing impact on food demand. As consumers change their eating patterns, Sylvain warns that Big Pharma’s gains may translate into Big Food’s challenges — though innovation and reformulation could open new opportunities. From AI-enabled efficiency to personalized nutrition, the professors explore how food and beverage brands must adapt to new consumption realities.

Rounding out the first half, they discuss the “Battle for the Third Place” — how coffee shops are redefining the space between home and work post-COVID. Sylvain urges operators to double down on human connection and service excellence, even as automation and rising wages push toward efficiency.

In the second half, guest Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, unpacks Canada’s economic outlook. Porter delivers a grounded view of growth, inflation, immigration, and consumer spending, labeling the new federal budget “boring — and that’s a good thing.” He weighs in on labour shortages, immigration reform, the “K-shaped” economy, and AI’s role in reshaping productivity, closing with optimism that innovation and adaptation — not fear — will guide Canada’s next decade.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cloned Meat, Coffee & Compound Butter with guest Rob Sengotta, Co-Founder of Von Slick’s Finishing Touch

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:25:01 +0000

In this flavorful new episode of The Food Professor Podcast—presented by Caddle—Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois serve up an inspiring conversation with Rob Sengotta, chef and co-founder of Von Slick’s Finishing Touch, the award-winning Manitoba-based producer of gourmet compound butters.

The Interview

Rob takes listeners behind the scenes of his chef-to-entrepreneur journey—from fine-dining kitchens in London and France to building a small-batch butter business on the prairies. He shares how curiosity and culinary discipline led to Von Slick’s signature push-tube packaging and eight imaginative flavours, including garlic confit, roasted red pepper, mushroom duxelle, and cowboy butter.

Listeners learn how Rob and partner Landon Craker turned a spark of an idea into a thriving Western Canadian brand by mastering distribution, leveraging farmers’ markets, and staying creative on social media. Rob reflects on his early appearance on Dragon’s Den, the lessons learned about timing and valuation, and the advantages of remaining proudly local. He also reveals new restaurant-format products, growing online sales nationwide, and why Canadians’ appetite for supporting homegrown brands continues to expand.

The News

In the first half, Sylvain reports live from Medellín, Colombia, where he’s attending an international conference on rural food economies. He offers a fascinating window into Colombia’s agricultural transformation—how coffee and cocoa remain vital exports and how farmers are striving to move beyond decades of narcotics-driven instability.

Back in Canada, Michael and Sylvain unpack the latest headlines:

CFIA factory inspections and the urgent need for transparency;
Health Canada’s cloned-meat consultations, why silent science can backfire, and the parallels to GMO controversies;
Parliamentary hearings on the grocery code of conduct and why supplier–retailer trust still drives price volatility;
Bank of Canada’s rate decision, its implications for restaurants and food-service recovery; and
There is a growing debate over adopting a U.S.-style SNAP food-assistance program in Canada.

This episode blends global perspective, policy insight, and entrepreneurial inspiration—proving again that from farm to fork, the Canadian food economy is as complex as it is delicious.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Blue Jays Boost, Food Inflation Blues, Dangerous Doggie Snacks & guest Kiran Mann, CEO of Brar's

michael@meleblanc.co (Kiran Mann) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:47:59 +0000

In this dynamic episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dive into the latest headlines shaping Canada’s food and beverage sector before welcoming Kiran Mann, CEO of Brar’s, one of North America’s fastest-growing South Asian food manufacturers.

The episode opens with a timely look at the hospitality boost from the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series run, a much-needed economic shot in the arm for restaurants and bars coast-to-coast. From there, Sylvain unpacks fresh Canadian inflation data, connecting global trade policy, tariffs, and drought-driven beef shortages to continued food-price volatility. He explains why Canadian beef prices will likely remain high until mid-2027, and how regional differences—from Saskatchewan’s 5.5 percent food inflation to Ontario’s 3.5 percent—highlight a widening national divide. The conversation also tackles layoffs at Molson Coors and Nestlé, changing consumer habits amid the Ozempic effect, and why Big CPG must reinvent itself as Canadians buy more locally produced goods. The duo rounds out the news rundown with an update on Agropur’s cottage-cheese lockout and a surprising salmonella outbreak in dog treats, underscoring the need for better pet-food safety oversight.

Then, Michael and Sylvain welcome Kiran Mann, an inspirational immigrant entrepreneur and visionary leader steering Brar’s from family-run origins to a national and expanding international powerhouse. Mann shares her remarkable journey—from her roots in Amritsar, India, to leading a modern Canadian company that connects authentic Indian flavours with contemporary manufacturing innovation. She explains Brar’s evolution across three categories—dairy, snacks, and sweets—including its beloved samosas, signature paneer, and pure-vegetarian veggie burgers.

Mann introduces her proprietary “Harmonic System”—a leadership and operational philosophy grounded in balance, authenticity, and purpose. Her approach integrates people, process, and passion, ensuring that growth doesn’t outpace culture or quality. The discussion explores how Brar’s sustains traditional recipes while using food science to extend shelf life naturally, create sustainable packaging, and meet the needs of health-conscious, multicultural consumers. Looking ahead, Mann outlines her strategy of “depth and impact,” combining Canadian multiculturalism, sustainable supply chains, and bold U.S. expansion to make Brar’s a global ambassador of modern Indian cuisine made in Canada.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada Climbs in MNP’s new Global Agri-Food Report this World Food Day, China offers up an exit strategy, India back on the export menu, and guest Stephen Mitchell of Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery

michael@meleblanc.co (Stephen Mitchell) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:35:34 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois open with a wide-ranging conversation on global trade tensions, the state of Canadian agriculture, and the latest policy moves shaping our food economy — before turning to the fascinating story of Stephen Mitchell, President of Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Ontario’s only beachfront winery on the Lake Erie North Shore.

Michael and Sylvain begin by unpacking the economic aftershocks of U.S. tariff wars, as soybean farmers in America face devastating losses and look for government bailouts amid shifting Chinese trade alliances. Sylvain, speaking from Purdue University in Indiana, shares first-hand insights from conversations with American farmers reeling from collapsed exports and rising equipment costs. The hosts then pivot to the EV tariff dispute between Canada, China, and the U.S., discussing whether Ottawa should drop tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to save Canadian canola farmers — a debate intensified by security concerns and diplomatic pressures. They also explore evolving Canada–India trade relations, the potential of government-run grocery stores, and Canada’s climb to #7 in the Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations report released on World Food Day, produced in partnership with MNP.

Then, Michael introduces Stephen Mitchell for a compelling look at the business of craft wine in Ontario. Stephen recounts the family story behind Sprucewood Shores — from his father’s dream of returning to his farming roots to the hands-on creation of a 52-acre lakeside vineyard and winery. He describes how the business evolved from a weekend “hobby farm” into a major local producer, now recognized for its Beach Glass Series, Classic Series, and signature Warm & Cozy mulled wine, distributed through the LCBO and beyond. Stephen details how the winery balances tradition with innovation — focusing on approachability, sustainability, and product diversification — while investing to capture new market momentum as Ontario’s wine industry gains visibility and political support. He also shares marketing lessons learned through social media, tastings, and direct-to-consumer engagement, underscoring that success in wine is about constant connection and storytelling.

Link Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations interactive site and report released on World Food Day, produced in partnership with MNP

https://www.mnp.ca/en/clients/food-and-beverage-processing/momentum-is-building-canadas-rise-in-global-agri-food#report

Link to Whole Foods trends report 2026

https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2025/10/13/whole-foods-trends-2026/.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Wild Blueberry Crisis, Doug Ford's Give & Take, TFWP Ag Sins & The Next Farmland Value Correction with guest Trent Klarenbach

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 08:28:06 +0000

In this powerful new episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dissect the forces shaping Canada’s food and agriculture economy—from farmland bubbles and provincial politics to the latest retail coffee price increases.

The show opens with Michael’s visit to Prince Edward County, where he talks about reconnecting with past guest Dan Sullivan of Rosehall Run Vineyards and celebrates the growing influence of culinary innovator and recent guest Charlotte Langley, whose tinned-seafood brand Nice Cans is redefining Canadian bespoke tinned fish dining. Sylvain weighs in on stalled interprovincial trade and Premier Doug Ford’s ongoing feud with Crown Royal and Diageo, exploring the politics of booze, bans, and consumer choice - and his support of ice cream maker Chapman's. The hosts also spotlight the wild-blueberry disaster in Atlantic Canada, where drought and fires have slashed yields by up to 70%, threatening regional processors and exports.

Then the conversation shifts to a fascinating—and controversial—guest: Trent Klarenbach, BSA AgEc PAg, Special Crops & Grain Marketing Analyst and Founder of Klarenbach Research. A former Saskatchewan farmer turned analyst, Trent explains how he uses technical analysis—tools typically reserved for stock markets—to assess farmland value. His research suggests land in Saskatchewan and Alberta may be overbought, echoing warning signs that preceded the dramatic farmland correction of the 1980s.

Trent describes how investor psychology and market cycles shape agriculture just as they do equities, applying RSI and Elliott Wave patterns to farmland data. He details his own journey through farming’s booms and busts, his motivation for building a subscription-based insights service, and the mixed reactions he’s received from farmers, lenders, and ag-finance professionals. For listeners seeking deeper understanding of the economics—and emotion—behind land ownership, his approach reframes how to think about farm equity and risk.

The episode wraps with Michael and Sylvain analyzing temporary-foreign-worker fines, Tim Hortons’ price move and Starbucks store closures, and Donald Trump’s revived talk of U.S. dairy access. They close on a high note—what soaring bullion signals about global uncertainty and food-price volatility.

Website: https://www.klarenbach.ca/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@KlarenbachResearch

Podcast:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28YhqW-kvxkfu1I6xFdtaa5BN1GVoHxa&si=_iVqyKVYCkfm6S1m

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Thanksgiving Prices, Iranian Pistachio Recalls, and the Future of "Story" Beef with guest Bryce Lobreau of 8 Acres

michael@meleblanc.co (Bryce Lobreau) — Thu, 2 Oct 2025 07:56:38 +0000

In this lively new episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dive into the latest food, retail, and agriculture headlines before sitting down with a fascinating guest: Bryce Lobreau, Co-Founder of 8 Acres, one of Canada’s most innovative organic and grass-fed beef brands.

The episode begins with a timely look at Canadians’ Thanksgiving dinner costs for 2025. Sylvain shares the results of his annual food price survey, which shows some rare good news: overall holiday meal costs are essentially flat compared to last year, with turkey and fresh produce slightly cheaper. However, canned items like cranberries and pumpkin pie fillings are more expensive due to tariffs on aluminum packaging. The hosts debate changing consumer choices at Thanksgiving, including a move toward lamb and premium proteins.

From there, Michael and Sylvain analyze the broader North American food landscape. They unpack the impact of a potential U.S. government shutdown on Canadian agriculture, food inspections, and border trade. The duo also explore the ongoing pistachio recall tied to salmonella contamination, with Sylvain warning consumers to toss any pistachio products they may still have at home. Dairy access in trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. also comes under scrutiny, with Sylvain highlighting the structural problems in Canada’s supply management system. Other hot topics include soybean market disruptions caused by Chinese buying patterns, Canada Post strikes affecting grocery flyers, wildfire impacts on crop yields, and the surprising growth of sushi sales in North American grocery stores.

The second half of the show features an in-depth conversation with Bryce Lobreau of 8 Acres. Bryce shares his journey as a third-generation Manitoba farmer who pivoted into organic cattle ranching to survive tough agricultural markets. He and his business partner, Ben Stewart, have built 8Acres into a pioneering national brand, raising over 3,000 head of cattle across certified organic and grass-fed programs. Bryce explains the challenges of scaling in today’s cattle market, from soaring calf prices to attracting new ranchers to transition into organics.

Listeners will also hear how 8Acres is embracing regenerative agriculture practices, integrating livestock into cropping systems, extending grazing periods, and even experimenting with live-stream farm cameras to build transparency with consumers. Bryce candidly discusses “farmer guilt” around pricing, the importance of branding in Canada’s protein sector, and his vision of making organic and grass-fed beef mainstream in Canadian grocery stores over the next decade.

Here is the link to buy Sylvain's great Poutine Nation:

https://utpdistribution.com/9781487541781/poutine-nation/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Solo Dining, Trade Diversification, and Snack Innovation with Kirk Homenick, President of Naturally Homegrown Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Kirk Homenick) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:09:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring their trademark mix of food industry news analysis and an in-depth conversation with a leading Canadian food entrepreneur.

The episode opens with a wide-ranging look at the Canadian retail and restaurant landscape. Sylvain shares highlights from his keynote in Brampton, Ontario, where the city is building momentum as a potential logistics hub for food and agriculture. Michael and Sylvain discuss strong retail sales numbers, resilience in consumer spending, and a new Restaurants Canada report. The report highlights shifting meal occasions, with Canadians dining out less often but increasingly turning to delivery services like UberEats and DoorDash. They also unpack the surprising rise of solo dining, with nearly 30% growth in single reservations year over year, and how restaurants can adapt to this trend through design and menu innovation. The hosts then tackle Farm Credit Canada’s call for greater export diversification, weighing the challenges of competing in heavily subsidized global markets. Finally, they examine the U.S. government’s controversial decision to cut data collection on food insecurity, with Sylvain stressing the long-term risks of limiting access to robust research data.

The second half of the episode welcomes Kirk Homenick, President of Naturally Homegrown Foods, the Surrey, B.C.–based company behind Hardbite Chips and PopTastic popcorn. Kirk shares the story of his company’s growth from humble beginnings in Maple Ridge to its current 42,000-square-foot facility. He explains how Hardbite has stood out in the competitive snack aisle by emphasizing transparency, Canadian-grown ingredients, and lifestyle-driven branding. Kirk highlights the role of avocado oil in fueling 82% annual growth since 2018, how PopTastic quickly became an award-winning hit, and why innovation in seasonal flavours and packaging keeps the brand fresh and relevant.

Kirk also offers a candid look at challenges, from volatile ingredient costs to managing manufacturing complexity, and how his team leans on operational excellence and creativity to stay ahead. Looking forward, he outlines plans for geographic expansion into Eastern Canada and the U.S., while teasing the development of entirely new snack brands focused on functionality and evolving consumer demand.

With both big-picture analysis and insider insights from one of Canada’s most dynamic snack entrepreneurs, this episode delivers food for thought on the future of retail, restaurants, and the growing snack market.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Innovation, Tariffs & TikTok Moments and guest James Maitland, CEO of Les Aliments Dainty Foods Inc.

michael@meleblanc.co (James Maitland) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 07:10:30 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver their trademark mix of hard-hitting food industry analysis and an insightful conversation with a top Canadian food leader.

The episode kicks off with a wide-ranging news segment. Michael and Sylvain debate Canada’s “Big Five” fast-tracked federal projects and why agri-food continues to be sidelined in national infrastructure planning. They highlight the missed opportunities for boosting food supply chain efficiency, from beef processing facilities to critical ports like Vancouver, which remain among the world’s least efficient. The hosts also unpack new EV tariffs targeting Chinese electric vehicles, dissect how they intersect with trade relations, and explore why Canada’s ag sector is often the first target of Chinese retaliation. The discussion moves to TikTok’s ongoing influence in food marketing, recalling Ocean Spray’s viral cranberry moment and the elusive quest for the next billion-view food trend. Rounding out the news, they tackle inflation, food counter-tariffs, and how media narratives are obscuring the real cost impact on Canadian consumers—everything from coffee and tea prices soaring by 20% to rising costs in meat, sugar, and spices.

The conversation then shifts to a feature interview with James Maitland, CEO of Les Aliments Dainty Foods Inc.—Canada’s only rice mill, located in Windsor, Ontario. James shares his career journey from General Mills and Maple Leaf Foods to leading Dainty, a company with a proud 140-year legacy. He reveals breaking news about the company’s upcoming U.S. expansion, with a $50–$75 million investment in a new facility focused on retort pouch technology and ready-to-eat innovation. James explains how Dainty sources authentic rice from global origins, mills it in Canada, and continues to grow as a trusted brand on Canadian shelves. The discussion highlights innovation, from the launch of the new Timewise brand—featuring convenient pasta and rice dishes—to sustainability initiatives like regeneratively grown rice and packaging breakthroughs.

With unique insights on tariffs, supply chain challenges, and the balance between legacy and growth, James Maitland provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead a Canadian food brand into the future.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Help Wanted? Temporary Foreign Worker Debate & Boldly Delicious Seafood with Charlotte Langley, Founder of Nice Cans

michael@meleblanc.co (Charlotte Langley) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:57:21 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois tackle the latest headlines shaping Canada’s food and retail landscape before welcoming back a dynamic entrepreneur reshaping the seafood category.

The conversation begins with a heated national debate: should Canada eliminate the Temporary Foreign Worker Program? Sylvain outlines the program’s critical role in agriculture, agri-food processing, and restaurants, weighing the Conservative proposal to phase it out against industry concerns. He highlights the tension between labour shortages in rural communities and youth unemployment, noting how food service has become “addicted” to low-wage labour. Michael points to staggering statistics—40,000 people applied for seasonal jobs at the Canadian National Exhibition—illustrating the urgency of balancing wages, job availability, and immigration.

From labour, the hosts turn to politics and trade. They unpack Quebec’s cabinet shuffle and the departure of one of the province’s longest-serving agriculture ministers, praising his role in championing Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct. Sylvain also reveals how Cody Blois, now Secretary of State to Agriculture in the Prime Minister’s Office, may wield more influence over ag policy than the minister himself. There’s cautious optimism with both China and India as Canada reopens diplomatic channels, while debates over canola’s contribution to GDP spark discussion about food security, branding, and farmer uncertainty.

The news segment also dives into consumer behaviour trends: Tim Hortons’ launch of a protein-fortified latte (with Starbucks poised to follow), the surging popularity of food delivery apps despite their impact on food literacy and household budgets, and the mixed fortunes of Canadian farmers—livestock producers are enjoying high returns, while grain and dairy producers face challenges. Finally, Michael and Sylvain discuss Cracker Barrel’s failed brand refresh, underlining the importance of innovation that resonates with consumers.

The second half features a spirited interview with Charlotte Langley, Founder of Nice Cans and CEO of Langley Foods. A chef, ocean steward, and veteran food entrepreneur, Charlotte shares how her cheekily named canned seafood brand is making sustainability delicious. She explains how pushing for MSC certification in Portugal helped transform the entire sardine fishery, elevating sustainability standards across 21 operations. Charlotte also details her collaborations—like a World Oceans Day partnership with Cheekbone Beauty—and the creative process behind launching new products that are both innovative and scalable.

Special listener discount: Use code DELISHFISH for 20% off <3 Nice Cans!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Kraft Heinz Shake-Up, Meal Kit Growth, Crown Royal tears & guest Greg Mercer, Investigative Reporter & Author, The Lobster Trap: The Global Fight for A Seafood on the Brink

michael@meleblanc.co (Greg Mercer) — Thu, 4 Sep 2025 07:05:00 +0000

Season Six, Episode Two of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, blends sharp industry commentary with a fascinating guest interview. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a rapid-fire news roundup before diving deep into the global lobster story with award-winning journalist and author Greg Mercer.

The news segment sets the tone with big changes in consumer packaged goods. Kraft Heinz’s decision to split operations sparks debate on the future of “bigger is better” corporate strategies, recalling the infamous ketchup wars and highlighting how local plants may be impacted. The hosts also explore the collapse of Yves, a once-beloved Canadian plant-based food brand, and the broader struggles facing Beyond Meat and other players in the competitive, margin-tight meat alternatives market. Meal kits return to the spotlight with fresh survey data showing usage doubling since pre-pandemic levels, despite consumer pushback over price and packaging waste. Other highlights include Canadian trade friction over canola biofuel, positive signals in Canada–India relations, and Doug Ford’s controversial Crown Royal protest following Diageo’s U.S. plant shift. Wrapping up, the hosts acknowledge leadership transitions at McDonald’s Canada and the Retail Council of Canada.

The second half welcomes Greg Mercer, investigative reporter for The Globe and Mail and author of The Lobster Trap: The Global Fight for a Seafood on the Brink. Mercer shares his journey into journalism, the painstaking work of investigative reporting, and the inspirations behind his first book. He explains how lobster evolved from a “cockroach of the sea” to a global luxury product, and why the industry now sits at a dangerous crossroads. From the collapse of Rhode Island’s lobster fishery to escalating tensions between Indigenous and commercial fisheries in Nova Scotia, Mercer paints a vivid picture of an industry both lucrative and fragile. He examines the outsized role of China as a market driver, the looming threat of climate change, and the urgent need for ecological—not just economic—policy decisions to prevent history from repeating the cod fishery collapse of the 1990s.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Season Six Debut: Elbows Down on Tariffs, the China Conundrum, and Canada’s De Minimis Decisions

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:29:06 +0000

Season Six of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, kicks off with hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois diving into a whirlwind of summer news, trade turbulence, and big-picture food industry shifts. This debut episode sets the tone for what promises to be a dynamic and thought-provoking season.

Michael and Sylvain begin with personal updates from a busy summer, including travels to Quebec City, Sylvain’s new role as Visiting Scholar at McGill University, and Michael’s experiences covering retail in New York. They also announce that full video episodes of The Food Professor are now available on YouTube, expanding the show’s reach as podcasting and video continue to converge.

The discussion quickly pivots to critical economic and policy issues. The hosts unpack Ottawa’s decision to end retaliatory countervailing tariffs on U.S. food imports—a move Sylvain argues was long overdue, as tariffs only raised costs for Canadian consumers while doing little to protect domestic industries. With food inflation running hot, Sylvain predicts prices will ease by early fall, pointing to statements from Loblaw CEO Per Bank as validation.

From there, the pair explore the elimination of the U.S. “de minimis” exemption, a decision with far-reaching consequences for Canadian small businesses and independent food producers shipping across the border. Michael emphasizes how indie retailers relying on U.S. customers will be hit hardest, while Sylvain warns that Ottawa must address Canada’s own $150 threshold to avoid worsening inequities.

The conversation expands globally with a deep dive into China’s escalating tariffs on Canadian canola, pork, and lobster—measures Sylvain interprets as retaliation for Canada’s 100% tariff on Chinese EVs. He makes the case for a more nuanced approach: segment tariffs between luxury and affordable EVs, allowing consumers greater choice while protecting farmers from geopolitical fallout.

Other highlights include an analysis of the pickle aisle—yes, really—where the Bick’s withdrawal from Canada illustrates the tangled realities of cross-border food supply chains. The hosts also discuss Dr Pepper Keurig’s acquisition of JDE Peet’s, situating it within a larger trend of consumer packaged goods giants restructuring in response to inflation, climate change, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and a rewiring of global trade flows.

The episode wraps on a lighter note, celebrating the Canadian arrival of Bobby Flay’s Burger concept and teasing next week’s guest, Globe and Mail journalist Greg Mercer, author of The Lobster Trap.

With sharp analysis, lively banter, and a keen eye on the forces reshaping food and retail, Michael and Sylvain set the stage for a season that will track how consumers, farmers, and retailers navigate inflation, trade disputes, shifting supply chains, and new food trends.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, on Tariffs, Trade & the Future of Food Innovation

michael@meleblanc.co (Brian Choi\, Brian Choi) — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, for a candid conversation recorded live at the SIAL Canada show. Born in Calgary and now based in New York, Brian brings a unique global perspective on food, trade, and the evolution of consumer behavior.

Brian shares the remarkable story of how he acquired the Food Institute in January 2020—mere weeks before the pandemic upended the world. At that time, the Food Institute was a dated print publication struggling to remain relevant. Within two weeks of acquiring the business, Brian devised a three-point turnaround plan and secured early investment, transforming the brand into a digital-first media, data, and advisory company serving clients across food manufacturing, retail, and foodservice. Today, the Food Institute offers proprietary real-time analytics—drawing from menu data, retail insights, and social listening—akin to a Bloomberg terminal for the food industry.

From there, the conversation shifts to the pressing challenges shaping the global food landscape. Brian breaks down the impact of U.S. tariffs on food and beverage markets, noting how they have eroded trust in trade relationships and forced companies to reassess strategies. He explains that unlike the pandemic, where leaders expected a “return to normal,” today’s tariff-driven environment represents a systemic shift. Companies must now prepare for lasting volatility, requiring a new generation of leaders skilled in scenario planning, geopolitical awareness, and rapid adaptation.

Brian and Michael explore how these trade disruptions may push Canada to diversify away from its overwhelming reliance on U.S. markets, drawing comparisons to Australia’s successful diversification strategy. They also discuss the challenges of expanding into complex regions like India and Europe, and the critical need for stronger public-private partnerships to strengthen global trade relationships.

Looking to the future, Brian reflects on where he would invest $20 million in the Canadian food sector. His answer? Areas that blend health, wellness, and innovation, particularly cleaner ingredients, nutraceuticals, and underutilized natural resources such as berries rich in antioxidants. While he expresses caution about the long-term implications of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, he acknowledges their disruptive influence on consumer eating habits and the opportunities this shift may create for food companies.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Pine-Covered Perfection: Moosbrugger’s Dieter Heidegger on Global Austrian Award-Winning Cheese

michael@meleblanc.co (Dieter Heidegger) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:27:24 +0000

In this flavour-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Canada Food Innovation Show, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois welcome Dieter Heidegger of Moosbrugger, for an in-depth conversation about the art, tradition, and innovation behind Austria’s award-winning cheeses.

Dieter shares the fascinating story of Moosbrugger’s humble beginnings, tracing its roots back to the owner’s father-in-law, a master cheesemaker who started selling cheese from the back of a car. Through passion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to quality, the company has grown into an internationally recognized brand—most recently winning a gold medal in a prestigious blind tasting in France for its distinctive pine-covered semi-hard cheese.

Listeners will learn how Moosbrugger’s cheeses stand out in a crowded market through a combination of small-scale, sustainable farming, traditional production methods, and a willingness to innovate with unique flavours that surprise and delight consumers. Dieter explains why sourcing from small farms, minimizing transportation, and working with master cheesemakers ensures both exceptional taste and environmental responsibility.

The conversation also dives into the global trade landscape, with Dieter offering first-hand insights into how COVID-19 and shifting geopolitical dynamics have reshaped production strategies, sourcing decisions, and international market opportunities. From reducing dependency on far-flung suppliers to embracing slower, more deliberate distribution models, Moosbrugger is adapting to a more resilient, future-focused approach to food production.

Innovation plays a central role in Moosbrugger’s long-term success. Dieter reveals how the company’s development process blends open-minded trend awareness with rigorous product testing to ensure new creations meet both creative ambitions and consumer demand. By testing with unbiased panels and allowing products to develop over years rather than months, Moosbrugger ensures each launch is built for lasting success.

From Austria’s deep culinary heritage to modern market challenges, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a company balancing tradition, creativity, and global competitiveness—all while producing some of the world’s most distinctive and delicious cheeses. Whether you’re a cheese lover, food industry professional, or fan of entrepreneurial success stories, this episode will leave you hungry to taste the pine-covered perfection that’s turning heads in Canada and beyond.

https://www.kaese-moosbrugger.at/en/

https://www.advantageaustria.org/ca/servicecenter/Buero-Toronto.en.html

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Butter Believe It: Shruti Priya Agarwal & Akshay Kalekar Stir Up the Market with Whipdd

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 7 Aug 2025 07:44:32 +0000

In this flavourful episode of The Food Professor Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Shruti Priya Agarwal and Akshay Kalekar, the co-founders of Whipdd, a rising Canadian food startup transforming the humble butter into a flavour-packed experience. Born from a spark in a home kitchen in India, their story is one of culinary creativity, entrepreneurial hustle, and cross-continental ambition.

Shruti, a trained chef with over a decade of experience in the pastry world, first started crafting flavoured garlic butter for friends and family. The rave reviews led to the idea for a scalable product. Upon moving to Canada during the pandemic, she reconnected with Akshay, a fellow business school alum and serial entrepreneur with a background in hospitality and fresh food delivery. Together, they brought Whipdd to life.

What started as a kitchen experiment has become a full-fledged brand now carried nationally in Whole Foods Market locations across Canada, thanks to distribution support from Tree of Life and national brokerage by Sinn Solutions. Their product line features five standout flavours: Herb & Garlic, Smoked Chilli, Strawberry, Honey Cinnamon, and Real Strawberry — all crafted with high-quality Canadian dairy and clean, simple ingredients.

Michael samples each on mic (yes, it's mouthwatering!) while Shruti and Akshay discuss the importance of natural ingredients, consumer feedback, and flavour innovation. They reveal how they're rapidly scaling up, with upcoming product extensions including a 250g herb & garlic butter brick and single-serve portion cups for airlines and hotels.

Their vision goes beyond groceries. The duo is actively exploring foodservice partnerships, airline catering, and big-box retail listings with the likes of Costco, Farm Boy, and Sobeys. And with global interest bubbling up, the Whipdd team is positioning itself for an international takeoff.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Bananas, Business & A Better World: Meet Tamara Al Dip & Yazeed Yasin, Co-Founders of NanaShake, winners of the SIAL Canada CPG pitch competition in Toronto

michael@meleblanc.co (Tamara Aldip, Yazeed Yasin) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this deliciously inspiring episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down live in person in Toronto at the SIAL Food Innovation show with Tamara Al Dip and Yazeed Yasin, the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind NanaShake, a frozen treat brand making waves with their vegan-friendly, upcycled banana-based pops.

Fresh off their win at the SIAL Canada pitch competition, Tamara and Yazeed share their entrepreneurial journey, rooted in a desire to find a healthy, asthma-friendly dessert for their son. What started as a scoop shop in Toronto has since evolved into a thriving CPG brand available in over 1,200 stores across Canada, including Metro and Sobeys. Their product? A naturally sweet "smoothie on a stick" that's dairy-free, low in added sugars, and made with their cashew milk. As they proudly proclaim, NanaShake is "shaking up the ice cream category"—literally.

Throughout the episode, listeners will hear the heartwarming origin story of the brand, the family's immigration to Canada, and how their kids have played an active role in the business, including their daughter landing a major retail listing at just 12 years old. The couple's passion, purpose, and persistence shine through, particularly in their discussion of using upcycled bananas to align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for responsible consumption and production.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Bulldog Behind the Brand: Sauce Boss Pierre-Olivier Drouin on Building Quebec's Firebarns

michael@meleblanc.co (Pierre-Olivier Drouin) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this sizzling episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Canada food innovation show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael and Sylvain welcome Pierre-Olivier Drouin, Co-Founder of Firebarns, the fast-growing Quebec-based condiment company that brings flavour-first hot sauces to shelves across North America.

Pierre-Olivier shares his unexpected journey from banking at RBC to launching Firebarns after a revelatory encounter with spicy wings during a hockey game in Florida. Inspired by that moment, he partnered with longtime friend Frank to build what they dreamed would be the next Tabasco—made in Canada. Their goal? A bold brand that flips the script by delivering taste before heat.

Launched in 2015, Firebarns quickly became Quebec’s first dedicated hot sauce brand. Since then, it has expanded into a diverse product line that includes BBQ sauces, ketchup, mustards, and Sriracha—all made with Canadian ingredients and designed for broader family appeal. Their innovative packaging—30% recycled squeezable plastic bottles—has helped the brand stand out in crowded condiment aisles and reflects their commitment to sustainability.

Pierre-Olivier discusses how Firebarns has scaled, with distribution now in over 1,100 U.S. stores and more expansion underway, including Texas-based H-E-B. He opens up about navigating international trade headwinds, such as tariffs, and how careful financial planning and food costing helped buffer against unexpected 25% duties. His insight offers valuable lessons for other CPG entrepreneurs seeking to expand across borders.

The episode also dives into Firebarns’ savvy use of influencer marketing and content creation to build a passionate community of fans, especially among younger consumers aged 25–45. Drouin emphasizes the power of authenticity—whether through engaging product demos or the story of Barney, the company’s late bulldog mascot and original “CEO,” now succeeded by Barney Jr.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Decoding Canada's Culinary Culture with Laura Brehaut, National Post Food Reporter: SIAL Summer Bonus

michael@meleblanc.co (Laura Brehaut) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this live episode from the SIAL Canada show floor in Toronto, we welcome a very special guest: Laura Brehaut, Food Reporter at the National Post. With a thoughtful blend of experience in anthropology, media production, culinary training, and a deep journalistic instinct, Laura offers a compelling perspective on Canada's evolving food landscape and how stories around food intersect with culture, politics, health, and economics.

Co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois flip the script by interviewing Laura, who is usually the one asking the questions. Laura shares how her journey began in anthropology and linguistics before transitioning into media, where her love for storytelling led her to online radio and digital journalism, long before podcasts were mainstream.

As a seasoned journalist, Laura offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tradecraft of reporting in today's rapidly changing media landscape. Despite the pressures of multi-platform content, Laura remains grounded in the written word, driven by a sense of purpose and a commitment to serving her readers. Her curiosity and dedication to integrity shape her reporting, which spans a wide range of topics, from Canadian whiskey to protein trends and food sustainability.

The conversation dives into key themes for 2025, including the continued momentum of the "Buy Canadian" movement, the impact of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic on food choices, and a renewed focus on fibre and functional ingredients. Laura also weighs in on the rise of alternative proteins and blended meat products, highlighting recent research showing their increasing consumer acceptance, especially among omnivores.

She speaks candidly about the role of AI in journalism, the importance of authentic storytelling, and why she would never buy an AI-generated cookbook. Her advice for aspiring reporters? Stay curious, stay humble, and never assume you know how an interview will go.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Retail, Riesling, and Relationships: Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars on Building a Brand That Lasts

michael@meleblanc.co (Ed Madronich) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-Michael interviews Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars, recorded live at the Ontario Craft Wineries Conference in Niagara Falls.

As part of the podcast's summer series highlighting thought leaders in the Canadian food and beverage industry, this episode delves into Ed's personal and professional journey through the wine industry and the evolution of one of Ontario's most celebrated wineries.

Ed shares how a chance trip to France at age 19 sparked his lifelong love for wine—an encounter that led to a career built on passion, community, and a dedication to quality. He reveals the philosophy that drives Flat Rock Cellars: celebrating "place" by making wine that reflects the soil, slope, and unique geography of the 20 Mile Bench in the Niagara Peninsula, while breaking down the traditional, often intimidating barriers to wine appreciation.

The conversation encompasses not only terroir and taste, but also strategy, particularly in terms of market access and retail. Ed opens up about his unorthodox but successful approach to distribution, including the brand's strong presence in Costco. He emphasizes relationship-building over aggressive selling and explains how Flat Rock positions itself as a true partner to retail and restaurant buyers. "We don't push product," he says. "We build long-term trust and deliver exceptional value."

With a customer-first mindset and a refusal to compromise on quality or authenticity, Flat Rock has earned industry-wide respect. Ed discusses how the brand's low-margin, high-quality model has even challenged global competitors, and how his team constantly works to overdeliver, producing $25 bottles that sommeliers say rival the quality of $50 wines.

From label design to customer education, the episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in craft winemaking, retail dynamics, or brand storytelling. Listeners will come away inspired by Ed's down-to-earth leadership and his clear commitment to helping consumers connect with wine, not through pretension, but through joy, passion, and a sense of place.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Seeds of Change: Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, on the Future of Farming: SIAL Summer Bonus

michael@meleblanc.co (Keith Currie) — Thu, 3 Jul 2025 07:44:07 +0000

In this insightful summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, live from the floor of SIAL Toronto. Representing more than 190,000 farmers and ranchers across the country and an eighth-generation farmer himself, Currie provides a candid, wide-ranging view on the future of Canadian agriculture—and why it's time for policymakers to pay closer attention.

Currie highlights that agriculture contributes more than $150 billion to Canada's GDP and employs 2.5 million Canadians, surpassing the combined total of the auto, forestry, oil and gas, and steel industries. Yet agriculture remains a "quiet success story," underrepresented in national economic strategy. He argues that improved connectivity between farm producers, food processors, retailers, and policymakers is essential for ensuring sustainable growth.

Topics include the implications of carbon pricing on rural producers, where Currie underscores the infrastructure gap that limits farmers' ability to adopt greener technologies. He advocates for more innovative climate solutions—such as cap-and-trade and regionally tailored resiliency programs—that don't unfairly penalize producers while acknowledging that border carbon adjustments are rapidly approaching in trade policy.

Currie also stresses the importance of regulatory reform, referencing Ontario's red tape reduction model as a blueprint. Trade remains a central pillar of his advocacy, particularly in addressing non-tariff barriers and ensuring that agreements are effectively enforced, especially in complex markets like India.

On the issue of succession planning, Currie discusses tools now available to help multi-generational farm families transition wealth and ownership without heavy tax burdens. With rising land values and farm assets, he emphasizes the need for financial institutions and governments to support the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Throughout the conversation, Currie brings passion, realism, and a long-view perspective on agriculture's unique position in the Canadian economy. He calls on policymakers to shift from viewing farming as a sector in need of aid to one of untapped potential and national strength.

From food security to innovation and sustainability, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who eats, votes, or works in the food industry.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

From Farm to Gold: Chantal Van Winden’s Camelina Oil Wins SIAL Innovation 2025: Summer Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Chantal Van Winden, Jo-Ann McArthur) — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:08:19 +0000

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome two exceptional guests: Joanne McArthur, President of Nourish Food Marketing and co-chair of the SIAL Innovation jury, and Chantal Van Winden, CEO of Olimega and this year’s SIAL Innovation Gold Medal winner. The episode dives deep into Chantal’s award-winning product—Camelina oil with a buttery flavour—unpacking its health benefits, sustainable production, and commercial potential.

Chantal shares the remarkable 18-year journey behind the development of camelina oil, a uniquely Canadian innovation. With 35% Omega-3, high antioxidant content, and an exceptionally high smoke point (475°F), the oil is a healthy, locally grown alternative to avocado and olive oil. Grown in cold climates with short growing seasons, camelina thrives in Northern Quebec and supports sustainable farming practices, including soil health improvement and pollinator partnerships with beekeepers.

Joanne offers behind-the-scenes insight into the SIAL Innovation judging process, where over 170 products from more than 70 countries are evaluated. She highlights the rigorous selection process and emphasizes why Chantal’s camelina oil stood out—not just for its health properties but also for its taste, innovation, and commercial viability. The buttery flavour was developed through natural aroma infusion and is particularly suited for applications like popcorn—a detail that excited the hosts and exemplifies the product’s consumer appeal.

Beyond its nutritional edge, camelina oil tells a compelling Canadian story—rooted in agricultural innovation, sustainability, and female entrepreneurship. Chantal recounts how the crop was initially planted to improve soil health on her family farm and later developed into a premium oil after discovering its omega-rich properties. With demand rising internationally—35% of Olimega’s business is export-based—she now has a waitlist of Canadian farmers eager to grow the crop.

Tune in to hear how this buttery Canadian oil may be the next pantry staple and discover what it takes to win one of the most prestigious awards in food innovation.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Smokin Jon's BBQ: Summer SIAL Food Innovation Show Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:56:25 +0000

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc brings listeners straight to the SIAL Food Innovation Show floor for a flavorful conversation with Chef Jonathan Maters, co-founder of Smokin Jon’s BBQ & Company. Born in Newfoundland and based in New Brunswick, Jonathan shares how a pandemic-era pivot turned his passion for barbecue into a growing food enterprise capturing the attention of retailers and food lovers alike.

Jonathan walks us through his culinary roots, detailing how he started with a single signature sauce—Smoky Maple—bottled and sold from his backyard deck. With demand quickly outpacing his capacity, he moved into Class 5 kitchens and later secured a co-packing partner to scale his product line. Now, with a robust lineup of unique, clean-label barbecue sauces, hot sauces, and spice rubs, Smokin’ Jon’s is turning heads across Canada.

From the Cuban-inspired Cubana BBQ sauce (orange juice, cumin, and oregano!) to the fiery Carolina Reaper sauce and low-sodium, filler-free spice blends, Jonathan emphasizes innovation, authenticity, and health-conscious ingredients. He shares how packaging design and colour-coded branding help his products stand out on crowded shelves.

Jonathan also opens up about the hard realities of food entrepreneurship—from navigating CFIA and FDA regulations to the steep costs of national shelf space, and his evolving relationship with major retailers like Sobeys and Loblaws. He reflects on the role of local government support, challenges in accessing infrastructure, and the importance of marketing hustle, including a growing Instagram following built on grassroots cooking content.

Listeners will appreciate Jonathan’s frank insights on building a business from scratch, his strategic use of flavour storytelling, and his advice to fellow food entrepreneurs: “You’ll hear ten no’s for every yes—but that one yes is everything.”

This episode is packed with practical inspiration, tasty ideas, and a genuine look behind the scenes of a fast-growing Canadian food brand. Whether you're a barbecue enthusiast, aspiring food entrepreneur, or retail insider, this conversation will leave you fired up and hungry for more.

https://smokinjonsbbq.ca/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BBQ Legends, Bureaucracy & Back-to-School with guests Texas Monthly's Daniel Vaughn & Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle in the Hot Seat

michael@meleblanc.co (Daniel Vaughn, Ransom Hawley) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:57:09 +0000

The Food Professor Podcast closes out its fifth season (sort of) with a sizzling, two-guest double feature and a feast of food industry insights.

Co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick things off with a robust news round-up, starting with the Competition Bureau’s lawsuit against DoorDash. The case alleges deceptive pricing practices that could set a major precedent in Canada’s rapidly evolving food delivery sector. Next up is a conversation about GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, and their surprising ripple effects across the food and restaurant industries. With major players like McDonald’s flagging GLP-1’s impact on consumer demand, the hosts unpack how appetite suppression could force chains to rethink menus and marketing.

Turning to politics, the duo dives into the return of Bill C-202, which aims to legislate permanent protection for supply-managed sectors like dairy. Sylvain, fresh from testifying before Senate, challenges the notion that legislation ensures economic security, arguing that this approach stifles innovation and shrinks global opportunities for Canada’s dairy sector. The conversation highlights deeper questions about food affordability, trade readiness, and long-term resilience in Canadian agriculture.

The episode then shifts to the guest segment, welcoming Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly’s Barbecue Editor and the man behind the publication’s iconic “Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas” list. Daniel shares his personal journey from Ohio to Texas BBQ fanatic, reveals the meticulous tasting process behind the prestigious list, and highlights innovations shaping the future of craft barbecue—from smoked lamb to Vietnamese fusion. He also reflects on the human side of the industry, including stories of pitmasters overcoming illness, personal loss, and economic challenges, all while pursuing culinary greatness.

Wrapping the episode, Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle and presenting sponsor of the podcast, joins to share exclusive insights from a new back-to-school consumer study. He reveals that two-thirds of Canadian parents begin planning in late spring, and that private-label grocery products are increasingly popular—especially among families with younger children. He discusses emotional purchase behavior, the importance of online research, and how grocers and retailers can tailor promotions for maximum impact.

With bold opinions, brisket, and back-to-school tips, this finale serves up equal parts smoke and strategy.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Vince Sgabellone from Circana Dishes on Dining Trends, Pepper Predicament, and Aluminium, America & Grocery Shopping Trends

michael@meleblanc.co (Vince Sgabellone) — Thu, 5 Jun 2025 10:29:41 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, opens with co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois breaking down the week’s top food and retail stories.

First, they tackle the evolving Canadian political stance on supply management. Prime Minister Carney’s reversal in support of Bill C-282 suggests renewed government protectionism in agricultural trade, potentially complicating future international deals. Sylvain, who testified against the bill, argues for a smarter, more competitive dairy sector rather than entrenching status quo inefficiencies.

Next, they examine the return of Trump-era tariffs, including a 50% levy on aluminum. This move could squeeze margins in the canned food and craft beer sectors. Sylvain praises the Canadian government’s decision not to retaliate immediately, calling it a strategic pause rather than knee-jerk nationalism. Then they discuss NielsenIQ data revealing that Canadians are cutting back on U.S. goods—not necessarily out of patriotism, but due to anti-American sentiment—while failing to significantly boost local Canadian brands.

The final news item highlights the surprising global shortage of black pepper, linked to poor climate and farming shifts. As Sylvain jokes, barbecue fans like Michael may want to stock up on their secret weapon: 16-mesh pepper!

The spotlight then shifts to special guest Vince Sgabellone, Food Service Industry Analyst at Circana Canada. Vince shares compelling insights from the frontlines of Canadian food service. A major trend? The explosion of global cuisine. Whether it’s falafel shops, Nepalese momo dumplings, or Ethiopian cafés, Canadians are craving authentic international flavors—even from mainstream chains like Recipe Unlimited.

Vince attributes much of this shift to immigration and younger generations of diners. One-third of all restaurant visits now come from people of color, and that number is even higher among Gen Z. These consumers are reshaping the restaurant landscape, fueling growth in fast casual dining and independent eateries with strong ethnic roots.

He also reveals that dining out remains resilient in Canada, especially compared to a softening U.S. market. Delivery and takeout are climbing again, even as lunch remains the industry’s weakest segment due to remote work. The growing popularity of solo dining, driven by changing social patterns and younger demographics, is creating new design opportunities for restaurant operators.

This episode is rich in data, spiced with insights, and ends with a wild story about an elephant raiding a grocery store in Thailand—a perfect reminder that food always finds a way to surprise us.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Brisket, Buc-ee’s & Big Ideas plus Spilling the Tea Tariff & guest Tonia Jahshan of Sipology Steeps Up Global Growth

michael@meleblanc.co (Tonia Jahshan) — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast is steeped in insights, storytelling, and smoky Texas flavour. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a deep dive into the state of Canadian agri-food policy, tariffs, and food inflation before welcoming a very special guest: Tonia Jahshan, Founder and CEO of Sipology.

Broadcasting remotely from Texas, Sylvain shares updates from his new role as head of the prestigious Masters in Agribusiness program at Texas A&M University—ranked #1 in the U.S. and #3 globally. He offers behind-the-scenes insights into the world of American ag education, donor-funded infrastructure, and his leadership plans. Amidst meetings with deans and exploring campus, Sylvain visits a Texas institution of another kind—Buc-ee’s, the legendary convenience store-meets-theme-park known for its brisket, wall of jerky, and award-winning bathrooms. The hosts revel in Buc-ee’s cult status and then Michael highlights the newly released Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ list, the Michelin Guide of Texas barbecue. Sylvain, a BBQ enthusiast, is already planning future brisket pilgrimages. Congrats to our guest on the #pod from earlier this year Chuck Charnichart from Barb's BQ for making the list!!

From Texas to Toronto, the episode pivots to policy with an analysis of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new mandate letter. Sylvain critiques its lack of clarity for the agri-food sector, calling for a shift from farm-gate thinking to value-chain strategy. The hosts then turn to the thorny issue of tea tariffs, which are hitting Canadian importers hard despite recent government reprieves. With tea being a $1.3 billion market in Canada—and nearly all of it imported—these tariffs are creating real cost pressures. The duo also revisits the long-running bread price-fixing investigation, discussing Loblaw’s recent $500 million class action settlement and why the Competition Bureau’s probe remains unresolved.

In the second half of the episode, Tonia Jahshan joins the pod live from the SIAL Canada show floor. The inspirational founder of Sipology (formerly Steeped Tea) shares her origin story: how a single sip of loose-leaf Earl Grey in Nova Scotia after a miscarriage led to a wellness-focused tea empire. From launching a side hustle to pitching on Dragons’ Den, growing to 8,000 consultants, and creating Health Canada-approved products like menopause relief teas and fizzy matchas, Tonia’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and remarkable growth. Now expanding globally and embracing an omni-channel model, she’s brewing up a bold new future for Sipology.

With a rich mix of policy insights, business strategy, entrepreneurial inspiration—and a side of Texas BBQ—this episode is a flavourful must-listen.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada's Food Inflation Crisis, Ag Minister an Animal Farm Fan, Selena Gomez Oreos, and Craft Wine Innovation, Resilience and Opportunity with Dan Sullivan from Rosehall Run Vineyards

michael@meleblanc.co (Dan Sullivan) — Thu, 22 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

This episode opens with alarming news about Canada's food inflation reaching crisis levels. Charlebois reveals that Canada now has the highest food inflation rate among G7 countries, primarily driven by countervailing tariffs that have backfired on Canadian consumers. The hosts explain how Prime Minister Carney quietly eliminated most food-related tariffs on May 7th, though this decision received little public attention during the election. The discussion highlights how these tariffs made alternatives to American products more expensive, creating a perfect storm for Canadian grocery shoppers.

The conversation shifts to emerging issues like "maple washing," where Charlebois shares specific examples of pricing discrepancies between products marketed as Canadian on the shelves versus imported products, urging grocers to exercise greater caution in their merchandising practices.

A significant business development takes center stage as Quebec's Excel chicken processing cooperative faces a potential acquisition by Saputo subsidiary Sofina. This $6 billion deal could reshape Eastern Canada's supply chain under supply management systems, potentially leading to higher chicken prices and operational challenges.

The interview segment features Dan Sullivan from Rosehall Run Vineyards, one of Prince Edward County's premier wine producers. Sullivan shares his 25-year journey transforming a 150-acre farm into one of Ontario's largest family-owned wineries in the region, producing 9,000-14,000 cases annually. He discusses how Prince Edward County evolved from a drive-through destination to a four-season wine tourism hotspot, emphasizing the region's focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals.

Sullivan explains how social media marketing has revolutionized wine sales, moving away from traditional critic-driven recommendations toward peer influence and community building. He describes their dual distribution strategy, selling premium estate wines directly while maintaining LCBO presence with entry-level products that serve as consumer introductions to the brand.

The episode explores recent Ontario government support for the wine industry, including Premier Doug Ford's $35 million funding commitment over five years. Sullivan expresses optimism about current market opportunities, particularly given recent trade disruptions that have created space for Ontario wines on retail shelves.

We also discuss innovative celebrity food collaborations, highlighting Selena Gomez's partnership with Oreo to create a horchata-flavored cookie. They note Gomez's remarkable success as one of the youngest self-made billionaires at 32, worth $1.3 billion, mainly through her Rare Beauty brand and strategic collaborations. The discussion extends to other celebrity food ventures, including Ryan Reynolds' successful breakfast collaboration with Tim Hortons, which generated impressive lineups and sales.

These segments underscore broader themes of food security, consumer choice, and the complex interplay between government policy and market dynamics affecting Canadian food producers and consumers.

Premier Doug Ford photo credit: Photo by Ernest Doroszuk /Toronto Sun

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

New Liberal Cabinet & Ag Minister, Newfoundland Sugar Tax Fail, Cricket Bankruptcy Bugs Sylvain, and guest Adam Grogan, President & COO, Maple Leaf Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 15 May 2025 07:26:39 +0000

In this insightful episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois explore Canadian food politics and industry developments before sitting down with Adam Grogan, President and COO of Maple Leaf Foods, for a revealing conversation about the company's evolution and future.

The episode begins with a discussion of Canada's new Liberal cabinet, focusing on Heath MacDonald from PEI as the new Agriculture Minister replacing Kody Blois. The hosts express mixed feelings about the appointment, noting MacDonald's farming background as a positive sign. They also analyze Chrystia Freeland's surprising role as Transportation Minister and its implications for agricultural logistics.

Another highlight includes the new interprovincial trade deal between Manitoba and Ontario, which aims to reduce trade barriers. Charlebois emphasizes that such provincial initiatives will drive meaningful change, not federal promises, potentially opening new markets for small and medium-sized food producers currently limited by licensing requirements.

The hosts then discuss American food inflation dropping from 3% to 2.8% despite tariffs, questioning why U.S. consumers haven't experienced price increases despite trade restrictions with Canada, China, and Mexico.

The feature interview with Adam Grogan reveals Maple Leaf Foods' transformation beyond being merely a protein company. Grogan describes the organization as a "CPG powerhouse" with numerous brands, including Tender Flake lard, Sunrise, Larson, Burns, Mitchell's, Schneiders, Prime poultry, and Greenfield natural meats. He also discusses their $1 billion investment in processing facilities in London, Winnipeg, and Brampton to enhance global competitiveness.

On plant-based proteins, Grogan shares a nuanced perspective, noting they are "the largest share of refrigerated plant protein in North America" with three dedicated brands and manufacturing plants. While acknowledging recent market challenges, he remains optimistic about the future, citing changing consumer preferences and Canada's position as the world's largest producer of pulses and legumes.

Sustainability forms a cornerstone of their strategy, with Grogan stating, "Animal production is one of the largest emitters of carbon anywhere, and big food needs to do more." Maple Leaf Foods was the first Canadian company to align with science-based targets from the Paris Agreement and the first major food company to declare carbon neutrality in 2019.

The episode concludes with discussions on Newfoundland's ineffective sugar tax, which has collected $30 million without changing consumption patterns, and the controversial government-funded Aspire Foods cricket farm in London that recently entered receivership despite $9 million in public funding.

This episode offers valuable insights into Canadian food policy, sustainable protein production, and the evolution of one of Canada's largest food companies under progressive leadership.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Sylvain says "Howdy" to Texas A&M, Canadian Food Sentiment Index No. 2, and from Farm to Global Table: Gilles Froment, International Dairy Federation President and Lactalis Canada SVP

michael@meleblanc.co (Gilles Froment) — Thu, 8 May 2025 07:52:41 +0000

In Season 5, Episode 35 of The Food Professor podcast, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois deliver an information-packed episode with significant developments in both personal and industry news.

Sylvain Charlebois opens with a major announcement about joining Texas A&M University on August 1st to lead their #1-ranked Masters in Agribusiness program while maintaining his position at Dalhousie University. Speaking from Saskatoon, Sylvain shares insights about his keynote on AI in the food business and briefly touches on the political climate following recent Canadian election results.

The second Canadian Food Sentiment Index reveals continued concerns about food inflation, with many consumers pessimistically expecting double-digit inflation rates. The report highlights growing consumer trust in independent grocers, likely driven by the strengthening Buy Local movement. Sylvain notes that grocery retailers like Loblaw are becoming more transparent about strategic challenges they face.

The featured interview showcases an in-depth in-person conversation live at SIAL Canada between Sylvain and Gilles Froment, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at Lactalis and President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), marking the podcast's first solo interview by Sylvain in five years.

Froment, only the third Canadian to head the IDF in its 120-year history, explains the organization's role in establishing global dairy standards through its network of 1,200 experts worldwide. The discussion covers critical industry topics including the challenges of plant-based alternatives using dairy terminology, global dairy demand outpacing supply, and the projection of a significant global milk shortage by 2030—potentially equivalent to three times Canada's annual production.

Both experts agree this shortage represents a missed opportunity for Canada due to supply management limitations, despite the country's excellent reputation for dairy quality and safety standards. The conversation also explores sustainability challenges facing the dairy industry, with Froment detailing his four-pillar approach: economic sustainability, social impact, environmental responsibility, and nutritional value.

Climate change initiatives discussed include carbon sequestration research, genetic selection for lower methane-emitting cows, and the controversy surrounding feed additives. Froment emphasizes the need for carbon measurement at farm level and incentive-based approaches rather than punitive taxation.

The episode concludes with Michael and Sylvain discussing Weight Watchers' bankruptcy filing—attributed to the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs—and Tim Hortons' new partnership with Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, debating whether this celebrity endorsement will effectively attract their target demographic of younger women to the coffee chain..

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from SIAL Show in Toronto: Canada’s Post-Election Food Policy, Trade Barriers & Exports and guest Martin Lavoie, President & CEO of Groupe Export Agroalimentaire Québec

michael@meleblanc.co (Martin Lavoie) — Thu, 1 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

n Season 5 of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois take listeners inside the bustling SIAL Food Innovation Show in Toronto, bringing fresh insights on global food trends and the shifting dynamics of agri-food trade. The episode kicks off with their live reflections on the show floor, surrounded by global exhibitors from Brazil, Peru, Jamaica, and Italy. They note a growing demand for diverse flavors and ethnic cuisines, as well as a strategic pivot by companies to balance foodservice and retail sales post-pandemic.

Sylvain highlights how COVID reshaped supply chains, pushing businesses to avoid overreliance on single sectors and prompting innovations that blur lines between restaurant and retail offerings. They discuss ongoing tariff challenges, food inflation stabilizing, and the complex impact of retaliatory tariffs on Canadian importers and exporters.

Shifting gears, the duo analyze Canada’s post-election political landscape, unpacking what Mark Carney’s new government could mean for agri-food policy, carbon taxation, and Canada’s trade relationships with the U.S. and Mexico. They speculate about potential reforms to supply management and agri-stability programs, while exploring Western Canadian frustrations over political representation and federal agricultural policy.

The second half features an exclusive interview with Martin Lavoie, President & CEO of Groupe Export Agroalimentaire Québec-Canada, Canada’s largest agri-food export association. Martin shares how his organization supports over 450 Quebec food exporters through trade shows, market intelligence, and export services. He explains how diversification strategies are evolving amid global tariff volatility, why intra-Canada trade holds untapped potential, and how government procurement could boost domestic food producers.

Martin also addresses the challenges of breaking into international markets like Europe, where food economies remain hyper-local, while noting rising demand in Asia and Mexico. He underscores the importance of reducing interprovincial trade barriers to unlock growth and reveals the criteria behind Group Export’s annual Export Gala awards.

Wrapping up, Michael and Sylvain reflect on Michael Medline’s upcoming retirement from Sobeys, discussing his leadership legacy and impact on the grocer’s national growth and industry advocacy. They also celebrate T&T’s continued U.S. expansion and the launch of Loblaws’ Maxi stores outside Quebec.

Tune in for expert insights on the evolving agri-food export landscape, retail’s competitive shifts, and the policies shaping Canada’s food industry future.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada's Missing Agri-Food Election Agenda, RoundUp for Roundup and Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Chief Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares

michael@meleblanc.co (Jake Karls) — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:46:05 +0000

In Season 5, Episode 33 of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a dynamic episode split between urgent food policy news and an in-depth interview with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of the powerhouse better-for-you brand Mid-Day Squares.

Kicking off with the news segment, Sylvain and Michael break down Canada's approaching election and the glaring lack of meaningful agricultural policy across party platforms. While the NDP pushes for price freezes and a windfall tax on grocers, the Liberals and Conservatives offer little in the way of innovation or supply chain resilience. The hosts also tackle the impact of Ottawa's retaliatory tariffs, which drive food inflation and force Canadian grocers to de-Americanize sourcing. This effort comes with significant costs to consumers. They also discuss the potential discontinuation of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup and the increasing scrutiny of petroleum-based food dyes like Red #40, calling science and public perception into question.

The second half features an electrifying interview with Jake Karls, who updates listeners on Mid-Day Squares' journey since his last appearance. From humble condo kitchens beginning to producing over 130,000 chocolate bars daily, Jake shares how building an in-house manufacturing facility—rather than relying on co-packers—enabled product consistency, brand authenticity, and rapid scaling. He dives into the challenges of being a media-first company, the evolution of its storytelling strategy, and its pivot into new product categories beyond chocolate.

Jake opens up about battling cocoa price surges, securing supply chains, and staying BRC-certified. He also previews Mid-Day Squares' upcoming expansion to triple output capacity, pushing the brand toward $225 million in potential revenue. The conversation closes on a powerful note about the importance of storytelling in entrepreneurship and building brand trust at scale.

Whether you're a CPG entrepreneur, policy wonk, or retail trend-watcher, this episode offers an unfiltered look at macro-level food system dynamics and the bold entrepreneurial journey reshaping the snack aisle across North America.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada’s Food Inflation Spikes, Investors & Innovators with Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech™ Invest

michael@meleblanc.co (Elysabeth Alfano) — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:58:03 +0000

The episode kicks off with breaking economic news: while Canada’s overall inflation slowed to 2.3% in March, food inflation surged to a staggering 3.2%—a monthly jump not seen since 1983. Sylvain attributes the spike to Ottawa’s counter-tariffs, rising ingredient costs, and shifting sourcing strategies as Canadian grocers de-Americanize their supply chains. This backdrop leads into a discussion on recent Caddle research indicating that 61% of Canadians are willing to pay more for local products—an unprecedented level of national loyalty that presents both opportunity and urgency for domestic producers.

Listeners also get a sneak peek at the upcoming release of the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, sponsored by MNP, which shows growing trust in Canada's food industry. Michael and Sylvain then pivot to the controversial topic of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, raising critical questions about childhood obesity, pharmaceutical influence, and the implications for food industry giants like Nestlé and Mondelez.

The second half of the episode features Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech Invest and host of two sustainability-focused podcasts. Elysabeth unpacks how her ETF invests in publicly traded companies that are accelerating food systems transformation—emphasizing impact, liquidity, and innovation over startup hype. She shares candid takes on the realities of lab-grown meat, the risks of insect protein, and why countries like Singapore and Israel are leading the charge in food security and innovation.

Elysabeth also weighs in on the role of policy, pointing to rising geopolitical instability and trade tensions—especially in the U.S.—as a catalyst for investment in food innovation. From precision fermentation to biosecurity risks, she outlines why now is the time for bold moves in food tech and ESG investing.

With both news and expert insights, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the forces reshaping what we grow, invest in, and consume.

About Elysabeth

Elysabeth Alfano is the CEO of VegTech™ Invest , the Advisor to a publicly traded Food Innovation ETF. Run by sector experts, VegTech™ Invest drives capital to those companies innovating for a resilient, sustainable and less damaging food supply system through its educational tools and financial product. It, thus, positively impacts Climate Change and biodiversity loss.

Elysabeth is an expert in investing in food systems transformation and speaks internationally on the intersection of investing, sustainability, and our global food supply system. She has spoken at the U.N. Global Leaders Compact Summit, the United Nations Climate Change Summit, SXSW, COP27 and COP28, Yale University and Northwestern University, several Bloomberg Intelligence events and has done a myriad of TV interviews including Bloomberg TV and Ameritrade TV.

Elysabeth began her career with Kellogg Company working on Special K and Frosted Mini-Wheats before acting as Chief Investment Officer for a small family office. A graduate of Northwestern University and the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Elysabeth consults and advises C-Suite Executives on the sustainable food industry landscape, direction and whitespaces.

Lastly, Elysabeth hosts the Plantbased Business Hour , a podcast which features the CEOs and business leaders in the industry. The Plantbased Business Hour is considered “The Gold Standard” for those who want to understand, participate in, and capitalize on the growing Plant-based Innovation sector. She is the voice of sustainability in the invment community hosting the Upside & Impact: Investing for Change on Advisorpedia.

Elysabeth contributes to ESG Clarity, WGN Radio, Vegconomist Magazine, CAIA, ETFCentral.com Advisorpedia and FinTechTV on a regular basis.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

North American Trade Lawyer Mark Warner on Tariffs, Trade & Trump: A Global Food Fight Begins

michael@meleblanc.co (Mark A. A. Warner) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this power-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring listeners up to speed on one of the most complex and fast-moving stories in the global food and agriculture sector: the unfolding international tariff war. Appropriately titled “The Global Tariff War Edition,” this episode features a timely and incisive interview with Mark Warner, Managing Director at MAAW Law and one of North America’s leading experts on trade, investment, and competition law.

The conversation kicks off with Michael and Sylvain diving into the latest developments in U.S.–China trade tensions, which have seen tariffs skyrocket to 125% on inbound U.S. goods into China. They explore the ripple effects on key commodities like soybeans and canola, discuss the surprising resilience of commodity markets, and examine why Canada isn't positioned to step in as a major alternative supplier.

The hosts also explore cultural signals from the food world, including the increasing trend of Americans packing lunches and the declining use of doggy bags in restaurants—signs Sylvain suggests may point to growing economic insecurity and workplace anxiety.

In the second half of the show, Michael and Sylvain sit down with Mark Warner, who brings deep legal and historical context to the tariff debate. Warner unpacks how the Trump administration is using the rarely-invoked International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to sidestep traditional trade channels. He outlines the risks and potential rewards for Canadian agri-food exporters navigating this new landscape, and why subtle diplomacy—not headline-grabbing bravado—may serve Canada better in the long run. From trade agreements and geopolitical strategy to supply management and softwood lumber, Warner’s nuanced take is essential listening for anyone working in, or watching, the agri-food space.

And there’s also a moment of celebration: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois shares his recent honour—receiving the prestigious Charles III Coronation Medal from the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. In a heartfelt reflection, he dedicates the medal to his wife, Janelle, recognizing her essential support in his research and public policy work. It’s a well-deserved acknowledgment of Sylvain’s national impact on food policy and scholarship.

With sharp insight, humour, and a dash of royal recognition, this episode offers listeners a blend of timely news and expert analysis that defines The Food Professor Podcast.

Tune into Bite Sized!

Corus Entertainment is excited to add a brand-new topical program to its Talk Radio lineup on April 12

called Bite Sized, which explores the business of food in the country.

640 Toronto Saturdays at 2 p.m. ET

980 CFPL Sundays at 9 a.m. ET

680 CJOB Sundays at 2 p.m. CST

770 QR Calgary Sundays at 3 p.m. MST

880 CHED Sundays at 3 p.m. MST

730 CKNW Sundays at 1 p.m. PST

About Mark

Mark is an Ontario and New York attorney who has practiced trade, investment and competition law in Toronto, New York, Washington, D.C and Brussels and as counsel to the OECD in Paris. He advises natural resource clients through Pilot Law LLP and fintech and financial Services clients through Atlantis International. Mark has also recently been appointed as a Fellow of the US Canada Institute in Washington, D.C.

Mark is a former Legal Director of the Ontario Ministries of Economic Development & Trade, Research & Innovation and Consumer Services. He led Ontario’s legal team for trade negotiations (including the Canada-EU Trade Agreement and the Canada-U.S. Agreement on Government Procurement), trade disputes (including the Green Energy Act and softwood lumber) and various NAFTA Chapter 11 investor-state disputes and for the insolvency / restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler.

Mark was also co-author of the Second Edition of a leading Canadian trade law treatise (with the Hon. William C. Graham and Professors Jean-Gabriel Castel and Armand de Mestral). He has been listed in the Euromoney / International Financial Law Review Guide to the World’s Leading Competition lawyers and in 2015 was elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Mark earned a BA (Joint Honours) from McGill, an MA in Economics from the University of Toronto, a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School and an LLM from Georgetown University Law Centre.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Tariffs, Trade, and Terroir: Trump's Liberation Day global earthquake, guest Michelle Wasylyshen, President & CEO, Ontario Craft Wineries

michael@meleblanc.co (Michelle Wasylyshen) — Thu, 3 Apr 2025 07:28:05 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast brings together global trade drama and local wine opportunity. In the opening news segment, Michael and Sylvain react to the latest trade bombshell from Donald Trump: sweeping new tariffs aimed at dozens of countries, with Canada & Mexico left off—for now. They dig into how this could reshape the Canadian food sector, focusing on dairy and the persistent challenges of supply management. Sylvain calls out the inefficiencies of Canada’s quota system and urges a national strategy, comparing our lack of vision to New Zealand’s Fonterra success. The conversation also covers the real reasons behind “Buy Canadian” sentiment—whether driven by tariffs or values—and highlights the implications of avian flu outbreaks on Canadian poultry supplies.

In the second half, Michael and Sylvain welcome Michelle Wasylyshen, President and CEO of Ontario Craft Wineries. With a public affairs background spanning government, industry, and advocacy, Michelle brings a sharp perspective on the role of VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines in the current climate. She explains how VQA signifies wines that are 100% Ontario-grown, produced, and bottled, and why that matters for consumers and the local economy.

Michelle details how the removal of U.S. wines from LCBO shelves has created a rare and significant opening for Ontario wine producers. Early data already shows a 30% jump in VQA sales, with some members seeing growth as high as 70–80%. Her team is capitalizing with cheeky, targeted campaigns like “Screw the Tariffs, Pop the Cork,” and partnering with groups like Restaurants Canada and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters to amplify the message.

She also addresses a long-standing pain point: interprovincial trade. Michelle shares the absurd reality that it’s currently easier to sell Ontario wine to Sweden or Denmark than to Quebec. She expresses cautious optimism that the current tariff climate might finally create the political will to tear down these barriers.

On the topic of consumption trends, Michelle acknowledges the growing “sober-curious” movement but remains confident that Ontario wines, especially given their quality and local value, remain a compelling choice. She concludes with policy priorities including sustained shelf presence at the LCBO, education on VQA labels, and increasing restaurant availability of local wines.

The episode wraps with lighter banter on the possible revival of Hooters and a shoutout to Quebec-based food brand Mid-Day Squares, capping off a wide-ranging conversation rooted in both disruption and opportunity.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

10 Years of Liberal Ag Policy, Body Cams & guest Chef Tuệ Nguyễn

michael@meleblanc.co (Chef Tuệ Nguyễn) — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:35:21 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we dive into a wide range of topics, from international trade tensions to the evolving role of social media in the culinary world. We kick off the episode with the announcement that Canada will be the country of honour at the SIAL Food Innovation Show, reflecting on the importance of celebrating Canadian food and innovation during shifting global dynamics.

We then turn our attention to the pork industry in Canada, discussing recent geopolitical issues that have led to uncertainty, including tensions with China and auto tariffs from the United States. Sylvain shares insights from his recent talk at the Ontario Pork Convention, where industry stakeholders expressed concerns over market volatility and the potential impact of reduced Chinese pork imports. He discusses how pork producers hope to leverage domestic barbecue season to boost sales, given the rising costs of beef and poultry.

Michael and Sylvain also reflect on the political landscape in Canada as an election approaches, discussing how the changing dynamics between the Liberals and Conservatives could impact the agriculture and food sectors. They touch on recent poll swings and analyze the political strategies shaping the campaigns, particularly how geopolitical leadership and dealing with major global players like Trump and China have become central issues.

The conversation shifts to business strategy as they discuss Unilever's management challenges with the Ben & Jerry brand, examining how corporate culture clashes between activism and profitability affect the company's public image. The hosts debate whether it was ever a good idea for Unilever to acquire such a distinctively activist brand and speculate on how the unfolding lawsuits might play out.

We also discuss the Loblaw body cam pilot project, aimed at enhancing security amid rising organized retail crime. Michael explains the strategic reasons behind implementing body cams, emphasizing the dual purpose of evidence collection and deterrence. Sylvain shares his perspective on the ethical considerations and how other retailers might respond if the initiative proves successful.

Finally, the episode's highlight features a captivating interview with Chef Tuệ Nguyễn, celebrated chef, cultural storyteller, and viral content creator. Tuệ, the visionary behind ĐiĐi in Los Angeles and the cookbook Ði Ăn, shares her journey from Vietnam to LA, building her culinary brand and amassing over 1.3 million followers. She discusses authenticity and creativity at the heart of her success and how social media has played a crucial role in driving her restaurant's popularity.

This episode delivers a balanced blend of current food industry insights, retail crime analysis, and an inspiring chef's story, making it a must-listen for food enthusiasts and industry professionals.

RC Show

https://www.rcshow.com/

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/di-an-the-salty-sour-sweet-and-spicy-flavors-of-vietnamese-cooking-with-twaydabae-a-cookbook/9781668003800.html

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

China Tariffs Dramatic Impact, McDonald's Takes Another Run at a Veggie Burger & WeCook's Fresh Meal Revolution with Michel Gagné, CEO

michael@meleblanc.co (Michel Gagné) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 08:10:28 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois take on some of the hottest topics, shaking up the Canadian food industry. There's plenty to discuss, from McDonald's latest attempt to crack the plant-based market with a new veggie burger to the disruptive impact of China's tariffs on Canadian seafood and agricultural products.

Kicking off the episode, Michael and Sylvain dissect McDonald's surprising re-entry into the plant-based space after previous failures. They debate whether the new veggie burger will finally resonate with consumers or if it's another attempt destined to fizzle out. As one of Canada's biggest beef buyers, McDonald's faces a delicate balance between satisfying traditional customers and appealing to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives.

Next, they turn their attention to China's tariffs on Canadian seafood and other agricultural exports, which pressure producers and create economic uncertainty. The hosts discuss how Canada's food export strategy is being tested and why policymakers seem more focused on protecting the automotive sector than agriculture despite the latter's massive economic footprint.

Amid these challenges, the episode spotlights new leadership in agriculture. Canada has a new federal Minister of Agriculture, Kody Blois from Nova Scotia, and Ontario has appointed Trevor Jones as its new Minister of Agriculture. Sylvain shares insights on how Blois's background as chair of the Agriculture Committee could bring a pragmatic approach to the role. At the same time, Jones's rural roots could positively shape Ontario's agricultural landscape. The hosts debate what priorities these ministers should address first, especially given the ongoing trade disputes and the economic pressure on Canadian farmers.

In the second half of the episode, the hosts welcome Michel Gagné, CEO of WeCook, to the show. Michel shares his journey from managing primary Cargill and Maple Leaf food operations to leading one of Canada's top fresh meal delivery services. He discusses how WeCook differentiates itself by offering fully prepared, high-quality meals rather than meal kits, making busy weeknight dinners simple and convenient.

WeCook's strategy includes local sourcing and a commitment to freshness, with meals made daily and delivered to customers within just a few days. Michel also discusses challenges like price volatility in ingredients—especially chicken—and how the company has become profitable while maintaining its quality standards. He highlights the importance of brand partnerships, like working with chef Gabrielle Drapeau and ambassador P.K. Subban, to build credibility and expand into new markets.

The episode concludes with Michael and Sylvain reflecting on how the food industry can innovate in the face of global trade issues, shifting consumer preferences, and evolving political landscapes. Whether you're interested in food policy, fresh meal innovation, or how Canadian companies adapt to the times, this episode delivers fresh insights with every bite.

https://www.spraguefoods.com/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Loblaw T's Off on Trump Tariffs, China and Europe Hit Back Creating Risks & Opportunities, guest Smoke's Poutinerie President & COO Mark Cunningham

michael@meleblanc.co (Mark Cunningham) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:05:21 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois tackle pressing issues in Canada's food industry before interviewing Mark Cunningham, President and Chief Operating Officer of Smoke's Poutinerie.

The episode begins with the hosts discussing Loblaw's decision to place "T" labels on products affected by tariffs. While Charlebois appreciates the transparency effort, he questions whether the approach is too simplistic, explaining that tariffs impact entire product categories beyond individual items. The hosts explore how Canadian retailers rapidly " de-Americanize" their product offerings in response to US-Canada trade tensions.

They examine how companies like Moosehead leverage the political climate for marketing with initiatives like their "Presidential Pack" of 1,461 beers (one for each day left of Trump's presidency) before analyzing China's retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola and seafood. Charlebois criticizes Canada's geopolitical approach, noting how China strategically targeted farmers rather than the automotive sector following Canada's 100% tariff on Chinese EVs.

In the featured interview, Mark Cunningham shares insights about Smokes Poutinerie, the Canadian poutine restaurant franchise with over 100 locations across Canada, including 45+ traditional franchise locations and numerous non-traditional sites in colleges, airports, and arenas. Cunningham discusses how the company honours its late founder, Ryan Smolkin (who maintains the title of "Chief Entertainment Officer"), by staying true to authentic Quebec ingredients while packaging poutine with distinctive Canadian flair through their red and black plaid branding and 80s pop culture references.

Cunningham details their business model's evolution, including adapting to a delivery-focused environment (now representing 35% of sales), managing food costs amid inflation, and their creative approach to menu innovation. He explains how they position themselves as "brand disruptors" in the quick-service restaurant space, using provocative marketing campaigns that often playfully target larger competitors. Cunningham also highlights their World Poutine Eating Championship, which has grown to become North America's second-largest eating competition.

The hosts reflect on the food industry's resilience five years after COVID, with Charlebois noting how the pandemic forced companies to reconsider supply chain management and communication strategies. Additional topics covered include RFK Jr.'s meeting with food executives about banning artificial dyes, EU retaliatory tariffs against the US, and Charlebois receiving a King Charles Coronation medal honouring his contributions to the food industry in Canada and globally.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Trump Tariff Attack Reality, Grading Canada's Response and Special Guest Industry Icon John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe

michael@meleblanc.co (John Pigott) — Thu, 6 Mar 2025 09:11:43 +0000

The latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast delivers a timely and insightful discussion on the state of Canadian agriculture, the impact of Trump's tariffs, which Canadian politicians had the best response to, and what it means for the food industry. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down new trade restrictions' economic and political ripple effects, discussing the challenges of retaliatory tariffs, fluctuating commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions.

Our guest, John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe and a leader in the food industry for over three decades brings his deep expertise to the conversation. John reflects on his journey in the Canadian food sector, sharing valuable lessons on innovation, leadership, and navigating market shifts. From growing his family's bakery business into a major supplier of frozen foods and private-label products to his recent recognition as a Golden Pencil Award winner, John discusses the evolution of the industry and the importance of strategic thinking in times of crisis.

One key theme of the discussion is the role of private-label brands in shaping the future of grocery retail. John highlights how Canadian food manufacturers have thrived by partnering with retailers to develop high-quality private-label products, offering a competitive advantage against national brands. He emphasizes that while tariffs pose a significant challenge, they also present an opportunity for Canadian businesses to rethink their strategies and expand into new global markets beyond the U.S.

The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical landscape, including China's response to U.S. tariffs, the increasing presence of Mexican food products in Canada, and the potential for Canada to strengthen its agricultural exports to emerging markets. John argues that Canada's food sector has unique advantages—vast farmland, fresh water, and strong production capabilities—that position it as a global leader in food security.

In the episode, John shares his philosophy on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of "returning" knowledge to the next generation. Now, in the "third act" of his career, he is focused on mentoring young entrepreneurs and helping them navigate the challenges of growing a business in today's uncertain economic climate.

From trade tensions to leadership wisdom, this episode is packed with critical insights for food industry professionals, retailers, and consumers. Tune in to hear how Canada can adapt, innovate, and turn adversity into opportunity.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Nova Scotia Breakthrough, Plant-Based Egg's Moment, Buy Canadian Movement, Quebec's Nerve

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:07:59 +0000

Prepare for a jam-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast as hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois break down the latest food and retail industry trends shaping today's market.

🔹 Trump's Tariff Talk – How will potential U.S. tariffs impact Canadian food exports and the broader economy? The hosts discuss the uncertainty surrounding trade policies and the growing concerns of the business community.

🔹 Avian Flu & the Future of Eggs – With egg shortages driving up prices, could this be a golden opportunity for plant-based egg alternatives like Just Egg? Michael and Sylvain debate the shifting landscape of protein consumption.

🔹 The "Buy Canadian" Movement – More Canadians seek homegrown products, but will they pay the 10% premium? Loblaw's latest data reveals consumer behaviour trends, and the hosts explore whether this shift is here to stay.

🔹 Quebec's Resistance to Trade Reform – Quebec stands firm as Nova Scotia and Ontario move to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. What's behind the province's prevalence's reluctance, and how does it impact Canada's food industry?

🔹 Coca-Cola's Aluminum Crisis – The beverage giant warns of rising aluminum costs—what does this mean for packaged food and drink prices, and why are microbreweries particularly vulnerable?

🔹 Starbucks Layoffs & Streamlining Strategy – While Starbucks' flagship Roastery locations thrive, corporate layoffs signal a shift. Is this part of a more significant trend in food service?

🔹 Greenhouse Tech & Food Innovation – Oracle founder Larry Ellison's ambitious greenhouse project faces significant setbacks. The hosts analyze why food tech innovation is more complicated than it looks.

From government policies to corporate shake-ups, this episode delivers an insightful analysis of the food business. Don't miss this fast-paced discussion on the trends shaping what we eat, how we buy, and where the industry is headed.

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!

🔗 Subscribe & Follow:

@LeVoiceofRetail | @FoodProfessor | #TheFoodProfessorPodcast #RetailTrends #FoodIndustry #PlantBased #CanadianRetail #Starbucks #EggShortage #FoodSecurity #TradeBarriers #CocaCola #GroceryTrends

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Elon's DOGE Eggs Along Bird Flu, KFC Crosses the Road to Texas, the World Needs Ukranian Ag, & Food Politics & Consumer Trust: A Deep Dive with CHFA's CEO & President Aaron Skelton

michael@meleblanc.co (Aaron Skelton) — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000

The latest The Food Professor Podcast episode dives deep into the regulatory landscape shaping Canada's natural health product sector. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Aaron Skelton, President and CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), to discuss pressing industry challenges and opportunities.

With 82% of Canadians using natural health products, the CHFA is pivotal in advocating for businesses navigating Health Canada regulations, labelling laws, and cost recovery fees. Skelton shares insights into the Save Our Supplements (SOS) campaign, an initiative pushing back against policies that could increase costs and reduce product availability. He emphasizes the need for regulatory balance that fosters innovation while maintaining consumer safety.

The conversation also covers the impact of rising tariffs on Canadian manufacturers, making it harder for local brands to compete with international markets. Skelton highlights the urgent need for policies that support domestic food production and streamline interprovincial trade.

Shifting gears, the hosts explore consumer trust and transparency in health products. With increased scrutiny over false claims and misleading marketing, third-party certifications like B Corp and Canadian Organic Certification have become crucial in building credibility. Skelton stresses that transparency—not perfection—is key to maintaining consumer confidence.

In the news, we touch on Elon's DOGE cuts to the USDA and their potential impact in Canada, Loblaws' multi-billion-dollar investment, the pause in Saskatchewan's canola processing plant, and KFC's surprising corporate relocation from Kentucky to Texas, as well as the state and future of agriculture in the Ukraine and the practical economics of adding hens in your back yard to make your eggs.

This episode is packed with insider knowledge on food safety, economic policy, and industry regulation, making it a must-listen for food professionals, policymakers, and consumers interested in the future of Canada's health and wellness sector.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Premiers Milk Run in Washington, Buy Canadian Movement, and guest Karen Proud, President and Adjudicator, Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct

michael@meleblanc.co (Karen Proud) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we welcome Karen Proud, the inaugural President and Adjudicator of the newly established Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC). With an extensive background in industry leadership, policy, and regulatory affairs—including past roles as President & CEO of Fertilizer Canada and COO at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada—Karen brings deep expertise to this critical new role aimed at fostering fair business practices in the grocery industry.

Karen shares insights into her priorities for the first 100 days, including setting up the office, educating industry stakeholders, and ensuring smooth implementation when the code officially takes effect in June. She also addresses industry skepticism about the voluntary nature of the code and how transparency, public reporting, and industry buy-in will drive accountability.

Beyond the grocery code, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dive into pressing issues shaping the food retail landscape. They explore the evolving "buy Canadian" movement, questioning whether consumer support for domestic products is a trend or a fleeting response to geopolitical tensions. They also discuss the impact of tariffs, supply management in the dairy sector, and whether Canadians truly understand how grocery pricing and food policies work.

The conversation extends to shrinkflation, the federal government's response to rising food costs, and how consumer perceptions influence buying behaviour. Are grocery chains and private-label brands benefiting from shifting consumer preferences? Is there a genuine commitment from major players to offer more Canadian-made products?

In addition, raw milk and seed oils take center stage, with Sylvain weighing in on the debate over health benefits, government regulation, and consumer demand for alternative food choices. Meanwhile, the discussion around the GST holiday on food purchases highlights ongoing efforts to alleviate consumer financial pressure while maintaining a competitive retail environment.

New York Times article on Raw Milk

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/magazine/raw-milk-danger-benefits.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wk4.xI2Q.wjjcYaYrbFpb&smid=url-share

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Trump Tariff Turmoil, RFK JR Ag Agenda, Roll Up The Rim Returns & Post-Tariff Future of the Canadian Food Trade

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 6 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down the most pressing food and trade stories this week on The Food Professor Podcast, which is making waves across Canada and beyond.

🔴 Trump's Tariff Shockwave: The duo unpacks the impact of Donald Trump's latest tariff threats on Canadian farmers, the surprising response from Mexico, and whether food will ultimately be exempt from future trade restrictions. Is Canada too dependent on the U.S., and what role should Mexico and India play in diversifying agricultural exports?

☕ Tim Hortons Brings Back Roll Up the Rim: A Canadian classic returns! The hosts reminisce about the campaign's history and resilience despite environmental concerns and digital shifts.

🌍 Canadian Consumer Reaction: With interprovincial trade barriers under scrutiny and rising nationalistic sentiment, Michael and Sylvain explore what it means to "buy Canadian." How can consumers make informed choices, from wine boycotts to retail supply chains?

🌱 Raw Milk & Seed Oil Debates: RFK Jr's controversial push for raw milk legalization and the battle over seed oils—are they a health hazard or nutritional necessity? Sylvain shares his insights on whether Canada's supply management system blocks consumer choice.

Prof. Ian Lee's op ed:

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ian-lee-this-is-trumps-plan-for-global-economic-domination

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Eggflation Shocks Americans, Canada Drags on Ag Competitiveness and live from Texas Chuck Charnichart, aka BBQ rat, owner and pitmaster of Barb's B. Q.

michael@meleblanc.co (Chuck Charnichart) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois explore diverse food industry topics. The show kicks off with a conversation about Texas barbecue, featuring Chuck Charnichart, also known as BBQ Rat, the young, award-winning pitmaster of Barb’s BQ. Her journey from working at Texas' top barbecue spots to launching her own critically acclaimed restaurant is highlighted.

The discussion then shifts to economic and trade challenges, particularly rising beef prices. Charlebois explains how droughts, shrinking herds, and producer exits have driven beef prices to record highs, with Canada’s cattle population at its lowest since 1987. Egg prices are also soaring in the U.S. due to avian flu, with millions of birds culled. However, Canada’s supply management system has helped stabilize prices domestically.

The hosts also touch on Amazon’s decision to close its Quebec warehouses, raising concerns about the company's impact on the grocery and retail sectors. Trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. are another key topic, with tariffs, multilateralism, and political uncertainty under scrutiny.

The episode wraps up with lighter topics, including Dubai chocolate, a rising trend in the global confectionery market. LeBlanc praises Canadian retailer Showcase for identifying and capitalizing on this trend early. The hosts reflect on Canada’s position in global agrifood rankings, highlighting issues in food processing, capital shortages, and supply chain inefficiencies.

MNP Study

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/most-influential-nations.html

Barb's B.Q.

https://www.barbsbq.com/

Franklin's BBQ

https://franklinbbq.com/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Trump Immigration & Ag, the Hidden Secret Behind those CPI Numbers, celebrating the launch of Call Her Daddy's Unwell & guest Nicolas Mulroney, Co-Founder & CEO of Bond Bakery Brands

michael@meleblanc.co (Nicolas Mulroney) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 08:37:19 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor podcast features Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois in conversation with Nicholas Mulroney, co-founder and CEO of Bond Bakery Brands. The discussion begins with Mulroney's transition from a finance background to the food industry, inspired by his acquisition of Portofino Bakery in 2019. His company invests in family-run bakeries to preserve their legacy and foster innovation.

Presented by Caddle.

Mulroney shares insights into Bond Bakery Brands' mission of integrating family values into business operations while embracing sustainability and innovation. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing bakeries during the pandemic and the company's efforts to scale operations. Mulroney explains their emphasis on customer-focused innovation, particularly their ability to adapt quickly to market demands and trends, such as their success with cake pops at Coco Bakery.

A notable segment highlights Alex Cooper, host of the popular Call Her Daddy podcast, and her launch of the recovery beverage Unwell. This move represents the growing trend of media personalities extending their brands into consumer products

The hosts explore the rise of podcasters and influencers in the food and beverage space, drawing comparisons to other successful ventures like Prime Hydration by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, which has reached a $1.2 billion valuation. They reflect on the potential for Unwell to disrupt the beverage market, leveraging Cooper's massive audience and savvy branding. The product, aimed at recovery for fast-paced lifestyles, taps into health-conscious and millennial consumer trends, making it an intriguing addition to major retailers like Target in the U.S.

Additional topics include the demise of Hershey Canada's iconic Cherry Blossoms candy, salmonella outbreaks, and emerging consumer trends. The hosts wrap up with reflections on the role of podcasts and influencers in marketing, congratulating Walmart Canada's new CEO, Vanessa Yates, and celebrating industry innovation. This engaging episode combines practical business insights with commentary on pressing food industry issues.

About Nicolas

Nicolas Mulroney co-founded Bond Bakery Brands in 2020, bringing together his passion for food, his interest in growing companies, and his vision to build a better bakery company.

The journey into the bakery industry happened by chance, with the investment in Portofino Bakery. Envisioning the company as Canada’s next premier commercial artisan bakery, Nicolas, his co-founders, and a group of supportive investors acquired the company in 2019. Since then, Nicolas and his team have made five strategic investments across Canada, exclusively targeting family- and founder-run bakery companies.

When the pandemic disrupted the world in March 2020, Nicolas saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Responding to the immediate need for food in local shelters, pallets of bakery products were delivered overnight to communities in need. This became the genesis for Bond Bakery Brands and the vision for an impact-driven bakery company.

Prior to his role as Chairman & CEO of Bond Bakery Brands, Nicolas ran a private investment company, Northern Waters Capital Ltd. From 2017-2019, Nicolas was a Vice President, Corporate Development, and Strategic Initiatives for a publicly traded cemetery and funeral home company. It was in this role that Nicolas came to understand the power of an acquisition platform in traditional industries. Nicolas’ journey also included roles within a Canadian investment bank, where serendipitously, he met his co-founders, Cameron and Matthew.

Residing in Toronto, ON, with his wife Katy and four children, Nicolas finds joy outside of work in a familiar place. When not immersed in bakery-related matters at work, he's crafting pizzas in his backyard or perfecting his chocolate chip cookie recipe. Beyond the food industry, Nicolas indulges in his passion for running and golf, rounding out a blend of professional and personal pursuits.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Weight & Measure of Things, Bye Red Dye 3 and the Dukes of New York

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 08:19:19 +0000

On this episode we look at the hottest topics in the food business including class action claims over inaccurate grocery scales and the FTC's case against John Deere's repair policies. Both highlight the implications for consumer trust and farmer autonomy.

The conversation turns to obesity measurement as the hosts critique the outdated Body Mass Index (BMI) and explore innovative methodologies factoring in lifestyle and cultural elements. We emphasize the role of such measures in shaping public health policy.

In retail and consumer insights, we discuss my visit to Amazon Fresh in New Jersey and Duke's mayonnaise. The episode also covers Chuck E. Cheese's rebranding with trampoline-based entertainment and Starbucks' policy changes targeting its "third place" strategy, which prioritizes safety and paying customers.

Industry updates feature Jack Daniels' workforce cuts due to declining alcohol consumption among younger generations and the Canadian government's approval of the $8.2 billion Bunge-Viterra merger. Sylvain raises concerns about its impact on farmer competition and critiques the government's inconsistent stance on promoting market diversity.

Additional highlights include the FDA's ban on Red Dye 3 due to cancer risks and Canada's potential regulatory alignment.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

2025 Fearless Predictions, Government Shakeup Shakeout, Trump Threats & Canada's Next Moves

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 9 Jan 2025 08:09:05 +0000

The latest episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosted by Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois, offers a forward-looking discussion on 2025's potential impacts on the food industry. From groundbreaking AI applications to evolving political landscapes, this episode is packed with insights.

Key topics include AI's transformative potential, particularly in optimizing supply chains and reducing food waste. Sylvain highlights how AI-driven solutions can cut waste by over 50% in seniors' homes, underscoring its role in boosting efficiency. However, the duo also addresses AI's darker side, such as job displacement and growing social inequalities, emphasizing the need for policy adaptations like universal basic income.

The hosts analyze anticipated shifts in mergers and acquisitions, predicting a revival of major deals like Kroger-Albertsons and a potential acquisition of 7-Eleven. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies are also scrutinized, with calls for rebranding to balance inclusivity and profitability.

Political and trade discussions touch on potential challenges and opportunities for Canadian agriculture, especially in light of strained U.S. relations and evolving dynamics with China and India. The episode also forecasts significant changes driven by ozempic drugs in reshaping consumer behavior and food industry strategies.

Rounding out the predictions, the hosts examine legacy media's decline as platforms like TikTok rise, emphasizing the need for strategic storytelling in the food sector. Other hot topics include coffee price hikes, avian flu's economic toll, and the evolving role of automation in farming.

Packed with expertise and humour, this episode sets the stage for an exciting yet challenging food innovation and policy year. Don't miss these insightful predictions on The Food Professor!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Top 10 Stories That Define Our Food Systems: A Reflection on Canada’s Top Agri-Food Stories of 2024

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:51:03 +0000

In the final episode of The Food Professor Podcast for 2024, presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois reflect on a whirlwind year in the agri-food industry. With a mix of sharp insights and humour, we tackle the top ten food stories of the year and set the stage for what's to come in 2025.

The episode starts with the week's news, starting with a deep dive into the GST Holiday, a policy providing immediate savings for Canadians, and its potential ripple effects on the restaurant sector. From personal anecdotes to broader industry implications, we explore whether such measures can boost consumer spending.

Next, we dissect Canada's Fall Economic Statement (FES) and the new finance minister's debut, questioning the impact of fiscal policy changes, including interest rate cuts, on the agri-food, grocery, and restaurant sectors. We also unpack key proposals like the reinstated Accelerated Investment Incentive (AII) and its significance for agri-business innovation.

Shifting gears, Michael and Sylvain examine controversial news stories, including CFIA algorithmic oversight and carbon tax impacts on food prices. On a brighter note, we celebrate Quebec's $100 million initiative to support young agricultural entrepreneurs, signalling hope for the future of farming.

As they bid farewell to 2024, the hosts tease their highly anticipated predictions episode, returning on January 9th. With plenty of gratitude for Caddle and our listeners, they close the season by reflecting on the stories that defined Canada's food systems this year.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

GST Holiday Havoc, Dynamite T&T U.S. Launch and our guest Paul Jewer, President & CEO, High Liner Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Paul Jewer) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discuss various pressing topics in the food and retail sectors. We begin with reflections on the release of Canada’s Food Price Report, which sparked substantial media coverage despite being overshadowed by broader economic and political issues, including the proposed GST holiday. Sylvain shares his unique experience of testifying remotely before the Canadian Senate from Berlin, highlighting the logistical hurdles and his stance on taxing food at retail.

We delve into key developments in the U.S., including the Albertsons-Kroger merger, blocked by the FTC, and discuss its implications for market competition. We also examine the success of T & T’s U.S. expansion, emphasizing how Canadian businesses can thrive internationally while maintaining their distinct identity.

Another focus is the potential impact of eliminating interprovincial trade barriers in Canada, which could boost GDP and enhance logistical efficiencies in the food sector. Sylvain highlights the challenges posed by Canada’s fragmented regulatory environment and the need for cohesive national policies like the Grocery Code of Conduct.

The episode concludes with teasers for upcoming episodes, including top food stories and predictions for 2025, reinforcing the podcast’s role as a key platform for insights into the food industry.

Special Guest: Paul Jewer, President & CEO of High Liner Foods

This episode features Paul Jewer, President and CEO of High Liner Foods, as the special guest. High Liner a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood, is celebrating its remarkable 125th anniversary. Paul shares insights into the company’s journey, from its retail products across Canada and the U.S. to its extensive B2B operations serving restaurants and institutions.

The interview highlights High Liner as a quintessential Canadian success story, underlining its resilience and innovation in the competitive food industry. Paul’s narrative celebrates the company’s legacy and emphasizes its role in advancing the seafood sector through sustainability and value-added offerings.

T&T Image:

The line to enter T&T Supermarket was nearly an hour long in the middle of the afternoon on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Jeff Wells/Grocery Dive

About Paul

PAUL JEWER, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D

Paul was appointed as President & Chief Executive Officer in December 2023. Previous to that he served as the Companies Chief Financial Officer, since February 2014. Prior to joining High Liner Foods in 2014, Paul was CFO with Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery and food distributor. He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and began his career with Ernst & Young LLP providing audit, tax, valuation and business advisory services for a variety of clients in various business sectors. Prior to joining Sobeys Inc. in 2003, he held a number of progressively senior finance positions in the technology sector.

Paul graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Acadia University. In 1997 he received his Chartered Accountant designation. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

He is currently Treasurer of the Groundfish Forum, a member of the executive of the National Fisheries Institute, a board member of Norcod, and a board advisor to Andfjord Salmon. Paul is also Chair of Sport Nova Scotia and a member of the Advisory Board of FM Global Canada. Paul is an Honorary Governor of the Board of Governors of Acadia University, having completed a seven- year term as Chair of the Board. Paul is also past Chair of the Board of Governors of the Halifax Grammar School.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada's Food Price Report 2025, Farting Cows & guest Gordon Neal of RFINE Biomass Solutions

michael@meleblanc.co (Gordon Neal) — Thu, 5 Dec 2024 08:05:00 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor #podcast highlights the release of Canada's Food Price Report, forecasting a 3-5% increase in food costs for 2025, translating to an additional $801 yearly expense for a family of four. Key drivers include escalating meat prices due to small herd sizes, pork inflation, and avian flu impacting poultry. The eastern provinces face heightened food inflation due to logistics and cyclical patterns.

The report incorporates machine learning, econometrics, and collaboration across universities, emphasizing transparency through self-assessment. It also sheds light on food insecurity in northern communities, aiming to influence policy and consumer awareness.

The episode also features Gordon Neal, co-founder and general manager of RFINE Biomass Solutions, based in Halifax recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada’s conference live; turning Spent Coffee Grounds into Eco-Conscious Profits, RFINE is revolutionizing the quick service coffee industry by developing technology to sustainably upcycle spent coffee grounds into food-grade ingredients, thereby diverting coffee ground waste from going to landfills and saving retailers money on disposal costs.

Gordon's company transforms spent coffee grounds—80 tractor-trailers daily in Canada—into food-grade ingredients, tackling food waste and methane emissions. Neal describes developing innovative, patented appliances for coffee shops that dehydrate grounds onsite for upcycling into products like cocoa substitutes, animal feed, and ingredients for black soldier fly larvae farming.

The discussion transitions to alternative proteins and sustainability, emphasizing public hesitance to change diets for climate reasons but highlighting economic incentives as effective drivers of behaviour change. The episode underscores how rising costs push consumers toward plant-based options.

We conclude with reflections on consumer engagement, policy challenges like GST on food, and the potential environmental impact of methane-reducing feed additives for cattle, urging transparency and quality assessments.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada's "Vibecession" & the GST Holiday Season, Trump's 25% Solution & guest Ed Hoehn, COO, Atomo Beanless Coffee

michael@meleblanc.co (Ed Hoehn) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:06:25 +0000

In this engaging episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Sylvain Charlebois and Michael LeBlanc navigate a packed agenda, blending international trade, environmental policy, and groundbreaking innovation in the coffee industry.

The episode kicks off with a live interview with Ed Hoehn, COO of Atomo Coffee, recorded at the Coffee Association of Canada's conference. Ed discusses Atomo's pioneering beanless coffee, positioning it as the most sustainable alternative in the market. The hosts try the coffee live, praising its potential to disrupt the traditional coffee industry.

Key topics of discussion include:

The looming 25% tariff threat from President-Elect Trump on Canadian goods.
Its implications for agriculture.
The potential economic fallout.

Charlebois remains skeptical about the likelihood of the tariff being enacted but underscores the need for proactive planning by the Canadian government and businesses. The discussion pivots to trade dynamics with Mexico and the influence of the U.S. Agriculture Department under its newly appointed head, Brooke Rollins, a Texas A&M Agrilife graduate.

The hosts also critique Canada's temporary GST holiday on groceries, analyzing its limited benefits and unintended consequences for retailers and consumers.

Charlebois voices concerns over the carbon tax's impact on Canada's agri-food competitiveness, referencing his new peer-reviewed study supporting the position.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198224002628

https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/texas-barbecue-joints-michelin-star/?utm_source=texasmonthly&utm_medium=email&user_email_address=c8927c8d3c616278b12723f170489295546cdaf87dc020c255245126109518bc&utm_campaign=BBQ%20NL%2011-23-24&utm_term=BBQ%20Newsletter

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Monopolies, Mexico, McDonalds & guest Kyle Engelman, Executive Director, Grounds For Health

michael@meleblanc.co (Kyle Engelman) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:32:37 +0000

In this lively episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois tackle a rich menu of topics spanning BBQ, agriculture, global health, and trade. We kick things off with a nod to Texas BBQ culture, celebrating the Michelin Guide's arrival in the state. We highlight an inspiring conversation with special guest Kyle Kyle Engelman, Executive Director from Grounds for Health, live at the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference. Kyle sheds light on their life-saving initiatives in coffee-growing communities, addressing cervical cancer—a nearly 100% treatable disease that still poses a grave threat in low-income countries.

The hosts then shift gears to explore U.S. political changes under the incoming Trump administration and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau's G20 priorities on climate change and food security. Sylvain reflects on his recent appearance on TVO's The Agenda, discussing monopoly land power in the food industry and Manitoba's decision to pass legislation against it, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford's collective push on behalf of all the Canadian Premiers for eliminating CUSMA and replacing it with bi-lateral agreements to safeguard trade with the U.S.

After a break to hear from sponsor Caddle, the conversation continues with the bizarre Canadian carrot recall linked to E. coli, rising inflation and declining olive oil prices, and McDonald's $100M comeback campaign following their "onion crisis." The episode wraps up with a nod to the Toronto Argonauts' Grey Cup victory and a lively recap of viral moments featuring fast food and high-profile personalities.

With an impactful interview and engaging insights, this episode delivers a blend of inspiration and thought-provoking discussion for food industry enthusiasts.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Trump v2.0 & Ag, COP-Out, Carbon Tax Papers and guest Mitchell Scott, CEO of Cult Food Science

michael@meleblanc.co (Mitchell Scott) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:13:22 +0000

This week on The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, we dive into a compelling episode featuring Mitchell Scott, CEO of Cult Food Science. Mitchell's company is at the forefront of cellular agriculture, a revolutionary field paving the way for cultivated meat. Cult Food Science is making strides in commercializing lab-grown—though they prefer "cultivated"—meat, positioning itself as a leader in this transformative industry. This episode marks our second live recording this year, conducted in person at the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference in Markham, Ontario.

We start with current events, discussing the rapid advancements in Trump's political initiatives and their potential impact on the market landscape. We then focus on COP 29 and the paradox of a climate conference in an oil-rich location. Sylvain also shares insights from his latest research on climate policy and economic impact, contributing to the ongoing conversation around sustainability.

Following the news, we thank our presenting sponsor, Caddle, before diving into our interview with Mitchell. Finally, Michael reflects on his recent retail tour in New York City, including stops at the newly revamped Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods locations. Join us for this in-depth episode as we explore the intersections of food, sustainability, and retail innovation.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198224002574

About Mitchell

Mitchell Scott has been involved in the plant-based and cultivated food spaces for the past 8 years. He co-founded plant-based butchery The Very Good Butchers and oversaw its journey from a farmer's market stall to the top performing IPO (globally) of 2020, where at its peak, it achieved a market cap of almost $1 billion.

Mitchell was able to successfully raise over $60 million CAD for the company which helped fuel their growth and expansion efforts including impressive triple digit YOY revenue growth for three consecutive years (1M, 3M, 10M). He has a wealth of experience in building and scaling consumer facing brands and brings a growth mindset to everything he does.

Mitchell is currently the CEO of Cult Food Science (CSE:CULT) which is building and investing in some of the first companies in the exciting new field of cellular agriculture.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Return of Trump & What It Means for the Canadian Agri-Food Sector and guest Michael Chadwick, Fidelio

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Chadwick) — Thu, 7 Nov 2024 12:48:43 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discuss the implications of Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency on the agri-food sector. We explore how his administration may impact trade, environmental policies, and Canadian food security. Trump's presidency, with a Republican-controlled Congress, signals potential changes in tariffs, which could affect Canada's agricultural industry. Sylvain highlights the likelihood of a U.S. push for a more merger-friendly economy, possibly accelerating industry consolidation, including the grocery sector.

Our guest recorded live in Montreal at the SIAL Food Innovation show is Michael Chadwick with Quebec's Fidelio ERP system, talking about digital transformation and productivity for Canada's food manufacturers.

The conversation also delves into Canada's unique challenges, including Trudeau's environmental policies, particularly carbon taxes, which Sylvain argues have driven Canadian wholesale food prices higher than in the U.S. Trump's potential to reduce regulatory costs and energy prices in the U.S. may create competitive challenges for Canadian agriculture, especially with differing environmental stances.

Lastly, we touch on the international stage, noting Trump's relationships with global leaders like Vladimir Putin and his possible influence on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which could have significant implications for global food security. They conclude by speculating how Canada's upcoming federal policies must adapt to this shifting U.S. landscape.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Grocery Competition & Real Estate, Canadian Food Bank Crisis and guest Per Bank, President & CEO, Loblaw Companies Limited

michael@meleblanc.co (Per Bank) — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:24:10 +0000

On this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois bring on an influential guest: Per Bank, President and CEO of Loblaw Companies Limited.

Bank, who joined Loblaw in late 2023 after a diverse career in Europe, shares his perspectives on Canadian retail, competition, and his vision for the company's future.

In the news, we discuss Per's recent op-ed in The Globe and Mail, where he challenges current competition practices and addresses "false narratives" about retail consolidation, suggesting that Loblaw is open to removing specific property controls—if other industry leaders do the same.

We explore other key food industry stories, including McDonald's recent health crisis linked to onion contamination, resulting in a steep traffic decline, especially in Colorado, and the CFIA's findings on safety in plant-based milk facilities.

Additional segments cover legislation updates with Bill C-282, the HungerCount2024 report, Second Harvest's analysis on food waste, and the ongoing issue of shrinkage and theft in the food industry, featuring a quirky story of Jamie Oliver's "grate cheese robbery" campaign.

About Per

Per Bank

President and Chief Executive Officer

Loblaw Companies Limited

Per Bank is President and Chief Executive Officer of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s food and pharmacy leader, and the country’s largest retailer and private-sector employer. In this role, which he assumed in November 2023, Mr. Bank is responsible for executing Loblaw’s corporate strategy and overseeing all aspects of the business’ day-to-day operations.

Under Mr. Bank’s leadership, Loblaw operates a network of 2,500 stores, pharmacies and e-commerce options, featuring many of Canada’s favorite and most-trusted brands, including President’s Choice, no name, Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, T&T, Joe Fresh, PC Express and PC Financial. The company’s loyalty program, PC Optimum, is world-renowned with more than 16 million members. Its supply chain and technology networks are among the country’s most robust.

With a background in engineering and industrial businesses, Mr. Bank’s expertise is exhaustive and undeniable. For over 20 years, he’s acted as Chief Executive Officer for a wide range of consumer and retail companies across various global markets. Prior to joining Loblaw, he was CEO of Salling Group A/S with operations in Denmark, Germany, Poland; CEO of Tesco Hungary; and CEO of Coop Norden’s operations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark. He has also held senior leadership positions with Mars and Danfoss.

Mr. Bank leads with purpose, values authenticity, and emphasizes open and honest two-way communication with both employee and customers. He is a decisive executive that brings unique voices and perspectives to every discussion.

Mr. Bank is a native of Denmark, and is married with two university-aged children.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Where's the Beef & Real Consumer Perspectives on Sustainability with Colleen Martin from Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Colleen Martin) — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 07:41:09 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we welcome back to the show Colleen Martin from Caddle, who presented exclusive research on sustainability based on a survey of over 8,900 Canadians. Colleen revealed that 55% of consumers consider sustainability important when choosing products, but price sensitivity remains a key barrier. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to prioritize eco-friendly choices, but affordability is challenging, especially for younger consumers. Colleen also discussed skepticism surrounding corporate greenwashing, with many respondents expressing distrust in sustainability claims made by large companies.

We start the pod by discussing recent reactions to Sylvain's controversial milk dumping study, highlighting the lack of transparency within the dairy industry and the differing practices between Quebec and Ontario.

Shifting to beef, Sylvain noted that rising cattle prices result from droughts and a shrinking herd in Canada and the U.S., with current herd sizes comparable to the 1980s. He predicted beef prices will continue to rise through 2025, with a possibility of beef pricing itself out of the market if trends continue. The episode also touched on the E. coli outbreak affecting McDonald's U.S. supply chain, which was managed efficiently but raised concerns about food safety.

The episode concluded with reflections on provincial elections and interprovincial trade barriers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Breakthrough Milk Dumping Study, India Trade Trouble, and our guest Zeeshan Fazal, EDC

michael@meleblanc.co (Zeeshan Fazal) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 09:52:39 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, we welcome a special guest, Zeeshan Fazal, Regional Director and Agrifood expert from Export Development Canada (EDC). Recorded live at the SIAL food innovation show in Montreal, Zeeshan explains how EDC supports Canadian companies in expanding their reach beyond borders, including into the United States, by providing financial tools, trade expertise, and valuable market connections.

Michael, joining from Chicago, shares his experiences in the Windy City's vibrant food scene, recounting a visit to El Che restaurant and commenting on Chicago's competitive food service industry. He also reminds listeners about the upcoming Coffee Association of Canada conference on November 14th in Markham, where tickets quickly sell out.

The episode focuses on critical industry topics, including the staggering waste in Canada's dairy sector, with over 6 billion litres of milk dumped since 2012, as highlighted in a recent ScienceDirect study. The hosts also touch on Canada-India trade relations' complexities and challenges. The launch of Maple Leaf's new pork division, Canada Packers, is also discussed, followed by commentary on the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which signals growing concerns about the competitiveness of Canada's agrifood sector.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800924003100?dgcid=coauthor

https://coffeeassoc.com/annual-conference/

About Zeeshan

Zeeshan Fazal is a Regional Manager at EDC, responsible for a team of Relationship Managers supporting Canadian companies to penetrate, grow and succeed internationally. He is also responsible to strategically increase EDC's support to Québec companies in Agriculture and Agrifood sectors.

Mr. Fazal has significant experience in assisting Manufacturing, Technology and Innovation companies to go, grow and succeed internationally. Prior to his appointment to the Business Development team, Mr. Fazal held various underwriting positions for Accounts Receivable Insurance, Bank Guarantees and Loan Guarantees. He was also a Lean Sustainability Advisor where he collaborated closely with internal stakeholders to help lead projects, improve operational efficiencies and client communication processes.

514-876-7115

zfazal@edc.ca

edc.ca

Outside of EDC, Mr. Fazal was a lecturer at McGill University where he taught International Finance, Corporate Finance and Financial Statement Analysis. Most recently, he also taught a course on Business Valuation at the Smith School of Business at Queens University. Furthermore, he taught CITP professional designation courses on Global Value Chain and International Trade Finance.

About EDC

Export Development Canada is Canada's export credit agency. We are dedicated to helping Canadian companies, of all sizes, go, grow and succeed beyond our borders. As international risk experts, we provide them with knowledge, financing, insurance and connections. We also provide financial solutions to global companies to facilitate and grow purchases from Canadian companies. We take on risk, so they can take on the world. Learn more at www.edc.ca.

Mr. Fazal holds a Master of Business Administration from the Smith School of Management (Queens University), a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting and Biology from McGill University. He is also a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP | FIBP).

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Food Sentiment Index Debut, Thanksgiving Table metrics, St. Hubert gets focussed, and guest Heidi Dutton, CEO of Lovingly Made

michael@meleblanc.co (Heidi Dutton) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:34:48 +0000

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Heidi Dutton, CEO of Lovingly Made. Heidi shares how her organization is revolutionizing plant protein for people, pets, and aquaculture, ensuring the highest standards in sustainable sourcing. We dive deep into the world of agricultural entrepreneurship, with Sylvain providing his expert insights, particularly as someone who admires the ag innovators of Saskatchewan.

Sylvain also brings us updates from his recent travels to Calgary, where he explored the latest Carbon Border Assessment Mechanisms developments.

The highlight of today's episode is the release of the brand-new Canadian Food Sentiment Index Bi-Annual Insight Report. Sylvain walks us through the report's inspiration, key objectives, and some of the most surprising findings. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we look at the good (and not-so-good) news for the typical holiday table, from rising costs to sustainable food trends.

We also explore how allergy-friendly restaurants find a competitive edge in a challenging food service market. In the spirit of consumer trends, we discuss how significant brands like St-Hubert respond to consumer price sensitivities with freezes and discounts.

Lastly, we touch on exciting news from Couche-Tard's business landscape as they increase their bid in the ever-competitive market. Tune in for this packed episode full of insights and expert commentary on the future of food and sustainability!

Read the full Canadian Food Sentiment report here.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Skyrocketing Coffee, U.S. Port Strikes & Canada, A Grocery Legend Retires, special guest Marie-Noëlle Cano, President of CANO Intelligence Collective Inc.

michael@meleblanc.co (Marie-Noëlle Cano) — Thu, 3 Oct 2024 08:31:08 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle! In this episode, recorded live at SIAL in Montreal, we’re thrilled to have Marie-Noëlle Cano, Founder of Canoe Intelligence Collective, as our special guest. Marie-Noel shares valuable insights for food entrepreneurs and executives, offering lessons to inspire and inform your business strategies.

We also discuss the latest news impacting the food sector. Coffee prices are on the rise again—what’s driving the increase, and is this the moment for robusta to take center stage over arabica? Stay tuned for more as we gear up for the Coffee Association of Canada’s conference on November 14 in Toronto!

In other news, we explore the concerns around parasites in oysters on the East Coast; we break down Bill C-282 on supply management—why it’s crucial and why it’s poised to pass; and finally, we look at the massive U.S. port strike and its implications for Canada, and congratulate Darrell Jones of Pattison Food Group on his retirement, with Jamie Nelson stepping in as his successor.

About Marie-Noëlle

Marie-Noëlle Cano is the President of CANO Intelligence Collective Inc., a consulting firm founded after more than 20 years of experience advising executives of Quebec, Canadian, and international companies in 360-communications and Sustainable Development, thanks to her strategic and innovative business thinking.

With her multi-sector experience, both local, national, and international, and her ability to leverage team talents, Marie-Noëlle is a trusted resource for the leaders she collaborates with. She also serves on various boards and committees.

Throughout her career, she has held management positions that have led her to spearhead major, differentiating projects in communications, business strategies, and sustainable development with her teams.

Between 2021 and 2024, the CTAQ (Quebec Food Processing Council) and MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec) sought her expertise as a consultant to initiate and develop a crucial initiative for Quebec: the launch of Amélioration Alimentaire Québec (AAQ), whose mission is to encourage decision-makers in Quebec’s food industry to increase the supply of products with enhanced nutritional value.

She is also a graduate of HEC Montreal (Business School) and the University of Montreal in management and public relations, as well as in Catalan language and literature. Marie-Noëlle is currently pursuing studies at the University of Sherbrooke to obtain accreditation from the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Quebec as a civil, commercial, and workplace mediator.
___

Quick and acute analysis. Clear and grounded vision. Inspiring leadership. A magnetic approach that captivates collaborators, with an ability to see talent & increase engagement, ensuring results & success for you as an executive, your teams and your business. Perfectly bilingual with world-wide and multi-sector experience. Canadian and European (France) Citizenships.

https://collectivecano.com/en.html#

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Is Bill C-293 Canada's Vegan Act, More Supply Chain Turmoil, Body Cams and special guest Andrew Andriano, Founder and CEO of Flourish

michael@meleblanc.co (Andrew Andriano) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:03:55 +0000

In this episode of the Food Professor Podcast, our special guest is Andrew Andriano, the founder and CEO of Flourish, who has reimagined breakfast despite, or as a result of, a challenging start to his career. Michael is tuning in from the RevTech Accelerator summit in Dallas and brings the perspective of what people are talking about here in the U.S. in the food industry, avian flu and the rising cost of eggs, with some states seeing egg prices surge over 100%. The episode also touches on food supply issues due to labour disruptions, including potential banana shortages and strikes at critical ports in the U.S. and Canada. We also explore the real-world repercussions of Bill C-293, passed through parliament now in front of the Senate, which Sylvain wonders if it is better known as Canada's 'Vegan Act.' We also discuss disruptions' effects on food retailers, food banks, and restaurants, and Sylvain's op-ed "Feasts and Famine."

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/charlebois-is-bill-c-293-canadas-vegan-act

About Andrew

In 2018, Andrew Andriano was just 23 years old. He’d dropped out of university and had declined to enter his father’s business. With a future that would put most young adults into a tailspin, Andrew’s resilience and entrepreneurship began to shine through.

His journey began with precarious housing and lots of toaster waffles smothered in sugary spreads. With late nights and early mornings, he soon realized that his sugar laden start to the day wasn’t setting him up for success.

Tired of feeling sluggish and constantly hungry, Andriano reached out to his brother, Peter, a chef who had the capabilities to create a breakfast option that wasn’t frozen or from a box.

After many trials and errors, they came up with the perfect pancake recipe: high in protein, high in fibre and high in flavour, but minus the sugar.

Since then, Flourish has gone on to serve more than two million pancakes to North Americans. With a mission to fuel progress with high-protein, low-sugar foods that taste flippin’ delicious, Andrew and his team make breakfasts that deliver a daily dose of enjoyment and pack a serious nutritional punch.

Backed by Arlene Dickinson, of Dragon’s Den, Flourish is on track to be a $18 million dollar business within the next twelve months, and was named the fastest growing CPG company in Canada, by the Globe and Mail in 2022 and 2023.

Not only has the Flourish team built a business which is outpacing category growth and is Canada’s leading better-for-you pancake mix, it has also built a social media following with over 51,000 followers.

Flourish, a team of only 9, is now focused on aggressively acquiring new users and creating new eating occasions across the United States and Canada. Flourish is determined to transform breakfast categories with low-sugar, high protein solutions.

Flourish has been able to attract top talent from organizations such as Coca-Cola, Deloitte and Kraft Heinz. He has created a close-knit culture of colleagues who also consider themselves friends, and each are as committed to the success and mission of the business as Andrew.

2024 has already been an important year for the Flourish family, with a rebrand, a recipe enhancement, flavour extensions and the launch of the new Mug Cakes.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Quebec Takes on Tipflation, the Party is Over for Tupperware, Canadians Partying Less, guest Maxime Beauchesne from Pâtisserie Michaud

michael@meleblanc.co (Maxime Beauchesne) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 07:31:15 +0000

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael hosts Maxime Beauchesne from Pâtisserie Michaud, recorded live at the SIAL food innovation show. Maxime shares the history of the company, founded by Colette Michaud in 1983, and discusses how it has grown under the leadership of her son, Mario Michaud and his wife, Sophie Alain. The conversation highlights their success in diversifying sales channels, maintaining operational excellence, and what innovation looks like in this 60-year-old Quebec-based business.

Sylvain provides insights on recent changes to Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker and student visa programs and thoughts on the impacts on the restaurant sector, the effects of Quebec's new tip transparency regulations, and the broader economic landscape, touching on issues like Tupperware's bankruptcy and rising CPI concerns and food insecurity with a Federal government that continues to lose byelections and not address issues within its own house that could address food insecurity.

Song Credit Eating The Cats(Donald Trump ReMix)

https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1834689445238612141

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

DEI Rollback, Million A Month Foodbank, Exclusive Grocery eCommerce Research guest Colleen Martin from Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Colleen Martin) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:05:00 +0000

The podcast episode discusses several important topics, focusing on grocery e-commerce, sustainability, and economic trends in food access. The hosts, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois, along with guest Colleen Martin for Caddle, analyze proprietary research data on online grocery shopping habits among Canadians. Key findings include:

Online Grocery Shopping Trends: About 36.7% of Canadians have purchased groceries online in the past year, with younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) being the most active users. Urban areas, especially Ontario, show higher adoption rates, while rural and remote regions face barriers like limited access and higher delivery fees.

Motivations and Barriers: Convenience and time savings are the primary reasons for online grocery shopping. In contrast, concerns over product quality, delivery costs, and a preference for in-store shopping prevent others from adopting the practice.

Sustainability and Consumer Behavior: The discussion touches on sustainability in the food industry, particularly in meat production. The CEO of JBS argues that while sustainable practices are crucial, consumers are unwilling to pay a premium for them, especially amid inflation.

Food Insecurity in Ontario: One million Ontarians have used food banks in the past year, a worrying indicator of growing economic inequality. The hosts connect this trend to broader economic challenges, including inflation, wage stagnation, and rising personal debt.

These insights highlight shifts in consumer behavior, economic pressures, and sustainability challenges in Canada's food industry.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

China Versus Canola, BOC Interest Rate Cut and Your Dinner Plate, End of the NDP-Liberal Alliance and Ag, guest Francois Bouchard, SVP at GS1 Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Francois Bouchard) — Thu, 5 Sep 2024 07:41:00 +0000

In this episode, we welcome Francois Bouchard, Senior Vice President of Subscriber Engagement at GS1 Canada, live from the SIAL innovation show in Montreal. We dive into the latest innovation from GS1—the introduction of 2D barcodes and how it impacts global product tracking.

We also discuss various hot topics, such as the changing landscape for convenience stores in Ontario, new beer sales regulations, and The Beer Store's product expansion. We tackle international trade tensions as China retaliates with threats against Canada's canola industry and consider the potential effects on CUSMA/North American trade negotiations. Additionally, we explore labour restrictions affecting the restaurant industry and the impact of Starbucks' leadership changes. Tune in for speculation on a potential Couche-Tard acquisition of 7-Eleven and hear our take on a controversial issue—cloned cow milk in Canada. We cover the impacts of another rate cut in the Bank of Canada's interest rate. Finally, we touch on the political future of Canada with Jagmeet Singh's NDP's announcement of the end of their Confidence & Supply Agreement with the Trudeau Liberals, with a possible election on the horizon, and what it could mean for the agricultural sector.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Sizzling Summer Food Industry News & Special Guest Tony Chapman, Marketing Visionary and host of Chatter That Matters #pod

michael@meleblanc.co (Tony Chapman) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:15:14 +0000

We're back for our 5th season as one of Canada's top independent management podcasts after a summer break from live shows with a fast-paced review of all the big stories in the Canadian food industry that happened since we were last together live on the mic in June. It was an action-packed summer!!

Helping us kick off our season premiere with style is the one and only Tony Chapman, serial entrepreneur, marketing visionary, keynote speaker, and host of the great Chatter That Matter #podcast! Tony brings his powerful insights to the grocery sector, sharing his unique perspective on the industry's future. And in a thought-provoking twist, we ask Tony what he would do if he were handed the keys to a grocery empire.

About Tony

Tony Chapman is a trailblazing force in the marketing and content world, a three-time Hall of Fame inductee who built two globally acclaimed agencies and an innovative research firm from the ground up. Today, Tony is the host of the hit podcast Chatter That Matters, a trusted and dynamic media commentator, and a sought-after speaker.

Chatter That Matters, hosted by Tony, is a podcast about people who overcome circumstances to chase their dreams and change the world for the better. His guests include Olympians, Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar nominees, NY Times Best Sellers, thought leaders, change makers, and stories of people you've never heard of, but whose journeys will inspire.

Download Chatter that Matters wherever you get your podcasts, or you can listen here: https://chatterthatmatters.libsyn.com/

Twitter: @TonyChapman - https://twitter.com/tonychapman

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonychapmanreactions/

IG https://www.instagram.com/chatterthatmatters/

FB. https://www.facebook.com/tonychapmancanada/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Top Global Retail Technology Expert Carl Boutet on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Boutet) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Top Global Retail Technology Expert & friend of the #pod Carl Boutet discusses his role as the in-house retail technology expert at the Montreal SAIL show, highlighting his involvement in marshalling the experts in the food and innovation industry together to share wisdom and insights across the sector here in Canada and around the world.

Carl emphasized the importance of food in retail, noting that successful retailers like Walmart and Costco have integrated food offerings as part of their successful business growth model.

Carl also mentioned the challenges of innovation and details McGill's innovation lab, which focuses on frictionless commerce and healthy consumption, as well as its interdisciplinary research. Boutet also touched on the overhyped and underhyped aspects of smart carts and AI in retail and the need for more iterations in format innovation.

About Carl
Business strategist and executive advisor, McGill

Carl is a Montreal-based business strategist, digital marketer and executive advisor with over 25 years of hands-on operational, marketing and retail executive experience. He has worked across a full array of business environments from the very large, such as 10 years with Costco Wholesale to working as commercial applications lead for a global B2B security technology company. In both, managing product portfolios and emerging go-to-market strategies.

As the founder of StudioRx, he advises executives, B2C/B2B solution providers and all types of ecosystem partners on how to tailor their solutions according to customers’ evolving needs and build effective commercial strategies to meet them.

He holds an MBA from Queen’s University as well as professional certificates from Stanford, Harvard and MIT.

He advises several technology startups, industry associations and innovation labs.

He is the principal advisor for the McGill University Retail Innovation Lab in Montreal, Canada. He is also, course instructor at McGill Masters in Retail Innovation (emerging technologies and new business models) and adjunct digital marketing faculty at Asian Institute of Technology MBA School of Management.

Carl is recognized by Rethink Retail among the world’s most influential thought leaders and has keynoted, chaired and/or moderated the largest retail conferences around the world. He remains a regular media contributor with global news networks.

In 2021 he published his first book; The Great Acceleration – on how the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly propelled digital transformations and the business strategies to address the challenges that followed.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Grand Fromage, Cheese Master Gurth Pretty, returns on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Gurth M. Pretty) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode, Sylvain and I sit down again with one of our favourite repeat guests—a food industry professional who has forgotten more than we'll ever know about the fascinating and complex world of cheese—Gurth M. Pretty. We talk about the innovations happening in the world of cheese and the challenges facing Canadian retailers of bringing that innovation to market across the nation.

Visit Gurth at his fantastic bespoke cheese store in Mississauga, Lakeview Cheese Galore.

The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Getting Yourself Into (and out of) A Pickle with Daniel Jurkovic, Co-Owner at Aliments Putters Inc., on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Daniel Jurkovic) — Thu, 8 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode, Sylvain and I sit with Daniel Jurkovic, Co-Owner at Aliments Putters Inc., for a fascinating conversation and entrepreneurial journey that quickly became a lot more than Daniel bargained for when another major pickle brand supplier got into financial difficulties in the heart of the super-tight window that is the cucumber harvest season. Daniel and the team marshalled their talents and resources. They came to the rescue of Canadian farmers and now look ahead to building their commercial international business and their brand, Putters.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Chef Chuck Hughes is Back on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (chuck, Chuck Hughes) — Thu, 1 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, we welcome back to the podcast one of our favourite guests, Chef Chuck Hughes. Chuck stops by the SIAL podcast studio and visits us to chat about his new line of food products - one of which was a finalist in the SIAL innovation awards. We talk about how he decided to get into the food business, what it takes to get products off the menu and onto the shelf and the tricky intersection of innovation and commercial success.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Meet Michi Furuya Chang, EVP, Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, FHCP on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Michi Furuya Chang) — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to our Summer SIAL Special bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast, brought to you by our friends at Caddle! In this episode, meet Michi Furuya Chang, Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs, FHCP.

As the official podcast for the SIAL Food Innovation show this year in Montreal, Sylvain and I had the opportunity to interview the leading thought leaders, brands, and makers in the food industry. As the saying goes, these are their stories.

Stay tuned for season five of The Food Professor #podcast, debuting August 29th. We'll be back on the mic together live with our particular brand of truth, insight, interviews, custom research from our friends at Caddle, and a little bit of fun!

The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Meet Guillermo Anderson, St. Brigid's Creamery on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Guillermo Anderson) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to our Summer SIAL Special bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast, brought to you by our friends at Caddle! In this episode, meet Guillermo Anderson, COO for St. Brigid's creamery - maker of fantastic bespoke butter right from grass fed Jersey Cows, and you all know how much I like my butter!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Meet Souriya Otmani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Canada, a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Souriya Otmani) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to our Summer SIAL Special bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast, presented by our friends at Caddle! In this episode, meet Souriya Otmani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Canada, SIAL's 2024 Country of Honour. We learn all about this fantastic country at the crossroads of many cultures and traditions, its unique and diverse food offerings, and a little bit about the tradecraft of food diplomacy.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Meet Guy Chartier, CEO of Bee Maid Honey Limited, a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode

michael@meleblanc.co (Guy Chartier) — Thu, 4 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to our Summer SIAL Special bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast, brought to you by our friends at Caddle! In this episode, meet Guy Chartier, CEO of Bee Maid Honey Limited, a leading food cooperative based in Alberta & Manitoba with 300 Western Canadian Beekeepers who care for the honeybees and harvest their pure, delicious honey.

Stay tuned for season five of The Food Professor #podcast, debuting August 27th. We'll be back on the mic together live with our particular brand of truth, insight, interviews, custom research from our friends at Caddle, and a little bit of fun!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

MNP Agri-Food Power Index Preview, Shatner's Salmon Soliloquy, The Last Timbit, and guests Victor Thomas, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council & Colleen Martin, CRO, Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Victor Thomas, Colleen Martin) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 07:05:00 +0000

We have two exceptional guests on this final live episode of Season 4.

First, we welcome Victor Thomas, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council. This not-for-profit organization aims to strengthen the economic ties between Canada and India by promoting bilateral investment and trade. We delve into the vast opportunities for Canadian agriculture to help feed India's enormous and complex nation and discuss the political and regulatory considerations involved in large-scale trade. Interestingly, Victor is a former student of Sylvain's!

Next, Colleen Martin from Caddle joins us with exclusive research found only here on The Food Professor podcast. We talk to nearly 10,000 Canadians about their perceptions of cashiers sitting versus standing at grocery checkouts. Having just returned from Europe—the land of seated cashiers—Sylvain shares his thoughts on this cultural difference.

In the news, we discuss William Shatner's profanity-laden commercial produced by Ryan Reynolds' Vancouver agency, which calls for an end to open pen salmon fishing. We also cover the latest inflation data for May, our upcoming Global Agri-Food Power Index project with MNP, and the Capital Gains showdown. Plus, we touch on summertime politics and the quirky Tim Horton's Musical.

Though this is our last live episode, stay tuned throughout the summer for a series of live interviews from SIAL every Thursday with fascinating figures in food and agriculture. Season 5 kicks off in late August.

Links mentioned in the show:

https://the-food-professor.simplecast.com/episodes/special-encore-interview-episode-guests-isaiah-robinson-kitasoo-xaixais-nation-stephanie-columbo-canada-research-chair-in-aquaculture-tim-kennedy-canadian-aquaculture-industry-alliance

https://www.timhortons.ca/60

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6433107

https://youtu.be/DMtI2rtiQ-Q?si=QsOYt4ColaRaqMcz

About Victor

Victor Thomas is the President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council — a not-for-profit working to strengthen the Canada-India economic corridor by promoting bilateral investment and trade. He is also Chair of Precision AI, an AgTech company striving for sustainable farming practices in the autonomous farming revolution, and Chair of Marval Capital's Investment Advisory Counsel, which invests in India's leading small and mid-cap publicly listed companies. He is a director emeritus of the Rideau Hall Foundation Board of Directors and a National Executive Member of the 2026 Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Look-Smell-Taste' Initiative, B.C. Salmon Farming Shutdown, The Capital Gains Taxman Commeth for Farmers and guests David Long, CEO, and Cynthia Boulter, COO, from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank

michael@meleblanc.co (David Long, Cynthia Boulter) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 07:52:01 +0000

This week, we are excited to have special guests David Long, CEO, and Cynthia Boulter, COO, from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. David and Cynthia share their insights on their critical work to combat food insecurity in Vancouver. They discuss their organization's unique challenges and opportunities arising from operating in such a dynamic urban environment.

A few links of interest:

GVFB Website: https://foodbank.bc.ca/
ReThinking Food Documentary: https://vimeo.com/760366175
Country life in BC – Craig Edwards: https://foodbank.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Country-Life-in-BC-Viewpoint-2024-04.pdf
GVFB Information for the BC Farmer Tax Credit - https://foodbank.bc.ca/ways-to-give/industry-food-donations/bc-farmer-tax-credit/
David Long in Macleans: https://macleans.ca/longforms/food-banks-affordability-inflation-groceries/

In the news, Too Good To Go's new initiative, Look-Smell-Taste, aims to reduce food waste by encouraging consumers to trust their senses. Next, the discussion shifts to the Capital Gains Tax update and its potential impact on Ag and Innovation in Canada; StatCan's latest CPI basket update is also on the agenda. Food now comprises 16.72% of the basket, up from 16.13% last year. This includes a notable rise in the weighting of food from stores and restaurants.

In a surprising turn, former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley advocates ending supply management in the dairy sector, the recent ruling to phase out open-net salmon farming in B.C. over five years, examining its effects on the industry and consumers. Lastly, the hosts discuss the Wall Street Journal's report on U.S. retailers resizing women's apparel lines in response to the growing influence of GLP-1 weight loss drugs and McDonald's pause on its A.I. drive-through pilot due to high-profile mistakes.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

EU Tilt Right & Ag, Montreal Terrace Fiasco, Veggie Hot Dog Controversy, and guest Jake Freeze, Managing Director and Part-Owner of Sussex Ice Cream

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:26:37 +0000

In the latest episode of the Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois welcome special guest Jake Freeze, Managing Director and Part-Owner of Sussex Ice Cream. Jake, who was born and raised on a dairy farm in Sussex, continues to have a deep connection to the local agricultural community as he balances his career as a practicing lawyer with his role in the family business. Jake, his father, Dave, and a dedicated team ensure Sussex Ice Cream maintains its commitment to high-quality, locally sourced dairy products.

Sylvain, with his 22nd appearance at the INDU in Ottawa, shares compelling insights from his recent testimony. The conversation then delves into current news, discussing the far-reaching implications of the EU elections on global trade, a snap election in France, and their direct effects on farmers and rural populations. The hosts also touch on the decline in beer sales, Chocolats Favoris' decision to freeze ice cream prices for the summer, and the surprising departure of Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut from the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest due to his affiliation with plant-based hot dogs.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Rate Cut Ripple, Beef with Beef Processing, Strawberry Fields Forever, and guest Isabelle Marquis, SIAL Jury President and Tertulia Brugge's El Gusto's Eugenia Sanchez

michael@meleblanc.co (Isabelle Marquis) — Thu, 6 Jun 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Our guests live from SIAL In Montreal are competition jury President Isabelle Marquis, back for her third visit on the #pod, and Tertulia Brugge's El Gusto Gourmet Drip Coffee's Eugenia Sanchez, who won the Grand Prix Gold award. The brand will receive a $10,000 grant in products or services provided by Nielsen and a 100-square-foot bare booth for SIAL Toronto 2025.

In the news, we look at the implications of the Bank of Canada's long-awaited interest rate cut, the labour challenges with beef processing in Canada, what that means for BBQ season, and California's strawberry boom.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Ketchup Wars Reduxe, BOC's Interest Rate Pending Decision, Theft Stats and guest Adekambi (Kambi) Laleye, co-founder and CEO of UpTaste, SIAL Technology and Packaging Award Winner

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 30 May 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Our special guest this week, recorded live at SIAL Montreal, is Adekambi (Kambi) Laleye, co-founder and CEO of UpTaste. UpTaste recently won the Technology and Packaging Award for their innovative automated in-store sampling solution.

Sylvain and I discussed the latest ERA Awards, which recognize excellence in various retail categories. Metro Inc. won for eCommerce Experience, Farm Boy Inc. for In-Store Experience & Design, LCBO for Loss Prevention and Talent Development, Tim Hortons for Philanthropic Leadership, and Pattison Food Group for Retail Marketing.

Fresh from a whirlwind visit to Berlin, Sylvain shared insights on his trip, sparking discussions on international food trends. Breaking news from the RCC STORE2024 conference revealed that Eataly is opening its third Toronto location at Don Mills, with a fourth soon at CF Eaton Centre, making Toronto the top city for Eataly locations worldwide.

We also touched on the RCC grocery theft numbers and the recent Heinz-Kraft deal renewal with Leamington. A lively debate ensued about whether cashiers should sit down during their shifts, highlighting differing perspectives on customer service and employee comfort.

Looking ahead, we speculated on the upcoming Bank of Canada decision on June 5 and whether they will cut interest rates. We also examined whether supply management contributes to higher food prices, backed by compelling data demonstrating price volatility.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Inflation hits the brakes, Dairy Avian Flu Mystery Meeting, Loblaw New Strategy, guests SIAL Gold Winners Jennifer Zimmermann and Amy Bronstetter, co-founders of Epic Tofu and Exclusive BBQ research with Colleen Martin from Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Jennifer Zimmermann, Amy Bronstetter, Colleen Martin) — Thu, 23 May 2024 08:00:27 +0000

In this episode, presented by Caddle, Michael LeBlanc brings fresh insights from the action-packed SIAL food innovation show in Montreal. Michael & Sylvain share their experiences and interviews, highlighting the energy and innovations at the event. The episode's special guests, Jennifer Zimmermann and Amy Bronstetter, co-founders of Epic Tofu, discuss their victory in SIAL Canada's food and beverage Start-Up Pitch Competition. They impressed the judges with their innovative frozen tofu, which offers superior texture and flavour, triples shelf-life, reduces food waste, and has replaced over 250,000 meat-based meals.

The episode also features Colleen Martin from Caddle, who presents exclusive research on BBQ trends. She delves into what people are cooking, their equipment, and their preferences, providing invaluable insights for BBQ enthusiasts and the food industry and helping them stay ahead of the curve.

Michael and his co-host delve into a post-analysis of the SIAL show, reflecting on the sessions, key takeaways, and overall vibe. They also delve into pressing issues such as inflation, engaging in detailed discussions on recent inflation numbers and their profound impact on the food industry, providing the audience with a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Additionally, the podcast covers the recent House of Commons agriculture committee meeting on H5N1, which was unexpectedly held in-camera, and Loblaw's new public relations strategy featuring Dufresne on BNN and a new Code of Conduct.

The episode concludes with a look at Red Lobster's fate and ownership structure, noting its decline in Canada and the U.S. and its ownership structure with only 30 remaining restaurants, humorously dubbed "Dead Lobster."

BBQ Ideas for Fish

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcsOZjlDuxxKtifO3YVhOTHoGgUSLb-T7

About Epic Tofu

We met 6 years ago after our 2nd babies were born—in a mommy-group encounter that feels like a life time ago. We chatted about babies, breastfeeding, bottles, and business. But, with young kids underfoot and existing careers in progress, starting a business together was always just a passing comment.

As the years went by we raised kids (lots of girls), worked together, and became friends. Then a global pandemic hit—everything slowed down. No time for ourselves as parents without child care, but funny enough, lots of time to think. And thought we did until the right idea finally came to us!

Food became scarce for a while in the early months of the pandemic. Tofu was nearly impossible to get our hands on; in particular, Jenn's favourite brick of smoked tofu. And just like that, an idea was born; if we can't buy flavoured tofu, we'll make our own! And we'll make it even better than ever.

So here we are, putting ourselves (and our recipes) out there for the world to judge! We love what we do, we love tofu and we hope you will too!

About Amy

My dream has always been to start a business... with 18 years of experience and the most passionate "work spouse" anyone could ask for, Epic Tofu is finally here! I have had the privilege of working with some of the worlds finest entrepreneurs and I have done every "job in the building". Thanks to these experiences (and of course a ridiculous amount of hard work) Epic Tofu will become synonymous in Canada with "the best natural, marinated plant based protein on the market"... Bold I know, but there's no other way to dream!

About Jennifer

Jenn is a Marketing and Communications nerd whose experience spans the consumer packaged goods, retail and government industries. A communicator at heart, Jenn spent her career helping companies build better relationships with their customers by telling the stories that make their brands truly unique.

Now, Jenn is building her own brand as co-founder of Epic Tofu—a self-funded plant-based food start up. They’re challenging the plant-based industry with full-flavour marinated tofu products that are so epic, even tofu haters love them.

About Colleen

Colleen has been working in the Retail industry for close to 25 years with a proven track record in growing businesses by providing strategic direction and leadership to merchandising and marketing teams.
At Caddle, Colleen is responsible for driving revenue growth and maximizing profitability within the organization. She leads cross-functional teams, aligning sales, marketing, customer success to ensure a unified and customer-centric approach to revenue generation. Colleen is adept at fostering a high-performance culture, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and customer satisfaction as core values within the revenue-generating functions of the company.

Specialties: Creation & implementation of winning store-level programs, brand development, team development, communication, project management, marketing strategies & communication, retail assortment, insights from data analysis, category management, profit and loss management, negotiation, digital and social media retail strategies, advertising strategy and execution, SEO/SEM.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live at SIAL in Montreal, Canada's Sad Supply Chain, and our guest Marc Vaucher, Scale AI

michael@meleblanc.co (Marc Vaucher) — Thu, 16 May 2024 07:15:42 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor podcast, we are live from Montreal's SIAL's Food Innovation Show. We discuss our first day at the show and our numerous interactions with industry professionals. The episode features an insightful interview with Marc Vaucher, Senior Investment Director at Scale AI, highlighting the organization's role in enhancing productivity for Canadian companies through AI adoption. Marc explains that Scale AI, backed by substantial federal funding, has supported 120 projects, adding significant value to the Canadian economy. The conversation covers various AI applications in agriculture and grocery retail, including predictive analytics for crop management and optimization of retail operations.

In the news, we delve into the state of the Canadian supply chain, discussing potential labor disruptions at Vancouver Ports and on the rails with CN, and their potential impact on businesses. We underline the importance of recognizing the food supply chain as an essential service to avert such disruptions. Furthermore, we explore the current trends in the food industry, noting a shift towards creating recession-proof products and the increasing focus on catering to millennial preferences.

We conclude with discussions on the strategic movements of major companies like Kraft Heinz, their divestment from certain product lines, and the growing trend of consumers shopping at a greater variety of retailers. We mourn the end of the automatronic band at Chuck E Cheese, celebrate the opening of a big new facilities by The Little Potato Company.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Florida Bans Lab Meat, Fake China Cooking Oil, Starbucks Troubles and Guest Dr. Tony Walker, Dalhousie University

michael@meleblanc.co (Tony Walker) — Thu, 9 May 2024 07:15:15 +0000

In this episode, we are thrilled to have Professor Tony Walker, a distinguished environmental scientist from Dalhousie University, as our guest. Professor Walker shared profound insights from his recent groundbreaking study on plastics in the food industry, a study that has been widely recognized and published in the prestigious journal Science. This episode delved into the crucial environmental impacts of plastics in the food chain, providing a comprehensive understanding of his findings, which were previously touched upon in an earlier episode.

We provided an update on the bird flu outbreak affecting U.S. dairy, a situation that has led to increased vigilance in Canada. We discussed Florida's pioneering ban on meat produced from cell cultures, a move that is being considered by other states including Alabama. The episode also examined the cancellation of Calgary's plastic bylaw, a decision that could have had significant implications for the city's environmental policies.

Additionally, the episode previewed the upcoming SIAL event in Montreal, where the podcast will serve as the official podcast, releasing episodes during and after the event as summer bonuses.

The discussion also included allegations of fraudulent cooking oil from China and Starbucks' challenges.

*********

Image: Volunteers from Green Africa Youth Organization and End Plastic Pollution Uganda examine branded plastic waste and record brand audit data in Kampala, Uganda. (Nirere Sadrach photo

About Professor Walker

Dr. Tony Walker is a Professor at the School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University in Canada. Tony has studied the impacts of plastic pollution for nearly 30 years. He helped participate in a Leaders and Experts Roundtable on Plastics and Marine Litter to help develop the Ocean Plastics Charter for Canada's 2018 G7 presidency. He represented Canada at the G7 Science Meeting on Plastic Pollution in Paris, France. He has published extensively on policies to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution and is an Associate Editor for Marine Pollution Bulletin and Editor for Cambridge Prisms: Plastics.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj8275

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-021-00747-4

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijcs.12691

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22001424

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Philosophy of Boycotts, McDonald's Results Miss & guest Chamali Kodikara, University of Manitoba Ph.d Candidate & IFTSA Board of Directors

michael@meleblanc.co (Chamali Kodikara) — Thu, 2 May 2024 07:05:00 +0000

This episode features Chamali Kodikara, a notable Graduate Research Scientist from the University of Manitoba. The discussion kicks off with Chamali's significant role in the food science community, including her position on the IFTSA Board of Directors.

We discuss the philosophy and effectiveness of boycotts in the context of solid results this week from Loblaw.

The episode takes a serious turn as we discuss the potential health implications for Canada and North America. We delve into the discovery of a dangerous bird flu virus strain, H5N1, found in the lung of a symptomless U.S. dairy cow. This virus, identified in processed, pasteurized milk, exhibits unique genetic changes, hinting at a wider spread among cattle than previously anticipated, raising food safety concerns.

In the realm of economic news, we discuss the recent downturn in McDonald's global sales growth, a clear indication of shifting consumer spending habits. However, amidst this, we bring a ray of excitement as we share the news of Shake Shack's plans to open its first Canadian outlet in Toronto's bustling Yonge-Dundas Square. This promises to be a game-changer, offering a fresh and significant dining option for the area.

Lastly, the Quebec liquor board's decision to cull up to 200 local spirits from its inventory highlights the challenges facing microdistilleries in Quebec due to intense competition and stringent regulations. This move has sparked a debate about the sustainability and variety of local products in a challenging economic climate.

Links for Chamali

https://www.ift.org/press/press-releases/2024/march/22/iftsa-elects-chamali-kodikara-vp-of-competitions

https://www.producer.com/news/food-researcher-adds-more-to-her-resume/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Safety & Affordability Research, Shrinkflation Signage, California Fast Food Wage Impacts & Tanner Townsend, Uncle Bob's Popcorn Kernels

michael@meleblanc.co (Tanner Towsend) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:14:38 +0000

In the latest episode of "The Food Professor" podcast, we have the privilege of hosting Tanner Townsend from Uncle Bob Popcorn in Ontario. He provides unique insights into the intricacies and passion behind the family-run popcorn business, making for a fascinating discussion.

Michael shares his excitement about moderating a panel with industry expert Stuart Samuel at the upcoming SIAL Montreal innovation food show. Broadcasting from Dallas, Texas, Michael also touches on his participation in a book launch for "Leaders Leap" with Steve Dennis and plans for a barbecue tour in Austin. The episode shifts to cover significant industry news, starting with a new study on food safety that Sylvain finds alarming; we delve into the issue of shrinkflation in grocery stores, comparing tactics on the shelf and consumer reactions internationally.

Additionally, the episode addresses the Gate Gourmet Canada strike and the implications of California's new $20/hr minimum wage law.

Food Safety Research

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/food-safety.html

Uncle Bob's

https://www.ontariopoppingcorn.com/

Steve Dennis's new book

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/leaders-leap-transforming-your-company-at-the-speed-of-disruption/9781637560297.html

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food & the Federal Budget, Breakfast Breakdown and Exclusive Edible Cannabis Research with Colleen Martin, Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this podcast episode, we are thrilled to have back on the #pod for her regular monthly gig Colleen Martin, a renowned research expert from our presenting sponsor Caddle, who joins us to discuss their research conducted for our show and audience. Coinciding with the 4.20 Holiday, this episode delves into the latest consumer trends in retail cannabis, particularly edibles, beyond traditional forms like the 'devil's lettuce.' Colleen's exclusive, fresh-baked, proprietary research enriches our understanding of consumer preferences in this evolving market.

The episode then shifts gears to discuss recent economic policies significantly affecting the food industry. We dissect the federal budget, highlighting key aspects such as rebates on the carbon tax benefiting farmers and small businesses and the absence of a "grocery windfall tax" Providing relief for the restaurant sector. We also delve into the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers, noting the moderation in food inflation, a trend Sylvain had previously predicted while underlining the impact of rising costs in other areas, like gas and housing, on overall inflation.

Government employment trends are another focal point, with Sylvain presenting data on increased federal employees during both Trudeau eras. This section provides context to government staffing levels compared to previous administrations, noting a ratio of 110 federal employees per citizen, significantly lower than the 150 per citizen in the U.S.

The episode briefly mentions trending topics in the food sector, such as survival food kits, reflecting on their practicality and recent surge in popularity, and the future of Red Lobster in an era of very high-priced lobster.

Caddle Survey on Canadian Cannabis Consumer Habits

https://askcaddle.com/thefoodprofessorpodcast/

Breakfast Survey

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/breakfast-survey.html

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Stats Canada Food Fight, $ US1.4 Trillion Farm Bill, Rib Robots and guest Ian Lee, Associate Professor at Carleton University | Sprott School

michael@meleblanc.co (Ian Lee) — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois are joined by the esteemed Dr. Ian Lee, an Associate Professor at Carleton University. Together, they delve into a series of pressing topics in food and agriculture, leveraging Dr. Lee's extensive knowledge and experience. The discussion covers competition in the food industry, the anticipated impact of the Code of Conduct, and Canada's economic outlook.

The episode kicks off with a crucial conversation about the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) and its potential implications for Canada. The hosts then turn their attention to Statistics Canada's food basket pricing, a topic of significant interest and debate, questioning whether it underestimates or overestimates the real costs. They reference a Toronto Sun column penned by Sylvain that highlights some discrepancies in the pricing.

Attention shifts to the upcoming US Farm Bill, which is anticipated to allocate $1.4 trillion over ten years, juxtaposed against Canada's comparatively modest $3.5 billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) over five years. The hosts also correct a previous claim regarding Amazon's "just walk out" technology, clarifying misconceptions about the system's operation.

The conversation further explores the evolving landscape of automation in meatpacking, highlighting Smithfield's initiative to deploy robots for tasks like rib pulling, significantly reducing waste and reassigning workers to less physically demanding roles. This shift toward automation, exemplified by Smithfield's strategy to reassign about 500 employees annually, marks a transformative phase in food production, aiming for higher efficiency and worker safety.

Lastly, we touch upon the wine industry's challenges, noting a significant surplus in California's bulk wine market, showcasing the broader economic and logistical complexities facing today's food and agriculture sectors.

Statistics Canada PHOTO BY TONY CALDWELL/POSTMEDIA

https://www.wsj.com/business/meet-the-robots-slicing-your-barbecue-ribs-338a7794?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1

About Ian

I am an Associate Professor at Carleton University in the Sprott School where I started in 1988, teaching the 4th year and(later) the MBA Strategic Management capstone course, as well as related courses such as International Business Strategy, from then to now.

After dropping out of grade 12 in 1971, I worked at a series of minimum wage jobs for 3 years in the early 1970s. In 1974, I started with an American financial services multinational as a credit manager trainee eventually becoming a Branch Manager in several branches in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. I was then recruited in 1977 by Canada’s oldest bank (that predates Canada by a half century), where I was given outstanding training in banking, economics and management by British bankers. I was employed at the BMO Main Office Branch (4thlargest in all Canada at that time) at 144 Wellington and Sparks opposite Parliament Hill and beside the National Press Club (Parliament subsequently acquired, refurbished and renamed the branch as Sir John A. Macdonald Building for Parliament Hill receptions). As Loan and Mortgage Manager in my mid 20s, I dealt with cabinet ministers in the Trudeau Government, Senators, MPs, national journalists, Supreme Court judges, deputy ministers, national NGOs and staff of embassies including the Chinese and USSR Ambassadors, as well as national institutions such as the Bank of Canada. And in that capacity throughout those years, I evaluatedpersonal and corporate financial statements and lent millions and millions of dollars in demand loans, consumer loans, mortgage loans and business loans.

After completing my entire undergraduate degree on a part time basis in the evenings over 10 years while employed full time, I resigned from the bank to enroll full time in a master’s degree in public policy in 1982 at Carleton University. However, I completed the second year of the master’s degree full time in evenings in 1983-84 as I accepted a position as a full time policy analyst with Canada Post Corporation in Corporate Finance and Banking, Head Office. Upon graduation in 1984, I resigned from Canada Post to enroll in the PhD program in the public policy stream at Carleton University graduating in 1989. My 850 page PhD thesis was titled: The Canadian Post Office: Origins, growth and decay of the state postal function, 1765-1981. While completing my PhD, I was employed for one summer in 1985 in the Privy Council Office, Machinery of Government.

Shortly after starting with the Sprott School on a tenure track in 1988, the Berlin Wall came down in October 1989. Then in 1990-91, Carleton University School of Business was awarded $3 million by Foreign Affairs Canada to establish a Canadian Business School in Poland at theprestigious Central School for Planning and Statistics – later renamed the Warsaw School of Economics. In April 1991, I became the first western professor to teach in a university in a former communist country under an OECD country funded business management program. I have continued to teach at Warsaw School of Economics (in the EMBA since 1997) where I have had a bird’s eye view of the remarkable transformation of Poland from an impoverished, corrupt centralizedsocialist economy managed by the elite nomenklatura to a remarkably vibrant prosperous decentralized democratic country in transition.

Since 1990, I have taught approximately 100 times across the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, mostly in EMBA programs, in many different countries ranging from Poland to Russia to Iran to Ukraine to Cuba to Romania to Slovenia to Latvia to Czech to Argentina to Croatiato Mexico and after 1997 in China – always inAmerican or Canadian universities in partnership with a local university. I taught a number of times for the University of Washington (Seattle) with ASEBUSS in Bucharest, Romania; Katz Graduate School U Pittsburg in Prague; SUNY Buffalo with Riga Business School, Latvia; Carnegie-Mellon with IMI-Kiev, Ukraine; Carleton Sprott School with Qeshm Institute in Qeshm and Tehran, Iran; University of Ottawa in Hong Kong; Carleton Sprott School with Donghua University in Shanghai; UQAM at Warsaw School of Economics; Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship, Warsaw; Czech Management Center, Prague; IEDC, Bled, Slovenia; Zagreb, Croatia.

These extensive international teaching experiencesover a third of a century, provided a much deeper understanding of non-western, often authoritarian, frequently deeply corrupt, state centrally planned or administered countries sometimes transitioning to western, rule of law, decentralized economies and societies.

From 1996-98, I was appointed as Supervisor of the Bachelor of International Business in the Sprott School to address significant structural issues that emerged after this innovative new program had been operational for 2 years. In 2007, I was appointed as Chair of the MBA Restructuring Committee that led to the replacement of the former thesis based master’s degree with a brand new professional MBA degree. We benchmarked key competitor MBA programs and completed extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders that led to the proposed new structure including 50 new MBA graduate courses. I was then appointed the new MBA Director from 2007-2010 to implement the new program including staffing 50 new MBA courses with permanent faculty and contract instructors.

I completed two sabbaticals in the USA: at American University in Washington DC in 1995 and Cal State Monterey Bay one hour south of Silicon Valley from 2001-2003.

I am presently a member of the Carleton University Board of Governors, 2016-2019. I am also a member of the Sprott School MBA Committee, Carleton University EURUS Advisory Board and the Carleton University Graduate Appeal Committee since 2010.

During the past 50 years, in addition to visiting every Canadian province, I completed road trips through 43 of 50 US states and visited 8 of 14 US Presidential libraries. I have visited most West, Central and East European countries including living for 2 years each at RCAF 3 Wing, Zweibrucken, West Germany andRCAF 1 Wing, Marville France in the mid 1950s (where my father flew F-86 Sabre jets and later F-104 Starfighter jets).

Over the years, I appeared extensively in the media including CBC, CTV and Global National News, CBC TV On the Money weekly on The Roundup, and Power and Politics and CBC Radio Syndication. I am a weekly regular on CFRA Rob Snow program and Sirius-National Post Radio as well as the Corus Radio Networkin Toronto. Over the last 10 years, I published 45 Op-Eds in the Globe and Mail, New York Times, National Post, Financial Post and Ottawa Citizen concerning contemporary public policy issues as well as research monographs for the Macdonald-Laurier Institute concerning Canada Post, supply management, alternative payment instruments, deficits and the retirement income system.

Since 2008, I appeared by invitation before House of Commons and Senate finance, banking, industry and trade committees 25 times concerning public policy debates. I have been invited by Global TV to attend every federal budget lockup as one of their expert witnesses since 2008.

I have published multiple times in the annual edition of How Ottawa Spends concerning Canada’s retirement system, the PBO, deficits, corporate income reform and the Liberal downsizing of 1995-97 and the Conservative Government downsizing of 2010-15.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

New School Food Program Gets The Grade, Olive Oil Squeeze, Avian Flu Dairy and guests James Crosby & Lori King, Crosby Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Lori King, James Crosby) — Thu, 4 Apr 2024 08:28:54 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor podcast, we explore the heart of Canadian food industry insights, with a particular focus on innovation and heritage.

The episode features James Crosby, President & CEO of Crosby Foods, a quintessential family-owned Canadian company from New Brunswick, and Lori King, who spearheads their innovation and marketing efforts. Crosby, representing the fifth generation of leadership within the company, discusses the evolution of Crosby Foods and its commitment to quality and innovation in a conversation that's far from slow - a playful nod to their flagship product's reputation.

In the news, we talk about the significant disparity in Canadians' monthly food spending, which has dropped as an index from $339 to $248. The discussion unfolds around the contentious carbon tax open letter, debates the merits of the newly announced National School Food Program by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—a $1 billion investment over five years aiming to provide meals to an additional 400,000 children—and touches upon the emerging trends in grocery, including Amazon's venture into the sector.

The episode doesn't shy away from global challenges affecting the food industry, such as the bird flu outbreak in livestock and the rising popularity of butter as a simpler, healthier food ingredient amidst changing consumer preferences. It also discusses the financial implications of the surging prices of olive oil.

This episode is dedicated to SCTV's Joe Flaherty, celebrating his iconic roles and significant cultural impact.

Salute to SCTV's Joe Flaherty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnTjs0heRJo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPFAAGC0Jxo

About James

James is the 5th generation of the Crosby family to serve as President of Crosby Foods Ltd. His entrepreneurial spirit has forged the path for growth and innovation to provide consumers with new products in new categories under a better for you lens. James is impassioned to continue to provide consumers with foods they trust and expect from his family’s much loved brand, embraced by Canadians for the past 145 years.

James graduated from Queen’s University (B. Comm) and holds a professional designation with the Canadian Logistics Institute. James serves on the board of directors of Food, Health, and Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP), and Food Producers of Canada (FPC). He is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

James is married with 3 children and enjoys skiing, basketball, and golf. Other interests include reading, music, and politics.

About Lori

An experienced and successful brand builder with success in CPG marketing, specializing in the wine & spirits industry. Strong reputation for brand creation, product development, packaging and program innovation.

Skilled in developing and managing multi functional areas to ensure all resources are working most efficiently.

Experienced in the US and Canadian marketplaces.

Lori has successfully developed, launched and built brands in the premium wine, luxury spirits and craft beer categories, throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

Specialties:

Brand Creation
Innovation
Product Development
Packaging
Brand & Portfolio Strategy
Naming
Creative Direction
Short film production
Art Direction
Copywriting
Sales
Hospitality/Tasting Room Guest Experience
Marketing Collateral
Social Media Planning
Printing Consultation

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Bad Shrimp, Fungus Frustrated Easter Bunny, One Million Canadians on GLP-1s and Guest Chef Charlotte Langley

michael@meleblanc.co (Charlotte Langley) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:10:00 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor podcast, presented by Caddle, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois dive into a range of pressing issues within the food industry, alongside their esteemed guest, Chef Charlotte Langley, co-founder of Scout and the visionary behind Langley Foods. This episode not only celebrates the innovation and sustainability in seafood canning but also explores the transformative journey of emerging Canadian brands through Langley's latest venture.

A significant portion of the podcast is dedicated to discussing groundbreaking Canadian research on GLP-1 weight loss drugs, presented by Caddle. This revelation is set against the backdrop of various industry challenges and evolutions, including the dramatic incident in Baltimore where a shipping liner collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, raising concerns over the immediate impact on North America's food supply chain.

As Easter approaches, the unprecedented surge in cocoa prices to over $10,000/mt US prompts a debate on whether this is a fleeting occurrence or a potential trend, and how it might affect consumers already anticipating their chocolate treats.

The episode takes a sobering turn with investigative reports shedding light on the dire working conditions in the sugar and shrimp industries in India, revealing systemic issues of exploitation and the urgent need for corporate accountability.

Moreover, the discussion on the significant reduction in Canadian grocery spending since early 2020 opens up questions on consumer behaviour shifts due to COVID-19, inflation, and the balance between grocery and foodservice spending.

Lastly, the podcast touches on the controversial topic of Bitcoin's role in the food industry, signaling a deep dive into digital currencies and their implications. The episode wraps up with a nod to poutine, celebrating its 60th year as a cherished dish, showcasing the podcast's blend of serious industry insights with cultural highlights.

Caddle's GLP-1 Research

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/glp1-survey.html

The Globe & Mail Article on Shrimp Production in India

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-outlaw-ocean-india-seafood-plants/

New York Times expose on Sugar Production in India for Pepsi & Coke

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/24/world/asia/india-sugar-cane-fields-child-labor-hysterectomies.html?searchResultPosition=2

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cattle Futures, Vegas Restaurant Bifurcation, the state of food inflation, Carbon Tax Nation, and special guest Michelin star chef, Irish restauranteur, JP McMahon (R)

michael@meleblanc.co (JP McMahon) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 09:31:06 +0000

Our extraordinary guest in this episode is JP McMahon, Michelin star chef, restauranteur, ambassador for Irish food and author, reprising our interview from early 2023. In the news, we cover cattle futures and the high. Rising cost of beef, talk about experiential dining in Vegas versus highly efficient AI dining in Del Taco, Canada's poor track record (we think!) in private food innovation investment, and Sylvain's perspective on the carbon tax and alternative solutions to help manage the impacts of climate change.

About JP

JP McMahon is one of Ireland’s most prominent chefs. A passionate advocate of wild, seasonal and sustainable ingredients from the west of the country, he is committed to promoting the food of Galway, and to producing world-class, contemporary Irish cuisine. His Michelin-star restaurant Aniar does both, but it also feeds back into the local community on a much deeper level. His annual Food On The Edge symposium in Galway reaches even further afield, with its roll call of top chefs from all over the world. Which is why JP McMahon is one of the most influential people in European gastronomy today.

The Dublin-born chef had his first food epiphany as a child while on holiday in Tipperary. While the rest of the family had burgers, he opted for a spaghetti bolognese, which was a revelation to the youngster. It set him on a course of discovery that would see him work in various kitchens, while also harbouring an ambition to become a writer. It wasn’t until 2008 that he opened his first venture, a Spanish restaurant called Cava. It quickly won a reputation for serving some of the best tapas in Ireland, and it gave McMahon the confidence to embark on his most ambitious restaurant project to date.

Aniar (meaning ‘west’ in Gaelic) is a love letter to the produce and landscape of the West of Ireland and its rugged coast. Almost every ingredient used here is either native to the local region or from somewhere else in Ireland, whether it’s foraged seaweed and Galway Bay oysters, or seasonal sea urchins and truffles. Terroir is the central theme, and although the menu changes daily, it is certain to have a distinctive local flavour that mirrors McMahon’s cooking philosophy. Pickled, smoked, cured and fermented ingredients hint at his commitment to the environment, using the methods of the past in order to inspire future sustainability.

Among JP McMahon’s signature dishes are his Galway Bay oyster with pickled seaweed, oyster emulsion and sea herbs. His Dexter beef tartare, smoked egg yolk and pepper dulse seaweed showcases some of the very best farmed and foraged ingredients in the country. Meanwhile, his cod and seaweed beurre blanc with trout roe reveals the very best of the west coast of Ireland.

Aniar has retained a Michelin star since 2013, but its significance locally has more impact than mere awards. McMahon founded the Aniar School Project, in which he teaches children of all ages about the importance of food. And the Aniar Cookery School, also led by McMahon, aims to instruct chefs of all levels how to cook local ingredients sustainably. The conversation about the environment doesn’t stop there, however.

At the annual Food On The Edge symposium, chefs from around the world gather in Galway to discuss the future of food. As founder and director, McMahon plays a key role in setting the agenda, but with participants of the calibre of Massimo Bottura, Elena Arzak, Matt Orlando and Amanda Cohen, the discussion frequently branches out in all kinds of fascinating tangents, from food waste to mental health. The idea is to bring people together to share ideas and form powerful collaborations that can help change the way we think about food. Some of the chefs also participate in Aniar’s Chef Swap initiative, which sees guest chefs from all over the world take over the kitchen and create their own menu.

It’s this ethos of collaboration that typifies JP McMahon’s work, not only as a chef, but also as a culinary thought leader. Whether it’s local food producers in the West of Ireland, or celebrated chefs from the other side of the world, the emphasis is on working together to ensure a better future for all. That way, the author of the book 10,000 Years Of Irish Food is aiming to ensure another 10,000 more.

Source: https://www.finedininglovers.com/people/jp-mcmahon

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Where's The Beef (from)?, Did Aldi Even Take the Call, and our first Caddle Rapid Response Survey: Ungraded Mexican Beef on Canadian Shelves

michael@meleblanc.co (Colleen Martin) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, we kick off our new monthly Rapid Response segment featuring Colleen Martin from Caddle with Canadians' perceptions of ungraded Mexican beef on our grocery shelves. This timely discussion sheds light on consumer awareness, concerns, and the potential impact on purchasing decisions.

But first, we examine international beef regulations, highlighting the U.S.'s push for stricter "Made in U.S.A." standards and the Canadian Cattle Association's critique, labelling them overly stringent. The episode also touches on Aldi's significant expansion plans in the U.S., speculating on the implications for the Canadian market.

A particularly eye-opening segment of the podcast covers the exploitation of North Korean labour in the Chinese seafood industry, as the Globe & Mail and the Outlaw Ocean Project reported. This investigation reveals how products processed by forced labour are entering North American markets despite United Nations sanctions and Canadian legislation to prevent such imports.

Finally, the podcast addresses public opinion on the causes of high food prices in Canada, citing a Leger poll that points to global factors, grocery retailers, and federal policies as key contributors. The episode concludes with discussing HelloFresh's plummeting shares and the broader impacts on the meal kit industry.

https://askcaddle.com/the-food-professor-podcast/

https://www.theoutlawocean.com/

https://leger360.com/surveys/inflation-at-the-grocery-store/

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cookie Monster Hates Shrinkflation, Growing Global Obesity, and Global Hunger with guest Paul Hagerman, Canadian Foodgrains Bank

michael@meleblanc.co (Paul Hagerman) — Thu, 7 Mar 2024 08:05:00 +0000

In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, our special guest live from Winnipeg is Paul Hagerman from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, sharing insights from his extensive experience in agriculture and food security across various regions, including Canada, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

The episode covered a range of pressing topics, starting with the Bank of Canada's decision to pause interest rates again. It also addressed the escalating global health problem of obesity, now surpassing global hunger. A significant focus was placed on integrating AI in agriculture, probing its potential to enhance productivity. The conversation shifted to the notable departure of Oprah Winfrey from WeightWatchers, alongside her decision to donate her shares to the National Museum of African American History, which coincided with a decline in the company's stock value. This move came against the backdrop of WeightWatchers' acquisition of Sequence, a telehealth company, indicating a strategic shift for weight management.

The episode also highlighted the unfortunate destruction of the Covered Bridge Potato Chips factory in Hartland, New Brunswick, by fire, emphasizing its impact on local employment and tourism and the supportive response from government officials. Further discussions included the comparison of Canada's GDP productivity to the U.S., the portrayal of food costs and consumer behaviour through characters like Tony the Tiger and the Cookie Monster, and the looming disappearance of plastic bagged milk, reflecting on the evolving landscape of dairy and dairy substitute consumption and production practices.

About Paul

Paul Hagerman joined the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in 2007 and now oversees advocacy work on food security issues within the organization. Prior to his work with the Foodgrains Bank, Paul worked in agriculture for over 20 years in Canada, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. While most of this time was spent in agricultural extension, he has also been involved in agricultural education and research.

Paul has a Masters in Agriculture degree from the University of Guelph in combined agricultural pest management with rural planning and development. Paul is a member and music leader at Knox United Church in Winnipeg.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Let Them Eat Cake and Corn Flakes, Dynamic Dumpster Fire & Special Guest Colleen Martin, Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Colleen Martin) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode we welcome Colleen Martin, Chief Revenue Officer for Caddle, as a new regular contributor. Colleen brings a wealth of business acumen and insight, offering listeners custom research and industry perspectives. She will return as a regular feature guest with customers, never seen before research debuted on the pod in the coming weeks and months!

The episode dives into the contentious issue of dynamic pricing, spotlighting a controversial (but misunderstood?) statement from Wendy's president. Sylvain unravels the complexities of dynamic pricing strategies, questioning why such a standard business practice stirs significant public uproar.

Further stirring debate, the president of Kellogg's off-the-cuff suggestion for economic relief through cereal dinners sparks criticism. The hosts dissect the implications of such statements on consumer perceptions and brand image.

The conversation shifts to accolades and industry developments, highlighting H-E-B's triumph in Dunnhumby's Annual Retailer Preference Index report, asserting its dominance in the U.S. grocery sector with a unique blend of price, quality, and convenience.

In more sombre news, the episode covers the U.S. Justice Department's lawsuit to block the Kroger and Albertsons merger, emphasizing potential consumer and employee impacts. Additionally, the hosts tackle a concerning New York Times article on lead contamination in applesauce, exposing gaps in the food safety system.

Finally, big congrats to a friend of the pod, Aeryon Ashlie, on her nomination for the RBC Women of Influence Awards!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Let Them Eat Lobster (please), Grocery Shopper New Insights, and guest Ori Cohavi, Co-founder & CTO of Remilk

michael@meleblanc.co (Ori Cohavi) — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:05:00 +0000

In the latest episode of the Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, the show delves into the evolving landscape of the food industry, emphasizing innovative approaches to food production and consumption.

This episode features a special guest, Ori Cohavi, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Remilk from Israel, discussing the groundbreaking development of lab-grown milk recently approved for sale in Canada by the CFIA, marking a significant step in food technology.

The podcast also explores recent research conducted with Caddle, focusing on food discounting and rescue. Key findings include a 32% increase in average visit frequency since 2018, highlighting a shift towards more frequent shopping, potentially influenced by cash-flow shopping, deal hunting, and or the increase in remote work allowing for less batched shopping trips.

Further discussions touch upon the latest figures on food inflation, with Canada's food inflation rate at its lowest since October 2021, presenting a comparative analysis with other countries and highlighting the global perspective on food prices. The episode also humorously references Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, and his viral lobster-eating picture from his Malaysia promotional tour.

Lastly, Beyond Meat's latest product iteration aims to revitalize the brand with healthier options. This episode of the Food Professor Podcast presents a comprehensive overview of current trends and challenges in the food sector, blending expert insights with critical analysis of consumer behaviour, industry practices, and technological innovations.

About Ori

Dr. Ori Cohavi’s career has been shaped by a belief in the power of science to save lives, solve today’s most pressing challenges, and transform the world we share. Cohavi received his doctorate and PhD in biochemistry, with a focus on functional structure of proteins, from the world-renowned Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

Cohavi spent the early part of his career developing life-saving drugs for rare diseases before shifting focus to address one of our world’s most pressing and fundamental challenges: food security.

As Chief Technology Officer, Cohavi and fellow co-founder Aviv Wolff are reimagining the future of food and disrupting the 900+ billion-dollar dairy category. Remilk pioneered an environmentally friendly yeast-based fermentation process to produce animal-free milk proteins free of lactose, cholesterol and growth hormones. Cohavi heads Remilk’s R&D strategy and leads the a team of accomplished scientists and researchers. This team already has submitted several patent applications in connection with their work.

Prior to joining Remilk, Cohavi served as head of Mitoconix Bio’s drug development team, and as a senior researcher at Semorex Technologies.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Farmers Fight the Great Divides, Tim Horton's Scores in Seconds, and Free Trade(ish)

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 19:16:29 +0000

In the latest episode, we take a solo dive into a week filled with significant news and developments in the food industry, promising the return of guest interviews in the upcoming episode. The episode, presented by Caddle, encapsulates a variety of topics highlighting the dynamic nature of the food sector.

We begin with an insightful discussion on a survey about farmers' trust, revealing a concerning gap in confidence across generations. Sylvain expresses his trepidation upon reviewing the survey results, emphasizing the importance of understanding these generational differences. The conversation then shifts to legislative changes, specifically C-282, which aims to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Act to provide immunity to supply management during trade deals. This legislative development is currently on its second reading in the Senate, indicating significant implications for the food industry.

The hosts also discuss U.S. food inflation, which decreased to 2.6% in January, and ponder its implications for Canada.

Highlighting business success, Sylvain and Michael discuss Restaurant Brands International's remarkable improvement in Tim Horton's profitability, attributing part of this success to operational efficiencies like reducing drive-through times. Moreover, the episode covers MTY Food Group Inc.'s impressive financial performance despite a slight decline in same-store sales, reflecting consumer discretion in spending.

The episode also sheds light on the agricultural sector, particularly Ukraine's resilience in maintaining cargo volumes from its deep-water ports at two-thirds of their pre-invasion levels. This resilience is a testament to the country's agricultural robustness and strategic significance.

Lastly, the podcast pays tribute to Bob Moore of Bob's Red Mill, who recently passed away at 94. Moore's legacy of giving the business to his employees through an employee stock ownership plan is celebrated, highlighting his innovative and employee-focused approach to business.

About Us

He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.

Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.

About Michael

Michael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.

Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row.

Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Remarkable Retail , with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Testy Testifying, Groundbreaking Remilk Gets Approval, Athletic Brewing Swifty Superbowl and guest Doug Alexander, VP Sustainability and Government Relations, Belmont Food Group

michael@meleblanc.co (Doug Alexander) — Thu, 8 Feb 2024 08:05:00 +0000

This episode features Doug Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Government Relations at Belmont Food Group. Key topics include the intricate balance of environmental sustainability and food industry operations, explicitly addressing food waste and regulatory impacts. The conversation explores Belmont Food Group's initiatives for reducing carbon emissions and plastic use, emphasizing the need for industry-wide collaboration and innovation. The episode provides insights into how companies can navigate and contribute positively to environmental sustainability, highlighting the role of government relations and practical strategies for achieving these goals.

In the news, Sylvain was in Ottawa testifying to a testy parliamentary Ag committee, sweet news with the Rogers sugar strike ending on the West coast, Athletic Brewing dominating the fast-growing non-alcoholic beer category, and a salute to Celine Dion, Taylor Swift and some big event happening in Las Vegas that a bunch of people will watch on big screen TV and consume a record amount of chicken wings.

Thanks to our presenting sponsor Caddle, a leading Canadian consumer panel and research house, has become the exclusive presenting sponsor of the podcast. Caddle offers brands and retailers access to over 10,000 daily active users, facilitating rapid collection and syndication of consumer reviews. https://askcaddle.com/

About Doug
Doug Alexander joined Belmont Food Group as Vice President and General Manager- Leadbetter Foods, in early 2021 took on the role of Vice President Sustainability and Government Relations. Belmont Food Group . Belmont Food Group is a operating group within Premium Brands comprising of 6 independent operating food processing companies, Premium Brands is a leading specialty food manufacturing and differentiated food distribution businesses with operations across North America. Servicing over 22,000 customers, the company and its family of brands and businesses operate in 100 locations.

Doug’s experience running food processing operations spans over 37 years of Meat Processing and other food processing sectors. Recently served as Chair of the board of directors of the Agricultural Adaptation Council board and as director for 10 years, as well as and on boards of Food and Beverage Ontario board and the Meat and Poultry Ontario Board as well as the Innovation Advisory Council for the Canadian Food Innovation Network.

Doug has served in the past as Chair of the Agri-Food Management Institute, Chair of Food Starter and the board of directors for Provision Coalition Doug has diplomas in Food Science as well as Industrial Engineering.

Food In Canada article, whos who in Food, https://www.foodincanada.com/features/whos-who-2023-mentor-for-all/

Food and Beverage Ontario Board - https://foodandbeverageontario.ca/team/doug-alexander/

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Dialling for Discounters, Lessons from European Farmers & guest Top Food Industry Lawyer Glenford Jameson

michael@meleblanc.co (Glenford Jameson) — Thu, 1 Feb 2024 07:33:04 +0000

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast features special guest Glenford Jameson, an expert in regulatory, commercial, and advertising law within the food sector. Jameson's insights cover SFCA compliance, labeling, product positioning, and interactions with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The episode starts with an exciting announcement that Caddle, a leading Canadian consumer panel and research house, has become the exclusive presenting sponsor of the podcast. Caddle offers brands and retailers access to over 10,000 daily active users, facilitating rapid collection and syndication of consumer reviews. https://askcaddle.com/

The discussion then moves to current news, starting with Canadian Minister Champagne's efforts to attract foreign grocers to Canada, raising questions about whether this is political posturing or a genuine attempt to address food affordability. The hosts also covered the ongoing European farmers' protests, where farmers expressed discontent by blocking roads and dumping manure.

Next, we discuss Metro's latest quarterly results. Metro reported strong sales growth, with a notable increase in food and pharmacy same-store sales and the successful launch of a new distribution center. Despite these positive outcomes, net earnings showed a slight decrease.
The episode also touches on Bayer AG's (Monsanto) $2 billion fine. It provides an update on the surge in the use of weight-loss drugs, specifically referencing North Carolina's state employees' insurance plan's spending on such medications.

Finally, the podcast highlights Loblaw's charitable efforts, announcing a $1 million investment in community grants to support various organizations. These grants aim to empower historically underrepresented groups in Canada, including black women-led businesses, programs addressing gender-based violence, youth employment, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and 2SLGBTQIA+ community development.

Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, legal insights, and corporate initiatives in the food sector.

About Glenford
Specializing in regulatory, commercial, and advertising law, Glenford Jameson is a trusted legal advisor in the food sector. His expertise spans SFCA compliance, labeling, product positioning, and CFIA interactions. A recognized industry thought leader, he's lectured at notable universities, industry associations, and conferences on Canadian Food Law. Glenford's unique perspective at the crossroads of food, tech, and regulation empowers clients with innovative solutions. He's the founder of G.S. Jameson & Company, and his clients include multinationals, SMEs, NGOs, industry associations, and governments.

G. S. Jameson & Company: https://law.gsjameson.com
Canadian Association for Food Law and Policy: http://foodlaw.ca
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium: https://emccanada.org
Good Food Institute: https://gfi.org
European Food Law Association: https://www.efla-aeda.org

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Enjoy Today Discounts, B.C. Chicken Takes Flight, & The Art & Science of Innovation with guest Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO of Ontario Genomics

michael@meleblanc.co (Bettina Hamelin) — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 13:21:57 +0000

In this podcast episode, we had the honour of hosting Bettina Hamelin, the esteemed President and C.E.O. of Ontario Genomics. Based in Ontario, this non-profit organization is pioneering in genomics and engineering biology, aiming to revolutionize various sectors for economic growth, improved quality of life, and global leadership for Ontario. Sylvain expressed his admiration for the Ontario government's vision in establishing and supporting such an innovative entity and their success in attracting top-notch leadership talent like Bettina.

Moving onto other news, we discussed the recent policy reversal by Loblaw, lessons learned from it, and the fluctuating chicken prices in British Columbia. A significant development in environmental policy was also highlighted: Ottawa's consideration to require certain bakeries and restaurants using wood-fired ovens to report their air pollution emissions annually, a decision impacting Montreal's iconic bagels and pizzas.

We also delved into a concerning surge in crime in Waterloo, where unknown suspects stole a truck and trailer loaded with pistachios worth approximately $70,000.

Lastly, the podcast covered the uplifting news from Ottawa & Prince Edward Island, with the appointment of Mary Robinson to represent P.E.I. in Canada's Senate, signalling a bright future for the region's influence and representation, and great news for the Ag. sector.

Ontario Genomics Ag and Food page: https://www.ontariogenomics.ca/sectors/agriculture-food/

About Bettina

Bettina Hamelin, PharmD, EMBA is the President and CEO of Ontario Genomics, an Ontario-based not-for profit organization dedicated to catalyzing and supporting the development and commercialization of genomics- and engineering biology-based solutions across key sectors of the economy to drive economic growth, improved quality of life and global leadership for Ontario.

Dr. Hamelin has over 30 years of experience in academia, industry, and not-for-profit organizations. She has held positions of increasing responsibility in the biotech and pharma industries including leadership positions at BioChem Pharma (Associate Director, DMPK) and Pfizer (Head, Strategic Research Partnerships, Western Canada; Director Vaccines, Pfizer Canada; Medical Director, Pfizer Germany; Global Scout, Pfizer Inc.). Dr. Hamelin also has 10 years of academic research expertise as a tenured professor at Université Laval. Prior to her current role, she served as VP of NSERC’s Research Partnerships Directorate, where she was responsible for stimulating increased public/private sector collaboration and technology transfer by connecting the Canadian research enterprise to Canadian and global innovation partners.

Dr. Hamelin volunteers in the broader research and innovation community and serves on several advisory committees and the Boards of Directors of IRICoR and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) , and as a Mentor for the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL). Dr. Hamelin also chairs the National Engineering Biology Steering Committee and serves on Ontario’s COVID-19 Genomics Network Steering Committee.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Kingston Chinese Milk Plant exclusive, Celebrating Matty's Emmy & guest Alison Sunstrum, Visionary Ag VC

michael@meleblanc.co (Alison Sunstrum) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:54:51 +0000

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-sunstrum/In Season 4, Episode 16 of the Food Professor Podcast, we engage in a fascinating discussion with special guest Alison Sunstrum, a tech entrepreneur and investor. Sunstrom, recognized for her significant role in the Creative Destruction Lab in Calgary, is lauded for her community building and investment acumen, particularly in structuring the CDL. The episode also delves into recent experiences at a tech conference, highlighting innovations in restaurant technology, including a robot that makes French fries and advanced vending machine technologies.

LeBlanc shares his observations from the conference, noting the emergence of unique vending technologies and automated cooking solutions. The episode shifts to a discussion about the latest retail trends, with a particular focus on a Petco store in Union Square, Manhattan, which features a chef kitchen for dogs, offering custom food preparations.

The hosts then pivot to addressing critical supply chain issues, including the impact of disruptions at the Suez Canal and the broader implications for global logistics and food inflation. They critically examine government interventions in food pricing, particularly in France, and the ineffectiveness of such policies in controlling inflation.

Additionally, the podcast covers the acquisition of Carol Restaurants by RBI (Restaurant Brands International) and its implications for the fast-food industry. The conversation also touches upon the anticipated entry of new restaurant chains into Canada, highlighting the country's appeal as a test market due to its diverse population.

In a significant segment, Sylvain discusses his meeting with the management of Canada Royal Milk in Kingston, addressing various controversies and clarifying their operations and future plans. This includes their intentions to manufacture baby formula for the Canadian market and potential exports to the U.S.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the latest food industry news and a congratulatory note to Canadian chef and entrepreneur Matty Matheson for winning an Emmy for the show "The Bear."

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

2024 Food Industry Predictions, Relative Danger and our guest, Aeryon Ashlie, Founder and CEO of Aeryon Wellness Support Supplements

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:26:00 +0000

We're back after the break with a rousing discussion of what lies ahead for 2024, notable achievements, the relative state of food safety, and congratulations to several key food industry players for their accomplishments.

Our guest, Aeryon Ashlie, CEO and Founder of Aeryon Wellness Support Supplements tells us about her life of fitness and wellness and the impact of changes in the natural supplement aisle and shares tips on living a healthier and happier life.

About Aeryon

Aeryon Ashlie's remarkable journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to empowering women with holistic health choices. As the CEO and Founder of Aeryon Wellness Support Supplements, Aeryon leverages her vast 20+ years of experience in the Canadian Health Food Industry to support her mission. Her personal struggle with eating disorders for over 25 years serves as a poignant catalyst for her endeavors, fueling her desire to create a company that goes beyond merely providing supplements. Despite launching her brand only in 2019, Aeryon's deeply rooted connections in the industryhave facilitated an astounding growth rate of 500% year on year for her brand. Aeryon Wellness, under her stewardship, has become a sanctuary for women pursuing sustainable health and wellness. Aeryon's innovative approach to wellness and her passion for her mission caught the eye of CBC's Dragons Den in December 2021, leading to her walking away with three offers anda deal with Arlene Dickenson. Aeryon' s trailblazing efforts were further recognized at CHFA NOW West 2022 when AeryonWellness won the Innovative Product of the year award for the launch of Up and Away, Canada's first 100% Boric Acid Kit plus The Agent of Change award for their contributions to The Downtown Eastside Women’s Shelter. In May 2023, she triumphed at The Total Mom Pitch at the Canadian Women’s Entrepreneur Gala, securing 50k in prizes. Aeryon's exceptionalcontributions to the field also earned her nominations for CHFA Women of Influence and RBC’s Women of influence in September. Residing in Vancouver, BC, Aeryon balances her demanding professional life with her role as a full-time mother to her daughter, Mekaella, who is frequently seen accompanying her at tradeshows and events. Aeryon's passion for educating women serves as the cornerstone of Aeryon Wellness. The brand is more than just a supplier of wellness products; it is a platform for learning and empowerment. Aeryon takes this mission across the country through weekly seminars held in stores and at various events throughout Canada. These gatherings are more than just promotional events - they are educational forums where women can learn about health, wellness, and the importance of self-care in a supportive and encouraging environment. The seminars are yet another testament to Aeryon's commitment to spread awareness about sustainable health and help women take control of their well-being.

About Us

About Michael

Michael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.

Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Remarkable Retail , with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Special Encore Interview Episode: Guests Isaiah Robinson, Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, Stephanie Columbo, Canada Research Chair in Aquaculture, & Tim Kennedy, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

michael@meleblanc.co (Isaiah Robinson, Tim Kennedy, Stephanie Colombo) — Thu, 4 Jan 2024 20:15:47 +0000

On this special encore episode of the pod, we present an interview worth a second, or perhaps your first, listen. Let's hear as Sylvain introduces the topic and our guests for one of our favourite and most essential discussions from late spring 2023.

Isaiah, Stephanie, and Tim share their perspectives on salmon farming in British Columbia. Stephanie explains what aquaculture is and why it should matter to the listeners. Isaiah talks about the role of aquaculture in his community and local economy. Michael raises the controversy surrounding salmon farming, while Stephanie explores the scientific evidence regarding the impact of ending salmon farms on wild salmon. Sylvain addresses the opposition of First Nations in BC to salmon farming and discusses the federal government's commitment to transitioning the salmon sector. The conversation also touches upon new technologies for enhancing the sustainability of salmon farming. Isaiah discusses the willingness to adopt new technologies and the potential consequences of losing aquaculture.

Our guests:

Isaiah Robinson, Elected Councillor of Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation & General Manager of Kitasoo Development Corporation & Stephanie Columbo, Canada Research Chair in Aquaculture, & Tim Kennedy, President & CEO at Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

For More Information

www.lovesalmon.ca

www.aquaculture.ca

"Towards blue revolution" FAO 2022. https://www.fao.org/state-of-fisheries-aquaculture

"Towards achieving circularity and sustainability in feeds for farmed blue foods" Colombo et al 2022. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/raq.12766

"Exploratory analysis on Canadian consumer perceptions, habits, and opinions on salmon consumption and production in Canada" Osmond, Charlebois, Colombo, 2023. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10499-022-00972-x

"Extracted microbial oil from a novel Schizochytrium sp.(T18) as a sustainable high DHA source for Atlantic salmon feed: Impacts on growth and tissue lipids" Wei et al 2021. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0044848620339557

About Stefanie

Dr. Stefanie Colombo is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Aquaculture Nutrition. Her research focuses on understanding nutrition in farmed fish, to improve aquaculture sustainability and productivity. She has published over 60 scientific papers and 5 book chapters. She has been an invited keynote speaker at several national and international conferences. She has received the Dalhousie’s President’s Research Excellence Award for an Emerging Investigator and the Faculty of Agriculture’s Early Career Research Excellence Award, as well as Innovator of the Year by the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia.

About Tim

Timothy Kennedy began his work leading the national association for Canada’s seafood farming sector in April 2017 as President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA). He’s passionate about the future and potential of sustainable seafood farming for Canada and the world. Tim has worked for over 20 years in Ottawa with experiences as a political and policy advisor, a senior government relations consultant working with leading clients in the natural resources and sustainability sectors, and as a Vice President for a major North American energy company.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Special Encore Interview Episode: Special Guest Sam Zien, aka "Sam The Cooking Guy"

michael@meleblanc.co (sam zien) — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 08:05:00 +0000

On this special encore episode of the pod, we present an interview worth a second, or perhaps your first, listen. Our special guest, who lives in San Diego, California, via Vancouver & Toronto, is Sam Zien, aka Sam the Cooking Guy, who shares his remarkable and inspiring journey to over 3.6 Million subscribers on YouTube, three restaurants and six cookbooks and a great line of merchandise now It is a generous interview. Sam has a lot of insight from his rich life as a food entrepreneur and popular food media personality.

You can visit Sam at
https://www.youtube.com/@samthecookingguy

About Sam
Sam the Cooking Guy is an everyday guy – me (I have 15 Emmys… just thought I would drop that one in) – who has found a way to make cooking casually understandable. With no fancy equipment and by speaking English instead of ‘chef-speak,’ I’m sort of the everyman of cooking. I have two shows, the TV show SAM THE COOKING GUY airs on YUR VIEW with COX, and my online show, STCGO. Both are shot right in my house – and I cook with my kids, dogs – just like we all do. There’s no fois gras… no white truffle oil, no ‘Peruvian mountain-raised squab in sesame-lime-soy marinade stuffed with braised forest turnips and wild enoki mushrooms in a hand pressed plum and raspberry glaze’. I’m just a regular guy, using regular words showing how to cook easy, great food… Food that’s ‘big in taste and small in effort’. It’s a handful of ingredients and a few steps – that’s it. This is a cooking show “for the rest of us,” I like to say.

“For too long now TV chefs have tried to ‘impress’ with their food & style. But a ton of ingredients and a ton of steps just winds up with people saying they can’t cook. And it’s not that they can’t cook – it’s that they don’t because they think it’s too hard. So isn’t it time someone made cooking easy?”
— Sam

About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian's Food Priorities, Food Fights in Parliament, and guest Kristina Farrell, CEO, Food and Beverage Canada - Aliments et boissons Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristina Farrel) — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:18:38 +0000

In the final live episode of The Food Professor podcast for 2023, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discussed various Canadian food and beverage industry topics. While the interview with our guest Kristina Farrell, CEO of Food and Beverage Canada, was a significant part of the episode, the hosts delved into various other vital issues.

A key topic of discussion was Canadians' New Year's food resolutions. The hosts noted a trend towards healthier eating and more home cooking, possibly influenced by recent economic challenges. They questioned whether this trend might lead to reduced patronage of restaurants, reflecting on potential impacts on the restaurant industry.

LeBlanc and Charlebois also discussed labour shortages in the food industry, particularly manufacturing. They touched on how companies, especially smaller ones, are grappling with balancing investment in technology with managing rising costs due to inflation. The conversation highlighted the industry's need for innovation to remain competitive and sustainable.

Another significant point of discussion was the evolving landscape of alcohol sales in Ontario, notably the plan to allow beer and wine sales in convenience stores. The hosts speculated on the implications of this change, including potential challenges such as increased insurance costs for retailers and the impact on consumer habits and the recycling system.

The dialogue also covered broader industry trends and challenges, including the importance of sustainability and the need for the food sector to adapt to changing consumer preferences and government policies. The hosts expressed concerns about possible isolation due to increased home consumption and the importance of social interaction in dining experiences.

In their reflections on the year, LeBlanc and Charlebois discussed the top stories and issues in the food industry, ranging from labour disruptions and supply chain challenges to policy developments affecting the sector. They concluded with positive remarks on the growth and potential of the food industry, looking forward to future developments in 2024.

Overall, the episode offered a comprehensive overview of the Canadian food and beverage industry, with insightful discussions on the sector's challenges and opportunities, policy impacts, and consumer trends.

FBC’s website: FBC – Advocating for food and beverage manufacturing businesses located in urban and rural communities across Canada. (fbc-abc.com)

FBC’s 2024 pre-budget submission: FBC-ABC.2024.Prebudget.Submission.Final_.pdf

FBC’s submission to the Pollution Prevention Planning Notice for primary food plastic packaging: FBC-ABC.P2Notice.Submission.30Aug2023.pdf

FBC on Twitter and LinkedIn (I would like to think I know all of these off the top of my head, but again – team of 1.2):

Twitter: @FoodBevCanada

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Me on Twitter and LinkedIn:

Twitter: @krisprou

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-farrell-proulx-b09ba549

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

(More) Death by Cantaloupe, McDonald's Cos-play, Fast Food Crime & Punishment, and guest Pierre Petelle, President & CEO, CropLife Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Pierre Petelle) — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:05:00 +0000

In this podcast episode, our special guest, Pierre Petelle, the President and CEO of CropLife Canada, discusses the organization's role and impact in the agricultural industry. CropLife represents companies that produce vital seed technologies and crop protection products in agriculture and public health. Pierre emphasized the evolution of these products, highlighting gene editing as a significant advancement that allows for more precise and affordable crop modifications. He also pointed out the organization's efforts to make science relatable to the public, stressing the importance of these technologies in preventing food waste, improving food affordability, and contributing to carbon sequestration. To help the public understand farming challenges and innovations, CropLife created "Real Farm Lives," a series that showcases Canadian farming families and their commitment to the land. Pierre encouraged an open-minded approach to agricultural technology, advocating for its role as a solution to many pressing environmental and economic issues.

In the news, we talk about how Canada's Food Price Report for 2024 "landed," delving into the ethics and economics within the food industry and debating the implications of regulatory measures and the grocery code of conduct. The conversation then shifts to food safety and recalls, touching on the Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes and the complexities of mitigating risks within the food supply chain. They discuss how regulation and consumer behaviour intersect, with Sylvain advocating for better risk communication and Michael highlighting the need for innovative solutions like vertical farming.

Additionally, we explore McDonald's new strategy with their new CosMc's concept, aimed at capturing a younger demographic and filling a gap in the mid-afternoon snack segment. Lastly, we touch upon a unique legal case where a woman was given the option to work in fast food as a sentence for assault, reflecting on the creative approach to justice.

Overall, the podcast covers the intricate balance between industry practices, consumer expectations, and regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethical conduct in addressing the food industry's challenges.

Graveyard image Photo by Matthias Müllner on Unsplash

About Pierre

Innovation in agriculture is helping Canadian farmers become more productive and sustainable than ever before. As president and CEO of CropLife Canada, my mission is to support our members and advocate for political and regulatory frameworks that continue to enable cutting edge agricultural technologies to come to market in Canada.

I am responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of our organization. As an industry we are often faced with misinformation about agricultural technologies like pesticides and plant breeding innovations such as GMOs. I strongly believe in our role, working in partnership with the broader agricultural industry, in telling the positive story of modern agriculture. I am also a firm believer in the power of collaboration when it comes to advancing the common interests of the agriculture industry, which is why we work closely with our partners in the GrowCanada partnership.

I’m energised about the future of Canadian agriculture because over the last few decades we’ve experienced dramatic change, fueled in large part by technological advancements. While farmers are facing some enormous challenges in their efforts to grow food for the world, I’m optimistic that the ingenuity of farmers and the innovation in the plant science industry will make for a bright future for agriculture and food production.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Bon Cop, Bad Cop28, Inside Canada's Food Price Report '24, guest Alex Green, Chief Experience Officer, Longo's

michael@meleblanc.co (Alexander Green, Alex Green) — Thu, 7 Dec 2023 08:05:02 +0000

Our special guest on this episode is Alex Green, Chief Experience and Marketing Officer, Longo's, recorded live in person at the Coffee Association of Canada's conference in Toronto. Alex shares the rich history of Longo's brand and the customer-focused strategies they embrace to win in a hyper-competitive Southern Ontario grocery market.

In the news, get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Canada's just-released Food Price Report 2024, the foremost report on the future of food pricing in Canada. We also talk about the good and bad news coming out of COP28, Empire/Sobey's CEO Michael Medline's testimony in Ottawa and what that may or may not have accomplished, changes to Kraft's Mac & Cheese, for good or ill, Cheerios packaging fiasco, and the exorcism of ghost kitchens.

Click here for Canada's Food Price Report 2024

About Alex

I believe in remarkable people and their ideas and I’m on a mission to unleash this potential to allow individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive in an ever-changing world.

As a seasoned executive, I am at my best when leading teams and brands through transformative change that’s grounded in insight. I unlock new value through aligning company, product, service and brand design which is magnified with powerful, fully integrated go-to-market strategies and backed by empowered and motivated teams. I have particularly deep expertise as a Brand and Marketing leader that embraces the exponential value of different versus the incremental value of better. In addition to traditional and digital performance marketing skillsets, I am well-grounded in data & analytics, loyalty program design & CRM, as well as digital product, UX and e-commerce management. These strategic capabilities are paired with a strong optimism bias, resilient mindset and change management and executive coaching certifications. All in support of getting the right ideas to market to navigate disruptive environments and deliver business results.

At Longo’s, I am loving being at the forefront of a full retail transformation that touches all aspects of our Guest and Team Member experience. It’s strategic yet hands-on with a highly entrepreneurial team in a fast-paced and rapidly changing industry. We are testing, learning and improving every day.

In support of great ideas everywhere, I recently established RMRKBL, a free presentation training field guide and toolkit designed to help people better express their ideas, so they can get on with changing the world. You can check it out at rmrkbl.ca.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Deadly Balls of Poison, Weight Watchers Got It Wrong, The Death of Irony, Remembering George Cohon and guest Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Kelly Higginson) — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:05:00 +0000

Our special guest is Kelly Higginson, President & CEO of Restaurants Canada, and we dive into the challenges faced by the foodservice industry post-COVID, the role of technology, tipping and the road ahead for a $100Billion industry in Canada where now more than 50 percent of restaurants and foodservice businesses operating at a loss or barely breaking even.

In the news, Sylvain presents a new report from the Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Changing Traditions: The Impact of Rising Food Prices on Holiday Meals, and we talk about the cost of a traditional holiday dinner, including egg nog and options for Canadians who are food insecure.

We talk about the state of the The Beer Store in Ontario raising questions about the future of beer regulations and the iconic empties return system. Irony reigns as environmentalists jet to Dubai for COP28. A cantaloupe recall sparks a discussion on its reputation and the shortcomings of Canada's dangerous food alert system. We reflect on the legacy of George Cohon, whose forays into "Burger Diplomacy" in Russia for McDonald's lay in tatters under Putin's rule. Still, his legacy and spirit of generosity shine through Ronald McDonald House. We wrap with the startling twist of strategy with WeightWatchers CEO's surprising shift into buying a company that can prescribe weight loss drugs.

About Kelly

Kelly Higginson took on the role of President and CEO of Restaurants Canada after serving the organization as Chief Operating Officer since 2022. Prior to this, she served as the Executive Vice President of Operations at The CFW Group, leading operational strategy for North American hospitality brands like ki modern japanese + bar, The Shore Club and Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House. During her time with The CFW Group, Higginson had first-hand experience navigating copious challenges as she worked to further the development and retention of employees through the global pandemic.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Senate Fiddles while Farmers Burn, China Seafood Slave Plants Hit Home, plastic a go-go & guest Vanessa Toperczer, Senior Vice President, IMI International

michael@meleblanc.co (Vanessa Toperczer) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode, we're joined by Vanessa Toperczer, Senior Vice President of IMI International, recorded at the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference in Toronto. We discuss the importance of brand and brand leadership, plus research insights to fuel profit and growth.

Michael talks about his time on the Canadian Grocer Magazine Connex stage, interviewing grocery leaders in Canada. Shout-out to Jamie Nelson, COO of Pattison Food Group, and Susan Niczowski of Summer Fresh Salads as this year's Golden Pencil award winners.

We delve into the latest industry news, covering everything from the plastics debate coming out of the Federal Court judgement ruling against the Federal Government and Sobeys' price freeze to the impact of the C-234 protest in the Senate. We talk about the shocking revelations about forced labour in China's seafood supply chain and the immediate ripple effect on Canadian companies like High Liner.

About Vanessa

As an insight-driven leader, Vanessa is laser-focused on motivating marketers and the C-suite to make strong, fact-based decisions that accelerate their business and maximize ROI.

Fueled by intention and curiosity, she has cultivated a 360-degree skill set in the marketing world encompassing Agency, Brand, Not-for-Profit, Social Enterprise and Consumer Insights. Her considerable expertise reaches across brand transformation and optimization, growth strategy development, communications strategy and articulation, product and innovation development, partnership and sponsorship strategy, and team leadership and empowerment.

Vanessa is inspired to help others discover a universe of possibilities beyond their own vantage point and empower them to focus on what is truly essential. This passion energizes her work with clients, as a sought-after speaker at events and conferences, and on board and committee roles she holds across multiple organizations.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Loblaw Gets Small, Metro Goes Big, Beer Retail Gets Frothey & guest Rick Brown, President of Foodservice at Circana

michael@meleblanc.co (Rick Brown) — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:11:42 +0000

Our guest on this episode, recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference in Toronto, is Rick Brown, President of Foodservice at Circana, Canada.

We start with news of worsening food insecurity in Canada, as reported by Statistics Canada in their recent report. Next, we take a virtual tour inside Metro's new high-tech billion-dollar distribution centre in Quebec before Sylvain's in-person visit later this year. We also discuss Metro's recent financial results where, despite labour issues, they report an increase in food same-store sales. Loblaw then takes the spotlight, focusing on its growth in same-store grocery sales and a remarkable 13% surge in e-commerce sales. We then celebrate Loblaw's new small supplier program and its potential positive impact on the industry, and then discuss their position on the Code of Conduct. We also explore possible changes to Ontario beer retailing.

About Rick

Rick leads Circana’s Canadian Foodservice, Fashion and Prestige Beauty commercial businesses. With a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Toronto and rigorous training in attitude measurement, statistics and research design, Rick offers Circana’s clients customized solutions to help drive business strategies, identify new opportunities, and help better understand consumer behavior. Prior to joining Circana (formerly The NPD Group), Rick worked at the business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan and at the University of Florida on their Attitudes and Persuasion research team. Rick has over 20 years of market research experience, is a published author and a dynamic public speaker who works closely with the major Canadian Foodservice, Fashion and Beauty operators, manufacturers, retailers.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Restaurant Reconning & Renaissance, guest Lisa Richardson, EVP & COO of Canterbury Coffee

michael@meleblanc.co (Lisa Richardson) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:05:00 +0000

This episode, released one day later than usual, was recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference in Toronto. Our special guest, Lisa Richardson, EVP & COO at Canterbury Coffee, joins us to shed light on their deep expertise in coffee sourcing, roasting, food service and more, which sets them apart in a crowded market. Lisa discusses how Canterbury Coffee adapts to a changing landscape, addresses customer shifts, and focuses on adding value and differentiation in a crowded marketplace, and what makes the "routinely exceptional."

In the news, we touch on consumer perceptions of restaurants in the latest research from the Dalhousie Agri-Food Analytics Lab on the Canadian perception of restaurants, the latest on Bill C-234 and the carbon tax carve-out for Canadian farmers, recent investigative reports on China's vast ocean fishing fleets and the abuse of workers on them, and we talk about the great diversity of flavours and locations across the nation featured in Air Canada's en Route magazine feature on the top 10 new restaurants in Canada.

About Lisa

A passionate, resourceful and innovative Sales Leader with a strong business acumen and progressive sales management, marketing and operations management experience. An authentic, agile and collaborative coach and mentor with a proven track record of translating business goals into workable action plans and building/motivating high performing sales organizations that deliver profitable growth. With over 30 years in the Foodservice industry, offers extensive knowledge of the dynamic industry and both the Operator and Distributor network. Respected as a trusted and effective advocate, advisor & achiever of sustainable results.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Beef with the Bank, Farewell to a Poutine Legend, and guest Gordon Bacon, CEO Emeritus at Pulse Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Gordon Bacon) — Thu, 2 Nov 2023 09:55:56 +0000

Our guest is Gordon Bacon, the CEO Emeritus at Pulse Canada. With over 20 years of leadership in the agricultural sector, advocating for farmers and producers, Gordon has a wealth of wisdom and insights to share. We'll dive into his journey, advocacy for the agricultural sector, and the importance of pulse crops in the industry. Stay tuned for valuable advice for aspiring leaders in agriculture and personal lessons learned from Gordon's time as CEO of Pulse Canada, shaping his approach to leadership and advocacy in the agricultural world. Take advantage of this enlightening conversation with a true industry expert.

In the news: the carbon tax and the BOC's recent statements, CDC's decision on milk prices, and the age-old question, is food recession-proof? Plus, farewell to The founder of Smokes Poutine, Ryan Smokily, who left us this week.

Reminder to join us at the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference in Toronto on November 9th for a day of networking, trends, insights, and data.

About Gordon

Gordon Bacon was the founding CEO of Pulse Canada and served in this position from 1997 to 2021. He was also CEO of the Canadian Special Crops Association, the Canadian trade association for companies involved in trading peas, lentils, beans and chickpeas. He now works as a consultant on projects related to food and environmental sustainability.

Gordon was an executive member of the Global Pulse Confederation and played a key role in having the United Nations declare 2016 as "International Year of Pulses".

Prior to his market development work in the wheat and pulse sectors, Gordon served as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture in Ottawa and has been a farm owner and operator in Saskatchewan.

In 2012 Gordon was presented with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2021 The Canadian Western Agribition recognized him as one of the top 50 most influential people in Canadian agriculture. In November of 2021 Gordon was inducted into the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Blue Economy, TrickFlation, Canada in a Pickle, and Guest Grocery Legend B.K. Sethi

michael@meleblanc.co (B.K. Sethi) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:59:30 +0000

Welcome to the latest episode of The Food Professor podcast! In this episode, we've got an exceptional treat for you. Recorded live at SIAL 2023, our guest is none other than the game-changing innovator B.K. Sethi, whose impact on Canadian food stores is nothing short of revolutionary.

Before we dive into this exclusive conversation, a quick reminder: mark your calendars for the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference on November 9th in Toronto. It's a day filled with networking, trends, insights, and data, and you can grab your tickets via the link in our show notes. Michael has some exciting news: he'll be moderating a panel of grocery industry leaders, including the CEOs and Presidents of Walmart Canada, Longo's, and Save-On-Foods, at the Canadian Grocer's GroceryConnex event on November 20th. Take advantage of these fantastic events!

Now, onto the latest food industry news:

We've got insights from a new report on seafood consumption conducted by researchers Dr. Stefanie Colombo and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois in partnership with Angus Reid. Discover the fascinating purchasing habits of Canadians when it comes to fish and seafood. From British Columbia topping the charts to surprising preferences and consumption patterns, it's a deep dive into Canadian seafood choices.
Grocers are back in the spotlight as an agricultural committee summons them to the principal's office. We'll explore the implications of Ottawa's scrutiny and how it's affecting the grocery industry.
The St. Lawrence Seaway strike raises questions about its importance and the demands of the 300 people involved. Is it worth it, and what could it mean for the food supply chain?
We'll also discuss the latest findings from Restaurants Canada, shedding light on the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the restaurant industry.
Sadly, there's some pickle news, with Canadian company Whyte's Foods filing for bankruptcy. Remember those Strub's garlic kosher pickles? We certainly do.
As Halloween approaches, be prepared for "trickflation." Find out why some candies are shrinking in size just in time for the spooky season.
And, we pay tribute to George Sukornyk, the co-founder of Harvey's hamburger chain, whose legacy lives on in the Canadian fast-food scene.

You won't want to miss this episode with all this on the menu. Stay tuned for a captivating discussion with B.K. Sethi is the man who transformed Canadian food stores and stayed informed about the latest developments in the world of food.

About B.K.

With over 46 years of practical experience in selling and marketing, coupled with my education in Marketing, I have enjoyed my career. I have been working with multinational CPG companies as well my Ethnic Food Importers, distributors and marketers becoming Canada’s largest Authentic Ethnic Multicultural Food distributor (1982-2012). Currently working as a Marketing Consultant specializing in the growing Ethnic Market and providing strategic direction, planning, execution, promotional guidance, distribution selection and training.

https://www.amazon.ca/Meet-BK-Ethnic-Food-Aisle/dp/1738978206/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BEVULUQ3HH9A&keywords=Meet+BK+in+the+Ethnic+Food+Aisle%3A+A+Memoir+of+the+Man+Who+Changed+Canadian+Food+Stores+Forever&qid=1698265823&sprefix=meet+bk+in+the+ethnic+food+aisle+a+memoir+of+the+man+who+changed+canadian+food+stores+forever+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cannabis 5 Years Later, The Less-Than Mighty Mississippi, Feeding Canadians is a SNAP and Special Guest Chef Ricardo

michael@meleblanc.co (Ricardo) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:04:52 +0000

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting a true Canadian icon, Ricardo – a renowned chef, author, television personality, and entrepreneur. Notably, he's a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Ordre national du Québec for his contributions to the nation. Even after selling his business to Sobeys in 2021, Ricardo continues to be a media and food powerhouse, producing content at a prodigious level.

In the news, we discuss the mighty Mississippi Waterway, the impacts on this climate change transportation corridor, and its North American food cost implications. We explore pressing topics like the Dairy Farmers' recent decisions to hold back on recommending a rate increase for 2024 and the fifth anniversary of cannabis legalization from both positive and negative angles. We unpack what a SNAP program is and how it could help feed Canadians that need help. Lastly, Michael visits Harlem and Red Rooster restaurant.

Be sure to check out the Coffee Association of Canada's annual conference, and stop by and say hi to Sylvain and Michael in their pop-up podcast studio!

About Ricardo

Chef, author, television personality, entrepreneur: Ricardo is all that. Recognized throughout Canada, he represents a brand that embodies a contemporary vision of family life. His mission? To inspire, educate and bring people together to cook and eat together.

His company offers a multiplatform culinary experience to Canadians. Among its main achievements:

a magazine read by over 650,000 people every issue
ricardocuisine.com, the reference among Canadian cooking websites, with 7,000 recipes and 4.4 million monthly visitors
Over 1.2 million fans on social media
a television show on ICI Radio-Canada Télé for the past 21 years and a number of other productions presented here and abroad
13 books in French and 6 books in English, all bestsellers
three boutiques and three restaurants in Saint-Lambert, Quebec City and Laval
an online boutique offering the entire range of RICARDO products
a RICARDO ready-to-eat counter at the Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec City
a collection of cooking accessories available in 600 outlets across Canada
a range of over 100 RICARDO food products available exclusively at IGA, including some now sold in Sobeys stores in Ontario

Trained at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ), Ricardo continued his studies with a degree in broadcasting from Ottawa’s Algonquin College before embarking on his well-known career as a communicator.

Over the last several years, Ricardo was appointed to the Order of Canada and the Ordre national du Québec, thanks to his efforts to make the culinary arts accessible to all and for his involvement in various social causes. In 2017, he received an honorary degree from the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec for his career achievements. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate in nutrition by Université Laval along with his wife Brigitte for their contributions to culinary issues and nutrition in Quebec.

A man of compassion, Ricardo has been the spokesperson for over 15 years for La Tablée des Chefs, an organization whose mission is to feed people in need and to develop culinary education for youth. His commitment and devotion to young people has been rewarded with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Lastly, along with architect Pierre Thibault and triathlete Pierre Lavoie, Ricardo is one of the founding members of Lab-École, a non-profit organization that aims to bring together multidisciplinary expertise to design the environment of tomorrow’s schools.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Sound of One Hand Clapping, Dairy Drama & Special Guest Kirstin Beardsley, CEO at Food Banks Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Kirstin Beardsley) — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:19:11 +0000

Our exceptional guest on this episode is Kirstin Beardsley, CEO at Food Banks Canada, who discusses food insecurity in Canada and the great work done by food banks across Canada to help bridge the gap for an increasingly large and changing nature of the population.

Sylvain and I discuss the horror and murder in Israel and the impacts on food or commodity prices. We talk about Sylvain's upcoming testimony in Ottawa (well, in Halifax, really), for the 18th time in his career with the Department of Finance, pre-budget consultations, the Federal government's Thanksgiving press conference and their own response, or lack thereof, to food affordability in Canada. We also highlight the significance of addressing sales taxes on various food products and tackling the issue of "shrink-inflation." The episode also delves into the triggering of the "exceptional circumstance mechanism" by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers as they try to prevent an increase in dairy prices and the relative cost delta between Canada and the U.S. in the industrial cost of dairy. Lastly, we talk about the short and long-run issues of significant weight loss in society thanks to semaglutide injections, also known as Wegovy or Ozempic and Sylvain's 8th book, out this week, "La part du gâteau" i.e. Our piece of the pie: today's food geopolitics."

About Kristin

Kirstin Beardsley stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada on February 1, 2022. Prior to leading the network of over 4,700 food banks and community agencies, Kirstin was Food Banks Canada’s bilingual Chief Network Services Officer and was responsible for leading transformational change in the food banking system in Canada. With a strong and deep understanding of food insecurity in Canada, and of the work of the food banking network, Kirstin has provided leadership to the organization’s strategic plans and task forces over the past 8 years. In her role as Chief Network Services Officer, Kirstin led robust new system wide approaches to learning, government relations, advocacy, research, national funds distribution and a range of programs supporting the ten provincial organizations to improve the effectiveness of local food banks.

Kirstin is from Ottawa, Ontario but now calls Toronto home. During her time away from work, Kirstin enjoys spending time with her family. Kirstin is passionate about working towards the Food Banks Canada vision of a Canada where no one goes hungry and is just as passionate about the incredible people in food banking who are making a difference every day in the lives of so many.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Manitoba's Opportunity, Canadians Shift Their Grocery Habits (again), and Special Guest Marie-Eve Fournier, La Presse

michael@meleblanc.co (Marie-Eve Fournier) — Thu, 5 Oct 2023 07:12:27 +0000

In this episode, we are joined by the esteemed journalist Marie-Eve Fournier, known for her work with prominent Canadian publications like Lesaffaires, Rue Frontenac, Le Journal de Montréal, and Radio-Canada before joining La Presse in 2013. Marie-Eve has received several awards, including the prestigious Judith-Jasmin and Kenneth R. Wilson prizes.

The conversation starts with a congratulatory note to premier-elect Wab Kinew, who made history by becoming Manitoba's first First Nations premier. The discussion touches on the challenges and opportunities in Manitoba's political landscape and seeks advice for the incoming Premier.

We delve into the hot topic of the carbon tax, highlighting a viral post by @PierrePoilievre, discussing whether retweets imply agreement and the workings of the independent crown corporation, BOC.

Shifting gears, we explore the latest research from the Lab, revealing that a significant percentage of Canadians have altered their grocery shopping habits and become more price-conscious.

The conversation moves to international relations as we discuss India's reduced imports of Canadian lentils and the potential fallout on Canada's agricultural sector.

Switching to economic matters, we touch on California's new $20/hour minimum wage, contrasting it with the national average for fast-food workers and highlighting its significance for the livelihoods of many Californians and the implications of adopting technology in the fast-food sector across North America.

The episode wraps up with an intriguing question: Are humans inherently inclined towards vegetarianism? A new study on vegetarian genetics sparks curiosity and sets the stage for future discussions.

About Marie-Eve

With degrees in business management (HEC Montréal), journalism (Université Laval), public relations (Université de Montréal) as well as Arts and media technologies (Cégep de Jonquière), Marie-Eve Fournier writes for the French daily newspaper La Presse, in Québec, since 2013. She also completed the Canadian Securities Course. Today, as a columnist, she focusses on personal finance and consumer trends but never miss a good food story as she is passionate about the topic. Previously, she specialized in retail and the food industry topics for more than 15 years. Marie-Eve also worked for Les Affaires, Rue Frontenac, Le Journal de Montréal and Radio-Canada. Her honors include a Judith-Jasmin Award and a Kenneth R. Wilson Award.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Ottawa Cost of Living Summit: The Sequel, Gotta Be KD Cancelling Restaurant Reservations, and Ag Tech Entrepreneur Gregg Curwin, President & CEO at Novagevity

michael@meleblanc.co (Gregg Curwin) — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the Food Professor Podcast, Season 4, Episode 2!

Our exceptional guest is Gregg Curwin, the President & CEO at Novagevity and their Sperri brand. He's an Ag Tech entrepreneur with a 20-year history of breakthrough thinking, and he's currently focused on the intersection of health, technology, and agriculture.

We dive right into the discussion:

1. Food Affordability Meetings with Minister Champagne: Michael brings up the recent meetings, likening them to the second Ghost Busters film—similar script, less excitement, and some notable absences. We discuss notable manufacturer absences and insights into what we can expect in the coming weeks. Will there be any discounts on turkey and pumpkins for Halloween? Shrinkflation labels on shelves?

2. Bank of Canada's Carbon Tax Inflation Model: Michael inquires about the Bank of Canada sending Sylvain some work on how they arrived at 0.15% inflation for the carbon tax. The Professor gives it a D+

3. Stats Canada's Population Report: The discussion then shifts to Stats Canada's latest report on the population, with a surprising focus on temporary foreign workers. Sylvain shares the statistics, highlighting the significant increase in workers with permits. The conversation delves into the implications of this trend on the Canadian population and economy.

4. Food Insecurity in Canada: Michael brings up a concerning report from Food Banks Canada, revealing that nearly 7 million Canadians are struggling to put food on the table.
5. KD's Refresh and "Cancel Coverage": Shifting gears, the hosts discuss Kraft Dinner's (KD) refresh in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) world. They also introduced a unique initiative, "Cancel Coverage," to cover restaurant reservation cancellation fees so you can stay home and eat KD!

About Gregg

Gregg Curwin has an extensive background in commercializing high-value Ag Tech and health care
applications. Many of his companies have been operating for nearly 20 years and have become the go-to source for customers in their respective markets. Gregg is often called upon to speak on business design, the future of farming, food security and sustainable business practices.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Behind the Scenes of the Ottawa Grocery Meetings, Ag Trade with India, and The Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:12:45 +0000

For our season debut episode, we decided to catch up on the top issues brewing over the summer, with kids back in school and plenty of topics to discuss. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne meetings with the big five in Ottawa certainly caught our attention. Sylvain was there and shed some light on how the meeting came about and the objectives and deliverables coming out of those meetings.

Food inflation has been a hot topic, easing at 6.8%. How is Sylvain thinking about food inflation for the rest of the year and prospects for 2024?

The Bank of Canada claims that 0.15% of inflation is due to the carbon tax.

Let's zoom out and discuss the state of the food and packaged goods industry in Canada. We've seen a frozen pizza brand exit earlier this year; another brand is also pulling out. What's driving these departures?

On a different note, how important is India to the Ag sector in Canada?

Turning our attention to international matters, there's an update on the war in Ukraine, with Zelensky visiting New York and Ottawa.

We're also saddened to hear about Oylmel shutting down more processing plants, leaving 400 people looking for work. We talk about the industry's future, especially with 40,000 open positions in manufacturing in Canada. It's time to invest in technology rather than relying solely on foreign temp workers.

Moving on to the restaurant industry, Restaurants Canada is raising alarms about government funding extensions falling short, especially with the stats showing that people are eating out less. It's a double-edged sword.

And finally, we'll wrap up by discussing the fantastic world of Portuguese sardines. There's exciting news about a second store location opening in Times Square.

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions and updates on the Food Professor Podcast. Thanks for joining us today!

Coffee Association of Canada conference

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Get Ready for Season Four of The Food Professor Podcast!

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Get ready for another blockbuster season of Canada's top food industry and Canadian-produced management podcast, The Food Professor! I'm Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and author of eight books.

And I'm Michael LeBlanc, senior retail advisor, keynote speaker, producer, and host of a series of retail industry trade podcasts, including this one.

Each week, we'll serve up and curate the top topics in the food, restaurant and grocery industry and go behind the headline, around the social media nonsense and counter the spin to talk about the real story important to the food industry and Canadians.

There has never been a more critical time to understand the food and restaurant industry dynamics. You might hear or see me on media for sound bites on the vital stories - in The Food Professor podcast, with the help of guests you want to hear from, we'll dig deeper to understand the depth of perspectives you need to hear.

So us join weekly on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen to your podcasts today. New episodes every Thursday, and we can't wait to have you join us.'

We're looking forward to another great season - don't miss a single episode!

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: Isabelle Marquis, Senior Food Strategist & Linda Fox, Regional Innovation Director, Canadian Food Innovation Network

michael@meleblanc.co (Isabelle Marquis) — Thu, 7 Sep 2023 09:16:52 +0000

Welcome to a special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor podcast recorded live in our on-site podcasting studio at the SIAL Food Innovation show in Toronto. Over three great days in May, Sylvain and I met dozens of food innovators and thought leaders; these are their stories. We're sure you will enjoy hearing these incredible interviews as much as we enjoy hosting the conversations. Stay tuned for season four of The Food Professor podcast, Canada's top food industry and Canadian-produced independent management podcasts, when we return live on the mic Thursday, September 21st

On this episode meet Isabelle Marquis, Senior food strategist & Sustainable Development expert and Linda Fox, Regional Innovation Director (Ontario), Canadian Food Innovation Network

If you like what you heard, please follow us on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform so that you can catch up with all our great interviews, including celebrity chef, restauranteur and entrepreneur Chuck Hughes from Montreal.

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Isabelle

A nutrition, food marketing and communications professional with over 20 years of experience, Isabelle Marquis has a unique multidisciplinary know-how acquired both in consulting agencies and in food processing companies. Recognized for her great rigor, her contagious passion and her strategic creativity, Isabelle is also an outstanding communicator who knows how to inspire as well as mobilize.

As Director of Marketing, Mass Distribution and HRI at Groupe Première Moisson Inc. she was responsible for numerous innovation projects and product launches, in addition to actively contributing to business development in the Canadian and American markets. Today, Ms. Marquis is a freelance consultant who assists companies of all sizes in the Quebec and Canadian food sector with their communication, marketing and innovation strategies. Innovation Ambassador for SIAL Canada since 2018, she also collaborates with specialized magazines and on the show L’épicerie on Ici Radio-Canada Télé.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: Birendra "Jopy" Perera, Marketing Director at Mlesna Ceylon & Gail Gastelu, Owner, Publisher at The Tea House Times

michael@meleblanc.co (Gail Gastelu) — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode meet Birendra "Jopy" Perera, Marketing Director at Mlesna Ceylon Ltd & Gail Gastelu, Owner, Publisher at The Tea House Times

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Birendra

As a director of Mlesna Group, Birendra leads the marketing and export of tea; actively participates in the procurement of tea at public auctions; procures unique flavours and ingredients; and expertly carries out daily tea tasting and blending activities ensuring all Mlesna products match their tagline, “Naturally the best!” since 1983; a family tradition of producing specialized tea products for connoisseurs the world over.

Sharing his expertise of tea and international marketing within niche markets, Birendra has worked with major universities; is a regular presenter at the Mel’s Tea Academy of Sri Lanka; and works closely with the Colombo Tea Traders Association and the Sri Lanka Tea Board on promotion, authenticity and the global marketing of Pure Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka.

About Gail

Always looking for that next great opportunity to advance everyone in the tea industry and also working with members of my family on businesses they own. We are entrepreneurs at heart and want to help you succeed! If I can dream it up, it will happen. ~ If you dream it up, ask me to help.

Yes, my "experience" list is accurate with dates. It looks like a lot at once, but I am holding down several roles and positions in the tea industry through several companies I personally own and manage; at the same time advising or leading in other businesses with similar marketing and promotional goals which are also owned by family members. True, I am a workaholic! It's all good!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggastelu/

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: Silvio Serrano, House of Exte

michael@meleblanc.co (Silvio Serrano) — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode meet Silvio Serrano, House of Exte

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: Deolinda Silva, Executive Director at PortugalFoods

michael@meleblanc.co (Deolinda Silva) — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:02:08 +0000

On this episode meet Deolinda Silva, Executive Director at PortugalFoods

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: Santiago Espinosa, CEO Todos Comemos & Retail Guru Carl Boutet

michael@meleblanc.co (Santiago Espinosa, Carl Boutet) — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 14:49:57 +0000

On this episode meet Santiago Espinosa, CEO Todos Comemos & Retail Guru Carl Boutet

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Santiago

Jesus follower, happily married, Dad and entrepreneur. Building TodosComemos to transform the food industry in LATAM taking it from 1 to 1000 in the premade food spectrum.

Formerly Co-founder & CEO of enlau.co now Ubanku, Delirato, El Cotero. M.A, B.A. Economist.

Check out the amazing chocolate covered raspberry: https://www.franui.store/en/

About Carl

As the founder and chief strategist of Studio Rx, I deliver prescriptive retail experience strategies that combine art and science, design, data, and technology with purpose.

I have over 25 years of experience in advising senior retail leaders and brands on how to build better business strategies that leverage their combined choices of technology, analytics, and design.

I also work with companies that wish to best tailor their solutions to address the needs that matter most to retailers.

I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and insights on retail innovation, marketing, and global trends as an educator, speaker, and author. I teach master's level courses on innovative retail technologies and business models at McGill University and the Asian Institute of Technology. I am also a frequent contributor to media outlets, and the author of The Great Acceleration: The Race to Retail Resilience.

My work has been recognized by Rethink Retail and numerous global events as one of the most influential and impactful retail thinkers in the world.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: U-Luv Cookies Founder Debbie Tartarini

michael@meleblanc.co (Debbie Tartarini) — Thu, 3 Aug 2023 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode meet U-Luv Cookies Founder Debbie Tartarini

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About U-Luv Cookies

At U-LUV foods, we are passionate about providing high-quality snacks that are not only delicious but also allergen-free and made with clean ingredients. Our journey began with a personal experience when one of our founders, our Dad, was diagnosed with stomach cancer and had to undergo surgery to have his stomach removed. Through his journey, he found healing in his faith and the power of clean eating.

As a family, we recognized the need for better-tasting snacks that catered to those with dietary restrictions, and that's when Mom set out to develop snacks that were both delicious and safe for everyone to consume. Dad was the first to taste the cookies she made and was thrilled to find that they were not only clean and allergen-free but also tasted better than traditional snacks.

That's how U-LUV foods was born.Our mission is to provide worry-free snacks to people with dietary restrictions and allergies, and to help find cures for food allergies through our charitable efforts. We understand the challenges that come with finding tasty snacks that meet dietary requirements, and we want to make it easier for everyone to enjoy delicious snacks without worry.

We invite you to become a part of our U-LUV foods family through compassionate sharing.When you purchase our multi-pack cookies, you can gift a free sample pack of cookies to someone you choose, spreading the love of U-LUV foods. We also donate a portion of the sale to finding cures for food allergies, so every purchase helps to make a difference.

Thank you for choosing U-LUV foods as your go-to snack provider, and we hope to continue to serve you and your loved ones with delicious, safe, and worry-free snacks.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE live from SIAL 2023: ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

michael@meleblanc.co (Gregor Postl, Julia Goeschelbauer) — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 07:09:55 +0000

On this episode meet Gregor Postl, Head of Advantage Austria, Toronto and Julia Goeschelbauer, Head of Export Marketing, AMA-Marketing

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Advantage Austria

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is Austria’s official trade promotion organisation. With more than 110 offices in over 70 countries, we provide a broad range of intelligence and business development services for both Austrian companies and their international business partners. We work with passion to generate more international business opportunities by promoting the products and services of Austrian businesses around the world, by helping companies and organisations outside Austria to build strong relationships with Austrian companies, and by fostering the exchange of the worlds and Austria’s best minds and innovations.

In Canada, we are in Toronto, and we also have an office in Montreal as well as a consultant in Vancouver. On our official website, www.advantageaustria.org/ca, we offer information about all sectors of Austrian economy, as well as events with Austrian participation.

Please reach out to our team - anytime - to discuss opportunities and find synergies, toronto@advantageaustria.org or connect with us on LinkedIn @Advantage Austria Canada

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Website: www.advantageaustria.org/ca

Get in touch: toronto@advantageaustria.org, +1 416 967 3348

Follow us on Social Media:

LinkedIn:
- Advantage Austria Canada (https://www.linkedin.com/company/advantageaustria-ca)
- Advantage Austria (https://www.linkedin.com/company/advantageaustria)
Twitter: twitter.com/austria_in_ca
Facebook: fb.com/advantageautriaCA

***

About AMA

Agrarmarkt Austria Marketing (AMA), established in 1995, is responsible for agricultural marketing on behalf of Austrian farmers.

AMA stands for:

Certified quality
Promotion of agricultural marketing

In order to support exporters, AMA acts as an organizer in coordinating participation in important international food fairs and offers information for the international food industry. Furthermore, AMA provides contacts to Austrian suppliers and, if necessary, supports advertising. AMA has initiated a number of marketing activities, such as tasting sessions, training courses and in-store activation.

Website: www.ama.global

***

About Europe Home of Cheese

"Europe Home of Cheese” is a multi-country programme together with France, aimed at promoting European cheeses on the Canadian market.

The initiative will contribute to reinforce the European origin as the undisputed reference in the cheese category, thanks to considerable product advantages: quality, authenticity, tradition, terroir, etc., and to defend the European origin as the

one of the most qualitative and sustainable origin. With the EU funded campaign, Europe Home of Cheese, AMA participates in international trade shows such as SIAL Canada to showcase the taste and high quality of the products and connect to relevant sellers and importers. Trade professionals and prescribers in the targeted markets will be directly reached through events, PR activities, and digital activation, while local foodies will have opportunities to discover European cheeses during consumer events and tasting days in stores.

***

Austria Producers at SIAL 2023

Meet the Austrian Producers at @SIA2024, May 15-17 2024, Montreal:

https://www.advantageaustria.org/ca/news/SIAL_2023_-_Meet_the_Austrian_Producers.pdf

***

Upcoming event: MARKETPLACE AUSTRIA FOR FOOD & BEVERAGES

Marketplace Austria for food & beverages is the (yearly) exclusive opportunity for food and drink buyers to meet suppliers and producers in Vienna and to get a taste of Austria.

Reach out to our team for more information via toronto@advantageaustria.org

When & where: October 4, 2023, Vienna

Registration is open until Sept. 30.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE LIVE FROM SIAL 2023: Gurth Pretty, Master of Cheeses

michael@meleblanc.co (Gurth M. Pretty) — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 08:12:56 +0000

On this episode meet Gurth Pretty, Cheese Professional, owner, Lakeview Cheese Galore in Mississauga.

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Gurth

Gurth M. Pretty is a passionate Canadian cheese professional.

He is a member of the Toronto Cheese Education Guild Class of 2006, the first class of cheese professionals.

Gurth’s knowledge of cheese was developed during his research for his first book, The Definitive Guide to Canadian Artisanal and Fine Cheese (Whitecap Books 2006), soon followed by The Definitive Canadian Wine and Cheese Cookbook (Whitecap Books 2007), co-authored with writer and wine judge Tony Aspler.

Canadian cheese received more international attention when he was asked to contribute to The World Book of Cheese (DK Books 2009). The book includes his entries on 24 Canadian cheeses.

He has participated as a judge in the following competitions

* Canadian Cheese Grand Prix 2009, 2011 and 2013
* American Cheese Society competitions in 2011, 2018 and 2019.
* Judge at the 2016 and 2018 Canadian Cheese Awards and
* the 2016 and 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.
His involvement in the Canadian cheese industry has included the following positions

* Treasurer of the Toronto Cheese Guild
* Board member of the Ontario Cheese Society, and
* President of the Canadian Cheese Society.

In 2018, Gurth was recognized for his efforts by being invited to become a member of La Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, an international association of professional cheesemakers, ripeners, dairy processors and cheese makers. It has over 6,000 members in 33 countries.

From 2011 to 2019, Gurth was the corporate cheese expert and senior specialist – deli cheese, for the Marketplace division of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest food retailer.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE LIVE FROM SIAL 2023: Tracy Bell, Co-founder + CEO, Millennia Tea

michael@meleblanc.co (Tracey Bell) — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:50:56 +0000

On this episode meet Tracy Bell, Co-founder + CEO Millennia Tea, **Gold Innovation Award - SIAL 2023**

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Tracey

I care so much about honest connection and the stories that can change lives. Always have.

It started for me as a journalist, when I broke local stories that became national headlines. Then as the head of public affairs for an emergency medical services organization where a bystander CPR program we created legitimately helped save lives and went on to win national and international awards for public service and community relations.

Today I'm the co-founder of Millennia TEA - a company I created with my husband after a health scare helped us understand first hand the powerful impact the tea plant can have on promoting wellness and preventing/reversing illness. A deep dive into tea taught us those incredible health properties are highest when the tea leaves are "fresh-picked" vs. dried & cooked like conventional dried teas. So we went looking for someone who could sell us "Fresh Tea," as you would when the science says it is multiples better than the dried stuff. But no one could - and that wasn't ok for our family - so we created a new category of tea: Frozen Edible TEA. Farmer direct, organic, hand-picked in the mountains in central Sri Lanka tea leaves - picked at their prime and washed and flash-frozen within hours.

It's a big job, asking consumers to imagine the most consumed beverage in the world after water in a way they've never considered before (i.e. Fresh-frozen vs. dried).. but the science is compelling - that sharing the mighty tea plant in its purest and most naturally-powerful format has the potential to positively impact peoples' health in ways they can see and FEEL. That's the work I want to do and represents the positive impact we want to have in the world.

I'm passionate about functional nutrition and the actions we can take - individually and collectively - to help people Live Better Longer in a way that is sustainable and benefits everyone along the supply chain.

I'd love to connect with you here, or at tracy.bell@millenniatea.com or 1-506-866-0049.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BONUS EPISODE: Richard Dillon, CEO of Ivy Farm Technologies Cultivated Meat, Fresh From Toronto's Collision Conference

michael@meleblanc.co (Richard Dillon) — Thu, 6 Jul 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor podcast. I'm sure you will enjoy hearing these incredible interviews as much as we enjoy hosting the conversations. Stay tuned for season four of The Food Professor podcast, Canada's top food industry and Canadian-produced independent management podcasts, when we return live on the mic Thursday, September 21st

On this episode, meet Richard Dillon, CEO of Ivy Farm Technologies in Oxford, England. Richard joins me on the mic fresh off a visit to Toronto and the big Collision tech conference. We explore their approach to cultivated beef, the opportunities and the challenges ahead, and how their best move might be outside England and the EU.

I'm Sylvain Charlebois, The Food Professor, author of eight books and Senior Director Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.

And I'm Michael LeBlanc, consumer retail growth consultant, keynote speaker, and producer and host of a series of retail trade podcasts, including this one. You can learn more about me on LinkedIn.

Have a safe summer, everyone.

About Richard

Rich Dillon is the CEO of leading cultivated meat company Ivy Farm, a disruptive food-tech start-up on a mission to create the best guilt-free, real meat, to tackle one of the world’s biggest climate polluters - industrial agriculture - and to help the world reach its net zero goals.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Parliament's Grocery List, Interactive ShrinkFlation, and guest Felix Cheung, Founder and CEO of IXON Food Technology

michael@meleblanc.co (Felix Cheung) — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 07:40:56 +0000

In this episode, Felix Cheung, the founder of IXON Food Technology, joins us from Hong Kong to discuss his revolutionary sous-vide aseptic packaging (ASAP) technology. Cheung's interest in food technology stemmed from a passion for food and technology. He explained that the inspiration behind starting IXON Food Technology was to develop ASAP technology, which enhances sous-vide cooking.

Sous-vide cooking involves vacuum-sealing food and cooking it at precise temperatures. The ASAP technology takes it further by allowing the meat to stay safe at room temperature for up to two years. Cheung shared insights into how the technology works and its implications for food safety and preservation. Cheung envisions ASAP technology as a transformative force in the future of food preservation and distribution. The ability to extend shelf life and maintain food safety at room temperature can revolutionize the industry.

In the news, we discuss the House of Commons Agriculture report on the grocery industry and food inflation, what's coming from the Competition Bureau, Loblaw checking receipts, a new Shrinkflation database by the CBC…( https://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/2023/reduflation/base-donnees-produits-aliments-epicerie-formats-taxes/) and a new food fraud report from the CFIA

CFIA collected 844 targeted samples to detect specific types of misrepresentation. The following percentages of analyzed samples were found to be satisfactory:

fish 92.7%

honey 77.5%

meat 99.1%

olive oil 86.9%

other expensive oils 64.3%

spices 90.8%

Lastly, we talk about the new RBC report that says high food prices are here to stay because of climate change and labour shortages…really…what about innovation?

Lobster Photo by Daniel Norris on Unsplash

About Felix

Felix Cheung is the founder and CEO of IXON, a Hong Kong-based company specializing in food preservation. He and his classmate-turned-business partner Elton Ho invented a technology called advanced sous-vide aseptic packaging (ASAP), which enables the storage of fresh meat and seafood at room temperature for up to two years. Felix has a doctorate degree in plasma physics from University of Sydney and a master degree in food analysis and food safety management at Hong Kong Baptist University. He has formerly worked as a science editor at Nature magazine for seven years.

For more information regarding IXON, please visit https://www.ixon.com.hk

For more information on how ASAP works, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3loU3YPViM

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Local Food Paradox, Taxing Joy and Guest Chuck Hughes, Celebrity Chef, Restauranteur, Entrepreneur

michael@meleblanc.co (Chuck Hughes) — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:53:10 +0000

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Food Professor" podcast! In today's interview, we have the pleasure of hosting the renowned chef and entertainer Chuck Hughes, who shares his insights on various aspects of his career and the restaurant, food entertainment and product retail industry.

Chuck begins by introducing himself and discussing his background as a chef. The conversation then delves into the impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant business.

We then shift the conversation toward celebrity chefs' rise and influence on consumer expectations. Chuck reflects on the evolving landscape of cooking shows and its impact on the perception of chefs as creative professionals. The hosts also explore the challenges of attracting talent to the restaurant industry, drawing on Chuck's experience finding the right people for his team.

Moving forward, Chuck shares his journey in developing consumables and branded product lines at Hudson's Bay. He reveals the surprises and lessons he learned as a vendor in the retail industry and provides insights into what lies ahead for his product line.

Before concluding the interview, Chuck offers advice for aspiring chefs and emphasizes two important actions to take and one to avoid. He then reflects on his past experiences and contemplates what he might have done differently given the knowledge he possesses today.

To wrap up, the hosts inquire about Chuck's plans and what exciting endeavours he has in store. This fascinating conversation provides listeners with a comprehensive view of Chuck Hughes' multifaceted career and offers valuable insights into the ever-evolving culinary world.

In the news, we look at the latest study from Sylvain and his co-authors, The Local Food Paradox: A Second Study of Local Food Affordability in Canada, and discuss the surprising results. Sylvain's spidey senses are tingling, and we talk about Danone's boss's calls for higher taxes on unhealthy food (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65872962) and the merits of government intervention on subjectively (or objectively) harmful food products.

Join me in donating to the Nova Scotia Canadian Red Cross forest fire relief fund here.

About Chuck

Chuck is the co-owner and executive chef of Montreal hot-spot Garde Manger. He is also the talented star of such shows as Chuck’s Day Off, Chuck’s Week Off, Chuck’s Eat the Street and Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip. His unbridled passion for entertaining translates into both memorable food and captivating television.

After going to culinary school and working in some of Montreal’s best restaurants, he partnered with his two best friends and opened Garde Manger to rave reviews and packed seating. Since 2010, Chuck and the team at Crown Salts cater the VIP Artist World at Osheaga, Montreal’s renowned 3- day music and arts festival. Every year Chuck and his team create an unforgettable dining experience for the over 100 appearing bands at the festival.

Some of the other highlights of Chuck’s celebrity cooking career include becoming the youngest Canadian chef to win on Iron Chef America; starring with nine other celebrity chefs on The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs; joining an all-star panel of judges on Chopped Canada and starring in five Quebec series À couteaux tirés, La

Relève, Le monde selon Chuck, L’atelier culinaire, and Bienvenue chez Chuck. He also produced two best- selling cookbooks for Harper Collins Canada, “Garde Manger” and “Chuck’s Day Off.” In 2015, he launched a line of highly anticipated food products. My Kitchen Staples are delicious essential items such as olive oils, vinegars, cocktail sauce, maple syrup and antipastos that Chuck uses in both his restaurants and at home. My Kitchen Staples are currently available in stores across Canada. Go to www.chuckhughes.ca to find the nearest one.

Most recently Chuck launched a cookware line exclusively with The Bay, available in stores now.

Chuck is currently in production of his fourth season of Chuck and the First People’s Kitchen on APTN and working on his third cookbook for fall 2023.

Website: www.chuckhughes.ca,

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChefChuckHughes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chefchuckhughes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefchuckhughes/

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

BOC Rate Hike Implications, Baby Formula Fiasco and guest Sheena Russell, CEO, Made with Local

michael@meleblanc.co (Sheena Russell) — Thu, 8 Jun 2023 09:57:38 +0000

Our guest on this episode is Sheena Russell, founder and CEO, Made with Local - and she is raising the bar on sustainable snacking! Sheena is based in Halifax and joins us to share the origin story of her tasty and healthy product, how she built a brand and achieved distribution across Canada and the path to success in a crowded category.

In other news, we look at the implications of the Bank of Canada's rate increase, review the ongoing baby formula shortage (again), recent positive results for the Canadian restaurant industry, the surprising future for Rubbermaid, and the blue wonder of World Ocean Day.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Inflation Government Meddling & Aquaculture Controversy in BC with Guests Isaiah Robinson, Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation, Stephanie Columbo, Canada Research Chair in Aquaculture, & Tim Kennedy, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

michael@meleblanc.co (Tim Kennedy, Stephanie Colombo, Isaiah Robinson) — Thu, 1 Jun 2023 09:29:28 +0000

In this podcast interview, the discussion revolves around aquaculture and its significance. Isaiah, Stephanie, and Tim share their perspectives on various aspects of salmon farming in British Columbia. Stephanie explains what aquaculture is and why it should matter to the listeners. Isaiah talks about the role of aquaculture in his community and local economy. Michael raises the controversy surrounding salmon farming, while Stephanie explores the scientific evidence regarding the impact of ending salmon farms on wild salmon. Sylvain addresses the opposition of First Nations in BC to salmon farming and discusses the federal government's commitment to transitioning the salmon sector. The conversation also touches upon new technologies for enhancing the sustainability of salmon farming. Isaiah discusses the willingness to adopt new technologies and the potential consequences of losing aquaculture.

Our guests:

Isaiah Robinson, Elected Councillor of Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation & General Manager of Kitasoo Development Corporation & Stephanie Columbo, Canada Research Chair in Aquaculture, & Tim Kennedy, President & CEO at Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

For More Information

www.lovesalmon.ca

www.aquaculture.ca

"Towards blue revolution" FAO 2022. https://www.fao.org/state-of-fisheries-aquaculture

"Towards achieving circularity and sustainability in feeds for farmed blue foods" Colombo et al 2022. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/raq.12766

"Exploratory analysis on Canadian consumer perceptions, habits, and opinions on salmon consumption and production in Canada" Osmond, Charlebois, Colombo, 2023. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10499-022-00972-x

"Extracted microbial oil from a novel Schizochytrium sp.(T18) as a sustainable high DHA source for Atlantic salmon feed: Impacts on growth and tissue lipids" Wei et al 2021. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0044848620339557

Image: Spirit Bear Lodge

In the news, we look at the British Government's attempt to control food prices, the Canadian Federal Government's July Grocery rebate going out to Canadians and its impact on food inflation and food affordability, online grocery, home delivery and France's Best Baguette Competition.

About Stefanie

About Tim

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

AI & Food, Soulless QR Codes & Spice Queen Shivani Dhamija, Shivani's Kitchen

michael@meleblanc.co (Shivani Dhamija) — Thu, 25 May 2023 07:06:55 +0000

Join us on this captivating episode as we delve into the inspiring journey of Shivani's Kitchen, a thriving Indian cuisine business in Nova Scotia. Discover Shivani Dhamija's motivations, their secret to preserving authenticity while based in Canada, overcoming challenges faced during growth, and fascinating anecdotes of product development.

In the news, we look at consumer perceptions around AI & food with research from our friends at Caddle, the state of Farmer's Markets and if there is an opportunity to rebrand them, as well as the impending death of the QR code in restaurants, and a Nigerian chef that pulls a long record shift, not unlike a Canadian chef doing dinner service Saturday night through Sunday brunch and a fight over Taco Tuesday!

Note: all images, except Shivani, were created by https://openai.com/product/dall-e-2

About Shivani

I am Shivani founder of Shivani’s Kitchen Ltd., female-owned and led food processing company located in Nova Scotia, Canada. We make it easy for consumers to experience the bold, authentic flavors of India. We create authentic Indian spice blends and ready-to-use sauces to satisfy food cravings and cooking experiences.

I recently won
(IWEN)Entrepreneur of the year 2020 by ISANS
DEAM award by Team Works.
sobeys local award of Innovation 2020
CBDC Business distinction award 2021
Most Inspiring Immigrant Award Atlantic Canada 2022

I moved to Nova Scotia in 2011 to be with her partner Abhishek Asthana. Started from meal delivering services to cooking classes and by understanding our customers, and sensing a need we launched our Spice Blends in 2016. We initially started with our Garam Masala Spice Blend in hexagonal bottles with self-printed labels.

Going wholesale and being able to bring the authentic experience of Indian flavors to more people had been Shivani's focus for a while. Shivani's Kitchen Spices launched on the shelves of Pete's Frootique & Fine Foods in 2016, and launched on the shelves of Sobeys in 2019!

And today we supply our spices and sauces to superstore, sobeys and sysco.
Please connect with us if you would like to have our products on the shelves of your stores.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cold War II & Ag Trade, BBQ Season Trends, and Guest Vince Sgabellone, Foodservice Industry Analyst, Circana

michael@meleblanc.co (Vince Sgabellone) — Thu, 18 May 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Our guest on this episode, recorded live at the Toronto SIAL food innovation conference, is Vince Sgabellone, Foodservice Industry Analyst at Circana. Vince emphasizes the resilience and adaptability of the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting how quickly businesses reinvented themselves by offering off-premises services and embracing digital engagement. We also discuss the challenges restaurants face in dealing with higher costs and labour shortages and the need for automation and streamlined operations. Looking to the future, they highlight the importance of engaging with the younger generation, who are digitally savvy and have diverse culinary preferences. The guest concludes by mentioning the growing interest of retail companies in the food service industry, given its significant share of consumer spending.

In food industry-related news, we discuss "Cold War II" and food geopolitics, focusing on China and Canadian agriculture. Next, we talk about the story behind Tyson Foods' financial loss in the last quarter, with $13.1 billion worth of sales resulting in a loss of $0.28 per share. As the Victoria Day weekend approaches, the podcast dives into the start of BBQ season, what to expect, and what the significant trends are on the grill. The episode concludes by congratulating Kelly Higginson on her new and improved gig as the new President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. Having previously served as the organization's Chief Operating Officer, Higginson's appointment brings anticipation for success and stability, aiming for a longer tenure than her predecessors.

Tune in to The Food Professor podcast to explore the world of food innovation, industry news, and expert interviews.

Lobster trap Photo by John McArthur on Unsplash

About Vince

Food has always been in my blood. My passion for food started in my Mom’s Italian kitchen where she shared with me her love of cooking. All of our family photos from my childhood seemed to have food in them, so I guess we were instagramming long before that was a thing. To this day, I still enjoy cooking alongside my Mom and I’m still learning. But I still haven’t figured out how to master her infamous meatball recipe.

Fast forward to the start of my food career where I found myself supplying professional kitchens, learning the business side of food from some of the finest chefs and restaurateurs in Ottawa. As my career progressed, I was able to expand my horizons beyond my Italian roots to include an understanding of cuisines from around the world. My passion for the business was a valuable asset as I worked hard to help my clients achieve their goals.

Today, as a Director, Client Development and Foodservice Industry Analyst at The NPD Group, I use data and consumer behaviour analytics to help some of the industry’s best known global food brands solve problems and identify growth opportunities. I take pride knowing that my passion for food, combined with my experience, allow me to deliver insights that will help you to make better business decisions.

I am available to serve as a media source on topics of food and beverage consumption, and their impact on the foodservice industry. My comments and analysis have appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, The CBC, and other national media outlets. I also appear as a featured speaker at industry events and corporate conferences.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Gene Splicing Policy, Backyard Chickens, and our Guest Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food André Lamontagne

michael@meleblanc.co (André Lamontagne) — Thu, 11 May 2023 07:15:03 +0000

Live from the tradeshow floor of the SIAL food innovation show in Toronto. Our exceptional guest is Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food André Lamontagne, who pays us a visit to our bespoke podcasting studio in Toronto. We talk with the Minister about food innovation in the Province and the government's best role in moving the industry forward for the people and hand out magic wands to discover the art of the possible.

In food news, we talk about the wisdom and regulation of Gene editing with Crisper, backyard chickens and the avian flu, AI's bright outlook until it maybe kills us all, and the somewhat surprising resilience of restaurant home delivery post-pandemic.

Backyard chicken Photo by amy lynn grover on Unsplash

About Minister Lamontagne

Born in Saint-Félicien in 1960, André Lamontagne earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Université Laval. He has also completed training in counselling, psychotherapy and transactional analysis at the Eastwind Institute in Halifax. He holds a master’s degree in educational psychology and human relations from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, and also has a commercial helicopter pilot license.

Before going into politics, Mr. Lamontagne had a career in business. He owned three supermarkets, co-owned a network of 20 travel agencies across multiple regions of Quebec, served as president and co-owner of a management consulting firm, and owned a company specializing in helicopter purchase, reconditioning, resale and rental. He has also worked as a consultant and coach for executive clients, primarily in the business community. Over the years, he has been an investor and director at many technology companies in the manufacturing, e-commerce and industrial sectors.

In 2014, Mr. Lamontagne made the switch to politics when he was elected MNA for the electoral district of Johnson under the banner of Coalition Avenir Québec. He continued in this role when he was reelected in 2018. After his reelection, the Premier appointed him Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region. He was reconducted Minister in 2022.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Lab Grown Dairy Heads to Israel, Milk Chasing the Stanley Cup, and our guest Dickson Delorme aka Quick Dick McDick

michael@meleblanc.co (Dickson, Quick Dick McDick) — Thu, 4 May 2023 09:24:57 +0000

In this episode, we have a fast-moving and fascinating interview with the one and only Dickson Delorme, also known as Quick Dick McDick, a farmer from Saskatchewan with a popular YouTube channel with over 12 million views and over one hundred thousand subscribers.

We talk to Dickson about his farming experience, the challenges he has faced, and the lessons he has learned. We also discuss the impact of technology on farming and the future of innovation in the industry. Dickson shares how he balances humour, politics, and education on his YouTube channel and advises those interested in starting a successful channel in the agriculture or food industry. The hosts also touch on current news, including the resolution of the PSAC strike, Remilk's product approval in Israel, the potential payoff from Dairy Farmers of Canada's sponsorship of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the fight over squeeze bottle Spanish olive oil and somewhat mysterious changing consumer spending habits.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Politics & Protein, F-Oatly, and Plant-Based Consumers with Colleen Martin, CRO at Caddle

michael@meleblanc.co (Colleen Martin) — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor podcast Season Three, episode 22, with your host Michael LeBlanc coming to you from Barcelona, where he’s attending the World Retail Congress. Michael is joined by Sylvain and special guest Colleen Martin, Chief Revenue Officer at Caddle, who is here to discuss a custom study commissioned by the lab, which is all about plant-based foods and beverages and the latest consumer insights.

In this episode, Michael and Sylvain bring you the latest news from the agri-food industry, including the PSAC strike and its implications, food inflation numbers for March, and an article in the New Republic that explores the lobbying battle between big ag and lab-grown meat.

Later, the focus shifts to plant-based foods and beverages, and Colleen shares some valuable insights from the custom study commissioned by the lab. We discuss the rising popularity of plant-based options, the factors driving consumer preferences, and how brands can appeal to this growing market.

Before wrapping up, Michael reminds listeners that The Food Professor podcast will be at the SIAL food innovation show in Toronto from May 9-11th as the official podcast of the event. So, be sure to stop by their podcast studio and say hi!

And finally, they end the episode by discussing the new Oatly website, which chronicles every bad thing that has ever been said about them and plant-based beverages. It’s an exciting approach to transparency and shows how brands adapt to consumer demands for ethical and sustainable products.

Don’t miss this exciting episode of The Food Professor podcast.

About Colleen

Colleen Martin is the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Caddle and is passionate about customer-centric retail, marketing strategies, and omnichannel retail technology. Colleen has been working in the Retail industry for close to 25 years with a proven track record in growing businesses by providing strategic direction and leadership to merchandising and marketing teams. You can connect on LinkedIn or at colleen.martin@caddle.ca.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cloned China Cows, Texas Dairy Goes Boom and Canada's High-Holiday

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:28:20 +0000

On our first solo episode of the season, Sylvain and I are together live in person for a wide-ranging conversation, starting with China cloning super dairy cows to 18,000 dairy cows perishing at South Fork Dairy in Texas and celebrating cannabis 4-20.

China claims they have cloned super cows, and we talk about Olymel's plant closure and what it means to the people in Quebec and Canada's hog industry. The Competition Bureau has published its Annual Plan, so we discuss the merits of their work; April 22 is Earth Day. Should we still care about that one day? Mcdonald's is updating their Big Mac, and this week is 4-20, a high holiday amongst the cannabis community - we talk about Sylvain's assessment of the industry from an agriculture crop perspective. Lastly, we celebrate Sylvain's new media gig with Quebec and probably Canada's, most watch morning show, TVA's Salut, Bonjour.

A reminder that we'll be in person together again pretty soon at the SIAL food innovation show in Toronto, May 9-11th. We're the show's official podcast, so be sure and stop by the fishbowl and say hi!

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

AI Inflation Cookbook, Bottom Feeders & Katie Hotze, CEO of Grocery Shopii

michael@meleblanc.co (Katie H. Hotze) — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode, we chat with the dynamic Katie Hotze, CEO of Grocery Shopii, a Top 10 Women in Grocery Tech, with her grocery industry eCommerce application solving a $550B problem in the CPG & Retail industry by reducing cart abandonment with machine learning.

In the news, the Inflation Cookbook: Canada’s first-ever AI-powered meal-planning tool designed to help Canadians source affordable and nutritious food items and maximize their weekly grocery budgets. The tool tracks the top ten food items trending upwards and downwards in price each week and uses the power of AI to curate seven healthy recipes that consumers can create using the best-priced items from that week.

Next, we talk about a new report that is a collaboration with RBC, BCG Centre for Canada’s Future and Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph that finds by 2033, 40% of Canadian farm operators will retire, placing agriculture on the cusp of one of the most significant labour and leadership transitions in the country’s history. We also talk about the lobster industry in Canada and lobster politics, the Blue Jays home opener with hopefully new food offerings - Rogers Centre ranks 25th in MLB as the best place to have food, and the most reputable companies in Canada, by Leger: Shoppers, Costco and Dollorama make the Top 10.

About Katie

Named a Top 10 Women in Grocery Tech by RIS, Katie Hotze is an innovative leader and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in digital marketing, data analytics and business strategy.

Katie is the founder and CEO of Grocery Shopii, a Charlotte-based startup that solves a $550B problem in the CPG & Retail industry by reducing cart abandonment with machine learning. Grocery Shopii uses recipes as a recommendation engine to expedite online grocery shopping inside the shopping journey.

Prior to Grocery Shopii, Katie spent 20 years in management and technology consulting where she led global marketing teams for Mercer, the world’s largest HR consultancy, and BearingPoint.

She holds an M.B.A. and Business Analytics certification from William & Mary, and a B.S. in Marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In 2018, Katie was a Direct Marketing News (DMN) 40-Under-40 Award Recipient. She’s also been awarded the Top Women in Grocery honor by Progressive Grocer. Today, she is a regular speaker on both digital and social media topics at conferences in the marketing and grocery retail spaces.

A resident of Charlotte, N.C., Katie is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte’s Ventureprise entrepreneurial program and is an active participant in the city’s tech community.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

With Friends Like the Ag Minister, Grocery Perceptions and guest Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares

michael@meleblanc.co (Jake Karls) — Thu, 6 Apr 2023 09:02:12 +0000

Our special guest for this episode is the dynamic Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Rainmaker of Quebec-based Mid-Day Squares. Based in Montreal, Mid-Day Squares is changing the afternoon snack game, one chocolate square at a time. Founders Nick, Lezlie and her brother Jake have raised $21 million and sold over one million chocolate bars in just under 20 months, but it's been anything but a conventional product launch and a smooth ride to success.

We cover the latest Federal Budget and what was in it for the food business and talk about the passing of Bill C-234, an Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, exempting on-farm use of the fuels from the carbon tax will save thousands of dollars for Canadian farmers who rely on natural gas and propane every day for their essential operations, which was adopted with 176 votes for and 146 against. Of particular note, the Canadian Agriculture Minister voted against the private member's bill, leaving many to wonder who has Farmer's back in Ottawa.

We discuss the Agri-Food Analytics Lab's latest research on consumers perceptions of grocers, and lastly, we talk turkey or ham for Easter dinner, and speaking of meat, Eat Just's cultured meat product gets a vital letter from the U.S. FDA, but the cold shoulder in Italy.

About Jake

Jake Karls is the co-founder and Chief Rainmaker at Mid-Day Squares. Building the next biggest chocolate snacking brand. As the Rainmaker, Jake focuses on achieving growth through the business of building genuine relationships – with investors, buyers, journalists, and building out the internal team. In Jake’s better-known role as Mid-Day Squares’s resident Social-Personality, he passionately inspires others to “get comfortable with the uncomfortable” and be unapologetically themselves. Though he was recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2023, his self-proclaimed “greatest accomplishment” was learning how to be confident in himself.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Snack Attack, Hail to Peace By Chocolate, and Barry Murchie, President & CEO, TruLeaf Sustainable Agriculture

michael@meleblanc.co (Barry Murchie) — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:42:44 +0000

In this episode, we are joined by a special guest, Barry Murchie, President & CEO of TruLeaf Sustainable Agriculture, to discuss his unique vertical farm business. TruLeaf's products are available in major grocers such as Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro under the Good Leaf brand.

We then jump into the news and discuss Sylvain's viral TikTok on snacks and taxes. Next, we discuss the global population growth issue and what it means for the food industry. We react to American President Biden's recent visit to Ottawa, welcomed with a chocolate bar from fried of the pod Tariq Hahad's Peace By Chocolate. The visit included a commitment of $420 million for Great Lakes environmental work, and Alberta beef served at dinner, with a Newfoundland Screech-inspired dessert.

Next, we discuss California's challenges with floods and the impact on leafy green prices in Canada and Sylvain's upcoming meeting with the Competition Bureau as part of a study on the food industry.

About Barry

Barry Murchie has been President and CEO of TruLeaf Sustainable Farms and GoodLeaf Farms since June 2019. Barry was with McCain Foods for 25 years, his last position was VP Commercial Operations, North America.

Barry joined McCain Foods in Tokyo, Japan in 1994 in a continuous improvement role focused on logistics. Barry transferred to McCain Argentina in 1997 to assist in the start-up of a new production facility and in the development of our grower programs. In 2000 Barry transferred to the Othello, Washington production facility to manage our export business into Asia. In 2001 Barry transferred to our US head office in Oakbrook, Illinois to manage our logistics unit. In 2003 Barry assumed responsibility for our Special Markets sales division, which handled K-12 schools, Deli, C-Stores and Industrial sales. In 2007 Barry transferred to Tokyo, Japan as Country Manager and in 2009 he also assumed responsibility for our South Korean business. In 2011 Barry transferred to Singapore as Managing Director of our business in Asia. In 2013 Barry transferred back to our US head office as VP Sysco Business Unit and in 2014 Barry transitioned to the role of VP Commercial Operations, North America.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Special Dairy Rapporteur, We Scream at Ice Cream, & Susan Krashinsky Robertson, The Globe & Mail

michael@meleblanc.co (Susan Krashinsky Robertson) — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:02:55 +0000

Our special guest in this episode is Susan Krashinsky Robertson, Retail Reporter from The Globe & Mail, recently nominated for two National Newspaper Awards. Susan gives us an insiders look into her tradecraft as a reporter and how modern media approaches and crafts the narrative of a story. We delve into the unique aspects of reporting on the food and grocery industry. We solicit Susan's advice on best practices for retailers and brand owners in dealing with the media and what to avoid doing.

But first, we discuss a range of news topics, including the Chinese-owned baby powder plant using Canadian dairy for export to China, the downsizing of ice cream tubs by major brands, a new survey on food affordability and political parties in Canada, and Alimentation Couche-Tard's $4.7B acquisition deal. The episode also includes updates on the Ukraine grain deal, Sobeys' cyberattack bill, the Buffalo Wild Wings lawsuit, and Kit Kat cereal's debut in the U.K. The episode concludes with news about Kellogg's snacking unit getting a new name.

Grocery Customer Service Research

About Susan

Susan covers the retail industry for The Globe and Mail. Before joining The Globe in 2009, Susan worked as a freelance reporter contributing to the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette and other publications, as well as CBC Radio. She has a Masters degree in journalism from Carleton University. In 2008 she worked at a radio station in Kigali, Rwanda as part of a media development project through Carleton. She has also lived in Osaka, Japan.

Here are a few links to recent stories that might be helpful for the show notes.

-A recent story on the Tim Hortons issue: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-tim-hortons-franchisees-profitability/

-A story on food waste-diversion apps: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-groceries-apps-food-waste-flashfood/

-Here’s a story on the communications challenge facing the grocers amid food inflation: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-loblaw-food-prices-twitter/

-My colleague David’s piece on grocers and inflation, so I’ll include a link to that: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-greedflation-or-savvy-selling-grocers-like-leaving-us-guessing/

-This is the story I mentioned about sick pay policies: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-retail-workers-face-jumble-of-corporate-sick-pay-policies-amid-omicron/

-For something completely different, if listeners are interested in the ballet piece discussed that was nominated: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/article-karen-kain-national-ballet-swan-lake/

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Grocery CEO Awards, Brand's Blind Eyes, and Tom Margeson, Superfruit Purée

michael@meleblanc.co (Tom Margeson) — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 07:55:48 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor podcast Season three, episode 16.

Our special guest is Tom Margeson, President & CEO at Healthy Berries, live from PEI, talking to us about Superfruit Puree! Tom shares with us the fascinating origin story, growth trajectory and experiences of his business, and his experiences as a contestant on Dragon's Den.

In the news, Sylvain reviews the grocery CEOS performance in front of the Parliamentary Agri-Food committee and awards the grocers and parliamentarians based on their opening statements, questions, and overall performance.

We check back in on a story we talked about last week, reported in the New York Times, where big brand owners were found to have child labour deep in their supply chains.

The episode also provides a sneak peek into a new report from the Agri-Foods lab, coming out next week, that looks at price errors and customer service in grocery stores. Next, Sylvan discusses a new bill, Bill C-234, on track to become law before summer. This bill would immediately exempt fuel used to dry grain and heat barns from the carbon tax.

The episode concludes with a discussion on AI in the food industry, the offer made by Russia to extend the Ukrainian grain export deal, and the risks farmers face in Ukraine due to mines planted in their fields. Finally, Michael & Sylvain discuss Aldi's packaging mishap and how it reflects the company's position on hard discounting.

About Tom

A dynamic, seasoned, enterprising senior leader known for building strong relationships combined with a belief in leading-by-example. Extensive achievements in the consumer packaged goods sector with a reputation for insight and vision. Strong knowledge of P&L drivers and strategic planning. Possesses a natural talent for motivating and engaging teams, facilitating both personal and professional development. Focused on continuously meeting or over-achieving targets through rewarding excellence and smart business decisions. A solutions-focused professional with a natural passion for serving the community as well as the organization.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

When Pigs Fly, Eat Just Less, TikTok Foreign Food Influence & Vince Breton, DuBreton

michael@meleblanc.co (Vince Breton) — Thu, 9 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss recent news stories in the food industry, starting with the recent layoffs at Eat Just, notwithstanding their success with their plant-based egg product and cultivated meat products, and the closure of Merit Foods in Winnipeg: is there more behind these closures to the plant-based protein industry, or just swings and roundabouts of risk, growth and capitalism?

We touch on the scene from a Montreal underpass where frozen carcasses of pigs strung up in protest and the immigrant child labour scandal at Hearthside Food Solutions that may have kids packing your Cheerios.

Our special guest is Vince Breton from DuBreton. He tells us about his Canadian specialty pork farming and processing company, which is getting worldwide attention for its organic pork products and the standards of treatment of the animals on his farms that he sells to consumers.

Lastly, we discuss the long-term changes in the food, grocery, and restaurant industries brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic

and the largest outbreak of avian influenza in U.S. history, which has driven up egg prices and raised concerns about a potential human pandemic. Finally, we discuss the influence of Tik Tok on food innovation and the new Chicken Big Mac at McDonald's, inspired by a fan recipe.

A few Dubreton cooks from Mike's popular YouTube cooking show, the Last Request BBQ show:

https://youtu.be/U6Y_JHlEZIo

https://youtu.be/Y4SZEH012J0

https://youtu.be/n-f_hz5jvy8

https://youtu.be/KD1P_AaDJ-U

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

RBI Double Tap, Advice to Parliamentarians, Sleep Cereal & Kristjan Hebert, Hebert Grain Ventures

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristjan Hebert) — Thu, 2 Mar 2023 09:34:28 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor podcast. We have a special guest live from Saskatchewan, Kristjan Hebert, President of Herbert Grain Ventures and the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 Prairies winner.

We talked to Kristjan to get his overall view of the state of Canadian agriculture today, including the grain market for 2023 and beyond, the impact of the Ukraine War on the market and planting and the challenges affecting the agriculture industry in Canada. We talk about encouraging young farmers to enter the industry, what the government can do to ensure a strong future for farming and farmers in Canada, and if we ask Kristjan if he were the Canadian Minister of Agriculture for one day, what three changes he would make.

In other news, we discuss the recent quarterly results of Loblaw's and the political theatre of grocers confirmed to appear in front of the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture in Ottawa on March 8.

Michael asks Sylvain what questions Parliamentarians should ask the grocers and has a few suggestions himself. Lastly, we discuss new Post bedtime cereal and upcoming research from the Dalhousie Agri-foods Analytics lab.

About Kristjan

Kristjan Hebert is the President and CEO of The Hebert Group and Managing Partner of Hebert Grain Ventures, a 30,000-acre grain and oilseed operation in southeast Saskatchewan, Canada. He is also the co-founder of Maverick Ag Consulting which provides custom-designed lending, accounting and insurance solutions to producers and Farmer Coach, a business management coaching program for farmers. Successful entrepreneur, and leader in the agricultural sector, Kristjan Hebert is passionate about advancing agriculture in Canada and globally.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Ukraine One Year Later, Beer Taxes, RBI Double Double Trouble, and Michael Burgess, CEO of Nerpy's Hot Sauces & Marinades

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Burgess) — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:05:03 +0000

This episode's guest is Michael Burgess, founder of Nerpy's hot sauces and marinades. We talk about Nerpy's origin story, what inspired Michael to get into the food business, and all about the products and what makes them different.

But first, we cover Canada's food inflation numbers and if they are on track to match Sylvain's predictions from Canada's Food Price Report.

Ukraine: One year later - Biden visits, Putin claps back opting out of the last nuclear treaty….after a year less disruption to the global food supply chain but many repercussions, including the government promising Canadian farmers they'd get their $35 million back

Next, the 6.3% escalator tax on beer coming into effect April 1 - one of the largest, if not the largest by percentage, and ask why.

Double double trouble cleanup in the drive-through: RBI cleaning house: Tim Hortons turfs key store owner amid a battle with franchisees over profitability and serves notice to the Board of Director members…and lastly, our good friends at Better Cart Analytics get funded

https://www.foodincanada.com/food-trends/cfin-awards-1-2m-to-five-foodtech-projects-154101/

About Michael

Meet Michael Burgess who hails from Kingston, Jamaica. Michael is an entrepreneur and foodie who was born in Kingston, where lived until his family moved to Canada in 1982. Michael Burgess’ story is one that goes from riding a donkey laden with fruits on his grandfather’s farm in Clarendon, Jamaica. To producing award winning hot sauces in Toronto, ON worthy of Toronto Life magazine’s Hall of Flame. Michael’s love of food is deeply rooted in his Jamaican heritage and culture which is what inspires his work. Michael is a Certified Sales Professional and believes in their philosophy of continual learning. His Post- Secondary education was completed at Seneca College in Toronto where he is a graduate from not one but three programs. He started with Accounting, followed by Business Administration-Entrepreneurship and lastly he finalized his studies with Business Administration-Management. In between his studies Michael worked as a manager for a few different companies. In 2008/2009 he looked at the Hot Sauce industry and began experimenting with sauces. By the fall of 2009 Nerpy’s Hot Sauces™, began. Nerpy’s is currently listed in grocery chains like Metro, Sobeys, Farm Boy as well as many other independent retailers and a few restaurants/caterers in Ontario.

Nerpy’s Inc. began in the fall of 2009 as a part time Hot Sauce venture. Nerpy’s Inc., now produces award winning sauces in Toronto, ON worthy of Toronto Life magazine’s Hall of Flame. The Scotch Bonnet peppers are a signature component of these products, many of which have won awards in and around the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. This collection of sauces include a Mango Scotch bonnet Very Hot Sauce, a Pomegranate and Beet hot sauce, a Tamarind Jerk Seasoning, a Coconut Curry Seasoning, an All Purpose seasoning and a Tropical Pineapple &Appleton Rum infused BBQ Sauce. Nerpy’s Hot Sauces have won awards in competitions such as Jerk Warz (2016), The Heatwave Hot Sauce Expo (2019) and The Royal Winter Fair’s Hot Sauce Competition (2019). Michael’s Pomegranate Hot Sauce was recognized by Toronto Life Magazine as one of the Top twenty Hot Sauces in Toronto (2019).

Nerpy’s is now listed in over 150+ retail stores including major grocery chains like Metro, Sobeys, Farm Boy as well as many other smaller independent retailers and a few restaurants in caterers in Ontario.

Got to https://www.nerpys.ca to learn more about Nerpy’s amazing products or use the store locator for retailers across Ontario.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Worlds Top Sommelier, Parliamentary Ag Committee Act II, and special guest Michelin star chef, Irish restauranteur, JP McMahon

michael@meleblanc.co (JP McMahon) — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:22:25 +0000

Our first weekly podcast episode, and as expected, there is no shortage of news and happenings in the food, grocery and restaurant industry to report on!

Our extraordinary guest in this episode is JP McMahon, Michelin star chef, restauranteur, ambassador for Irish food and author, joining us live from Galway, Ireland. In a wide-ranging conversation, we talk about his eclectic and artistic interests, the concepts behind his restaurants, what it takes to be a Michelin-star restaurant and the upsides/downsides of that global program. We also talk about lessons learned from the COVID pandemic for the industry, the stagiaires system, and two-starts, one-stop advice for fellow restauranteurs.

Some folks may have been watching the Superbowl on Sunday night, but you would have missed the important announcement, Best Sommelier in the World competition! The best Sommelier in the world is from Latvia, crowned Sunday in Paris in front of 4,000 spectators. Raimonds Tomsons beat another contestant from northern Europe, Denmark's Nina Jensen, who was runner-up for the second consecutive edition of the triennial competition. Reeze Choi from Hong Kong finished third. Not countries that usually come to mind when thinking about wine, we talk about why this is a positive development in wine.

Speaking of a live show and competition, the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee is back looking at food inflation. We talk about what the next steps.

Next week is the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine coming(Feb. 24) - we start looking ahead.

We talk about GM Salmon farm change of business model….Aquabounty and Australia's Karen's Diner are coming to Canada. Up in smoke: Canopy closes their iconic plant in Smith Falls, the old Hershey plant - at one time the biggest cannabis company in the world

That's a lot of cheddar, as the kids would say - Saputo blows the doors off their results with an 85% YOY performance.

New labour data (STASCAN), coming out last week: Only two sectors are employing fewer people than in January 2020: Agriculture (-12%) and Accommodation and hospitality (-10%) - is this a shift or shortage of workers?

Farmland values across the country are skyrocketing - we talk about the implications.

About JP

Source: https://www.finedininglovers.com/people/jp-mcmahon

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Dairy Dumping Dilemma, Pizzagate, Cash Crunch and our guest Shabnam Weber, President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Shabnam Weber) — Thu, 9 Feb 2023 12:49:17 +0000

Sylvain gets pretty worked up about Nestle's decision to exit the freezer section with their pizzas and other frozen staples, the latest report from the AgriFoods lab on the cashless economy, Canadian dairy in the dumps, and we visit the discount grocery store sector. Finally, a bit of trouble for our friend Yanick Gervais at Olymel, who is closing some processing plants

We get the "T" from our extraordinary guest Shabnam Weber, President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, and a special announcement about the show!

About Shabnam

For almost two decades, Shabnam Weber owned and operated her own tea company in Toronto, Canada. With retail stores and a wholesale business, her company was one of the first of its kind in Toronto. Her passion and love of tea led her to become involved with the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada as a Director, sitting on a number of committees, most notably the Education Committee where she wrote the Tea Sommelier® program.

Shabnam divested from her business’ and took the position of President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada in 2018. She has transformed the association through the programs and resources it offers members and become an industry leader. She is the Canadian representative on the UN FAO’s Intergovernmental Group on Tea where she sits on a number of working groups as well as being the Vice-Chair of the working group on Smallholders and co-Chair of the working group on Tea and Health.

Through her time as an entrepreneur and her industry involvement for over twenty years, she has a unique perspective on multiple angles of the business advocating for all. Shabnam values the diversity offered by all parts of the tea industry, both in Canada and beyond and focuses always on the bigger picture.

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Ethics of Stealing Food, Canada's Croissant Game, and Guest Josh Tetrick, CEO of Eat Just Inc.

michael@meleblanc.co (Josh Tetrick) — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor podcast, Season three!

We're back on the mic after a busy couple of weeks for Sylvain and the podcast; our last episode with Robert Andjelich, the largest farm owner in Canada, was our most popular ever, though some of that activity may be a reflection of Sylvain's media popularity in the past couple of weeks too!

Our extraordinary guest this week is a revolutionary farmer of a different type, Josh Tetrick, CEO and co-founder of Eat Just Inc

https://www.ju.st/

https://www.goodmeat.co/

In this episode,

Is stealing morally acceptable now?
In 2022, Canada became the largest croissant exporter in the world. We now export millions of kilos of butter along with these croissants - but is this another factor in the high cost of butter domestically?
The Grocery Code of Conduct update/ reaction - what we know, what we don't know, and when we'll know it
CCSA's new alcohol guidelines - in a world where almost everything causes cancer, if you consume enough of it, what is the right approach to communicating the risks?
Parliament is back next week, and expectations, including on Bill C-252 (food advertising to children)

About Josh

JoshTetrick, co-founder and CEO, Eat Just, Inc.

JoshTetrick is CEO & co-founder of Eat Just, Inc., a food technology company with a mission to build a healthier, safer and more sustainable food system in our lifetimes. The company's expertise, from functionalizing plant proteins to culturing animal cells, is powered by a world-class team of scientists and chefs spanning more than a dozen research disciplines. Eat Just created one of America’s fastest-growing egg brands, which is made entirely of plants, and the world’s first-to-market meat made from animal cells instead of slaughtered livestock. Prior to founding Eat Just, Tetrick led a United Nations business initiative in Kenya and worked for both former President Clinton and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. As Fulbright Scholar, Tetrick taught schoolchildren in Nigeria and South Africa and is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Michigan Law School. Tetrick has been named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business,” Inc.’s “35 Under 35” and Fortune’s “40 Under 40.” Eat Just has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies,” Entrepreneur’s “100 Brilliant Companies,” CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.

About Us

About Michael

Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world.

In 2020 Michael launched The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois exploring the critical issues in food, grocery and food service. The Food Professor podcast is one of Apple Podcasts' top 20 business management podcasts in Canada, and currently the number one Canadian produced and hosted podcast in the category.

Based in New York, Conversations with CommerceNext is a podcast focusing on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers with episodes talking with C-level executives operating in the U.S. and internationally.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Nobody Here But Us Chickens, 2023 Predictions and Canada's largest farmland owner, Robert Andjelic

michael@meleblanc.co (Robert Andjelic) — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 09:01:10 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor podcast, Season 3, episode 9.

In this episode, we're looking ahead to the year 2023. We have an extraordinary guest joining us for this episode - Robert Andjelic, Founder & CEO of Andjelic Land, the largest farm owner in Canada, who has graciously agreed to join us for a rare interview.

https://andjelic.ca/

In this episode, we discuss predictions for 2023. We also delve into recent news about chicken prices and government subsidies for dairy farmers. Are there any fixable issues in the current system of supporting farmers? Along with these discussions, we will be hearing from our special guest and your host's top predictions for 2023, including "Reducetarianism" replacing "Flexitarianism," the future of the restaurant and foodservice business and the impact of the ongoing Ukraine war on global food infrastructure.

Big news we are once again working with the great people at the SIAL Food Innovation show, and will be the official podcast of the 2023 SIAL show this year here in Toronto from April 9 to 11th

https://sialcanada.com/en/

About Robert

Robert’s founding of Andjelic Land was driven by his undeniable passion for agriculture. From meeting with producers, assisting with land improvements, or promoting the industry, he is extremely hands-on with the business. He is an unwavering champion of Saskatchewan’s producers and strongly believes they are positioned to be global leaders in food production. Robert is a firm believer in local value-added businesses and is currently collaborating with private industry and different levels of government to attract value add players to the industry with a focus on Saskatchewan. These efforts have borne fruit as evidenced by several new companies opening protein extraction/ fractionation plants across the three Prairie provinces. Robert is keenly aware that the success of Andjelic Land is predicated on partnering with and supporting strong Saskatchewan producers.

Robert has spent his entire career in pursuit of excellence. As a teenager, he renovated homes in Winnipeg’s North End. He went on to cofound a masonry business that worked on countless projects throughout Manitoba starting with house fronts, then moving into commercial properties, and eventually into building schools, hydroelectric projects, cultural centers, public swimming pools, etc. During this time, Robert identified an opportunity to improve upon the industrial buildings that were then being built and started a company that quickly went on to become Winnipeg’s leading private industrial builder & developer. At one point, the whole Andjelic family was involved to achieve this goal. He sold the building portfolio in 2007 and over a decade later, this portfolio of properties continues to be some of the most desirable and sought-after assets in the city.

In 2011, Robert identified similar opportunities to improve upon the management, development, and efficiency of agricultural land. His unwavering belief in the potential of Saskatchewan’s producers and what they would be able to achieve with even more productive and efficient land resulted in the creation of Andjelic Land. You can find him driving all over the province talking to tenants and working with them to further enhance and improve the land they farm. A decade after starting his mission to provide farmers with Premium Sustainable Land™, Robert feels we have only begun to scratch the surface of Saskatchewan agriculture’s potential on its rise to global prominence. The work continues!

About Us

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Top Food Story of 2022, Russian Fertilizer Tariffs, COP15, & Special Guest Sam Zien, aka "Sam The Cooking Guy"

michael@meleblanc.co (sam zion) — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:20:41 +0000

For our last episode of 2022, Sylvain looks back to the top food story of 2022 and the tradecraft of how the top 10 food story ranking comes together in a super-busy food year. We also talk about the Russian fertilizer tariff and who paid when for the $ 34 million donation to Ukraine.

Our special guest for this episode live from San Diego, California via Vancouver & Toronto, is Sam Zien, aka Sam the Cooking Guy, who shares his remarkable and inspiring journey to 3.5Million subscribers on YouTube, three restaurants and six cookbooks

https://www.youtube.com/@samthecookingguy

Big news we are once again working with the great people at the SIAL Food Innovation show and will be the official podcast of the 2023 SIAL show this year here in Toronto from April 9 to 11th

https://sialcanada.com/en/

Our next episode will be on January 12

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/top-10-food-stories-2022.html

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Inflation 2023, Sylvain Testifies and Special Guest Kelly Long, CEO, Noble Premium Bison

michael@meleblanc.co (Kelly Long) — Thu, 8 Dec 2022 08:05:00 +0000

An action-packed episode as we get the story behind the story of the latest edition, the 13th, of Canada's Food Price Report, plus hear all about Sylvain's day testifying in Ottawa in front of the parliamentary committee on the cost of food along with a whole cast of characters.

Our special guest for this episode is Kelly Long, CEO of Noble Premium Bison.

https://noblepremiumbison.com/

A reminder to the people not to sleep on, as the kids would say, our most excellent interview with Christine Cruz-Clarke, CEO of Balzac's Coffee, recorded live in person at the Coffee Association of Canada's conference here in Toronto…

We stop in with our good friends Gurth Pretty and Maelle Rey-Marechal from SIAL at Gurth's Lakeview Cheese - getting all geared up for SIAL here in Toronto in May - we are once again the official podcast of SIAL!

We should also mention that once again, we are sponsoring the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards, presented by Retail Council of Canada, the deadline for submissions is December 31, 2022

Canada's Food Price Report

Cooking with Bison!

About Kelly

In 2004, Kelly Long introduced Canadian bison to an eager yet untapped European market. An award-winning agricultural entrepreneur and marketer, Kelly and her husband and partner, Pieter Spinder, grew the company and their business to ultimately become a valuable acquisition for one of the largest bison producers in North America.

Fast forward to 2017 with a new brand, Noble Premium Bison, a new partner, producer Doug Griller, and a new mission - to position Canadian grass-raised bison as the meat to beat, and make Noble Premium Bison one of the most sought-after red meat products at both retail and foodservice in both Canada and Europe.

Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge in the vertical integration of raising, producing, and exporting premium bison meat. As CEO of Noble Premium Bison, Kelly Long believes in elevating the bar in all aspects of business. As one of Canada’s recognized female entrepreneurs, Kelly continues to be at the forefront of the bison industry—an industry trending towards species sustainability, land regeneration and consumer transparency.

About Us

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Bonus Episode: Christine Cruz-Clarke, CEO, Balzacs Coffee

michael@meleblanc.co (Christine Cruz-Clarke) — Thu, 1 Dec 2022 08:05:00 +0000

Recorded live in person at the Coffee Association of Canada's The Road Ahead 2022 Annual Conference in Toronto, Sylvain and I sit down with Christine Cruz-Clarke, CEO of Balzacs Coffee Roasters. In a wide-ranging conversation, Christine takes us through her consulting and packaged goods background and the business's origin story, from a coffee cart at Ontario Place to the shelves of significant grocers across Canada and multiple bespoke locations across Ontario. We also talk about their corporate culture and what innovation looks like across their wholesale and retail business.

About Christine
Christine leads with heart and hustle, and think with infinite possibility to catalyze change.

As the CEO of Balzac’s Coffee Ltd., a vertically integrated premium coffee brand with a sustainable chain of cafés, I oversee all company operations with a focus on building the brand and driving commercial success.

Prior to joining Balzac’s, I spent over 18 years leading businesses and teams in CPG, Management Consulting and Sustainability in both Canada and Europe. I held senior roles with Mars Inc. leading marketing and strategy for the conglomerate’s global gum, mint and chocolate portfolios, and marketing and innovation roles at both The Hershey Company and Wrigley Canada.

Over my career I have learned how to combine commerciality with creativity keeping consumers at the heart of problem solving to help businesses grow. I have tackled a variety of business challenges (turnaround, cost agenda, crisis management) and seized growth opportunities (white space innovation, new business development, emerging channels), while building and growing teams in Canada, UK and Europe.

Prior to joining Balzac’s, I served as the General Manager for TerraCycle Canada, a leader in sustainable solutions which was named as one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies. I have also held marketing and strategy roles with both Kraft Foods and Deloitte.

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Loblaw Scores with Price Freeze, Dairy Farmers Score with the Leafs, Lab-Grown Scores FDA Approval and Special Guest Kate Burnett, President, Bridgehead Coffee

michael@meleblanc.co (Kate Burnett) — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 09:20:53 +0000

Sylvain and I are back on the mic together after seeing each other and being together at the Coffee Association of Canada's great conference in Toronto last week.

I'm back from a whirlwind trip to NYC and have to say I had some super exciting dining experiences….first, I visited the new RH Guest House for breakfast. Then I experienced the new Starbucks concept store at the foot of the Empire State Building and my favourite restaurant Balthazar for an amazing Nova Scotia lobster pasta.

And coming out of the Coffee Association conference, we've already published a special bonus episode with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC, talking about the big picture economic forecast and the impact on the food industry….

In this episode, recorded live in person, our insightful interview with Kate Burnett, President at Bridgehead Coffee.

Breaking news…Sylvain might be back on Galen Westin's Christmas Card list! A super interesting new report from the Agri-Food Analytics lab broke through the Twitter clutter and revealed some startling stats about what Canadians heard, how they shop and whom they blame for high food prices.

Next, we discuss Dairy Farmers of Canada's investment in the Toronto Maple Leafs, impressions on COP27, and the FDA's stunning approval of lab-grown chicken! We finish with a quick chat about favourite food movies and The Menu.

About Kate

Kate Burnett is the Chief Operations Officer of Bridgehead. She has been with the organization since 2017, after moving back to Ottawa with her family. Kate actively pursued a role with Bridgehead based on its commitment to people (farmers, suppliers, customers and staff), the local community and the environment. The idea of having a Bridgehead flat white every morning just pushed her over the edge.

Prior to Bridgehead, Kate worked for Me to We, an innovative social enterprise based in Toronto focused on empowering people to change the world. She held multiple roles over her seven years there, including the Director of Consumer Engagement (building the retail side of the enterprise), Director of Business Development (working with partners to support initiatives and products with impact) and eventually as the Deputy Chief Operating Director (joining the Executive team to help lead and manage the growing enterprise).

Kate completed an honors undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario with a double major in English and Psychology. She later completed an MBA from the University of Victoria with a focus on service management (marketing, operations and customer service). She received multiple scholarships including the Canada’s CEO of the Year – Futures Fund Scholarship and was the President of the Student Council.

Before Me to We, Kate was the Associate Director of Camp Kandalore, a traditional summer camp with a focus on leadership and canoe tripping. Prior to this, she spent sixteen summers attending and then working at Camp Tawingo, which nurtured her passion for making a difference. Kate has travelled to over thirty countries and has been lucky enough to have been able to volunteer in South Africa at a camp for children affected by HIV/AIDS as well as in Rwanda with youth affected by the genocide.

She believes that using innovative business practices to make a positive impact is the most efficient and effective way to change the world.

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Bonus Episode: Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC

michael@meleblanc.co (Benjamin Tal) — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:10:21 +0000

Recorded live in person at the Coffee Association of Canada's The Road Ahead 2022 Annual Conference in Toronto, Sylvain and I sit down with Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC.

We have a fast past and action-packed conversation around the state of the Canadian economy, prospects for our mid and long-term future, and the impact on the food service and coffee industry. Let's listen in now!

About Benjamin
Benjamin is a member of the CIBC economic team that is responsible for analyzing macro economic developments and their implications for fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets. He also acts in an advisory capacity to bank officers on issues related to wealth management, household credit and risk, and corporate credit and risk.

Well-known for his ground-breaking published research on topics such as labour market dynamics, real estate, credit markets, international trade and business economic conditions, Benjamin not only contributes to the conversation but also frequently sets the agenda.

Benjamin has close to 20 years of experience in the private sector advising clients, industry leaders, corporate boards, trade associations and governments on economic and financial issues. He is also a regular commentator in the media.

Benjamin is a member of the Economic Committee of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Committee of the Toronto Board of Trade. He is also a board member for the Governors of Junior Achievement of Central Ontario and Toronto Financial International.

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Taking Greeds Measure, Cyber Troubles and Special Guest David Carsley, Head of Industry, Google

michael@meleblanc.co (David Carsley) — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode, Sylvain and I discuss excess profits, how and why the Agri-Foods Analytics lab came up with the term and that number, and what Sylvain wants Canadians to take away from the exercise.

Breaking news: we take on IT troubles in the food business in Canada…then more breaking news: lettuce pray for lettuce in trouble again.

Michelin guide comes to Canada/Toronto/Vancouver - our last season guest Cory Mintz is not a fan. Cities invest big money to attract the Michelin guide. https://guide.michelin.com/en/ca/restaurants/1-star-michelin/2-stars-michelin

The Craft Beer market in Ontario is not so frothy: is it a case of too many micros chasing too few draught taps in a tapped-out, quasi-post covid market? https://www.thestar.com/business/2022/11/04/future-of-ontarios-craft-brewery-industry-not-so-frothy.html

Read Greedflation 3 report here: https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-fod/research/greedflation-3.html

Our guest this episode is David Carsley, Head of Industry, Google Marketing Platform, talking about the insight, work and services for the food and foodservice business that Google has to offer.

As a reminder to everyone in six sleeps, we will be podcasting live and interviewing a slate of guests at the upcoming Canadian Coffee Association Conference in Toronto at the Globe and Mail Centre on November 14. Get your tickets today and come by and say hello. Our guests will include Christine Cruz-Clarke, CEO of Balzac’s, Kate Burnett, CEO of Bridgehead coffee, and Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist from CIBC…

Links mentioned in the interview:

1. Digitalmaturitybenchmark.withgoogle.com -> A self-service tool for companies to measure their digital marketing maturity. The survey was built in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group.

2. ThinkwithGoogle.com -> Google's hub to see all kinds of case studies from companies that have grown their business using Google's technology.

3. Google Trends -> Explore what the world is searching in real time.

4. Google Analytics 4 -> Google's unified app and web analytics tool.

About David
As Head of Industry at Google, David advises Canadian companies on how to leverage the best of Google's marketing technology to drive profitable growth and future-proof their businesses. David's guiding principles are Empathy, Honesty and Humility -- traits he believes are necessary to build meaningful connections both professionally and personally. He lives in Oakville with his wife Leora and two dogs Brella and Gilligan.

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Price Freeze's Big Week, Big Grocery Merger, and Special Guest Yanick Gervais, Olymel's CEO

michael@meleblanc.co (Yanick Gervais) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 11:55:27 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor Season three, episode 4!

We recoding this episode live together in Toronto at T3 Sheraton hotel - great to be together again in person for the show! First we start with a retrospect on the past two week discussion around grocery price freezes, and all the energy that went on in the media, industry, and government, and reflecting back on a particularly active week, what Sylvain takes away from all the discourse around the price of food, the people who sell it to consumers, and the people who sell it to the grocers?

We also talk about the tradeoffs between first mover advantage and owing an industry-wide issue - putting yourself in the front window so to speak.

Our excellent guest interview is with Yanick Gervais, President ad CEO of Olymel, the Canadian leader in producing, processing and marketing pork and poultry meat, with 15,000 employees serving the Canadian market and exporting products to over 65 countries. They have over 30 plants in five Canadian provinces.

We then head south for a few minutes and talk about big grocery mergers…specifically, Krogers and Albertsons $25 billion U.S. deal - together would have 710,000 workers, 5,000 stores and sales greater than $200 billion with a B. Move it to No. 2 with 13.5% share versus Walmart’s 15.5%…What say you about the dynamics that created this deal, and thoughts on the likelihood that it will actually happen. They will spin 400 stores and create a new rival to get past antitrust …

Lastly we talk about spooky halloween research, and Alberta's new premier and their agricultural sector.

About Yanick

Yanick Gervais was appointed President and CEO of Olymel on November 11, 2021. He succeeded Réjean Nadeau, who passed away on October 14 of the same year after leading the company for nearly a quarter of a century. When La Fernandière was acquired in 2016, Yanick Gervais joined Olymel and first became Vice President and General Manager of this new division, which focuses on the production of fresh sausages.

In 2018, Yanick Gervais was appointed Senior Vice President, Operations, in addition to overseeing the Engineering and Logistics departments. In this capacity, he had the key responsibility to oversee the operations of more than 30 plants located mainly in Quebec, but also in four other Canadian provinces. Before joining Olymel, Yanick Gervais was co-owner and general manager of La Fernandière for over 10 years. He was the grandson of one of its founders.

Trained as an accountant and tax specialist, Yanick Gervais previously worked with the accounting firm Dessureault, Leblanc, Lefebvre, C.A. from 2001 to 2005. He has been very active on various committees related to the chartered accountancy profession, particularly on training and recognition of the next generation of chartered accountants. Yanick Gervais volunteers for several charitable organizations and is very involved in his community. He holds a graduate diploma and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, as well as a master’s degree in taxation (MTax) from the Université de Sherbrooke.

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Ottawa's price gouging investigation, supply chain task force report and special guest Jane Dummer

michael@meleblanc.co (Jane Dummer) — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 07:05:00 +0000

Highlights from this episode: Ottawa's price gouging investigation, supply chain task force report and special guest Jane Dummer

We open the show with a discussion about the Thanksgiving Holiday - best gravy ever, and Sylvain's love for the hot new trend, butter boards! On a more serious and helpful level, Sylvain has joined joined the BOD of Second Harvest with our season one guest Lori Nikkel. Why and what is ahead for Second Harvest?

A reminder to the listeners that we’ll be together live podcasting from the Coffee Association of Canada’s annual conference, The Road Ahead, November 14th - will put a link in the show notes - run, don’t walk to get your tickets today

I’m just back from Las Vegas and the big NACS show and share my experiences - a look at the convenience store industry and I had the opportunity to speak with S1 guest and friend of the show Cara Keating from Pepsico - former president of the Canadian business - now chief customer officer of Frito Lay North America - a graduate btw of University of Saskatchewan so we know she is hard working in addition to being super smart - and breaking news will be a guest on the show later in the season

Big report just out from the federal government - National Supply Chain Task Force - I know the lab supported the report, you are thanked specifically in the report, a whole cast of characters testified - RCC, CFIG, Sobeys, tell the listeners about the report and perhaps a summary of its findings - it would seem when it comes to the supply chain actors the total is not greater than the sum of its parts

Loblaw driverless trucks signal the beginning of a new age - you see a more interesting road ahead for the food industry - say more….

Alright lets get to our great interview with Jane Dummer and hear what she has to say about the state of food innovation in North America

…and so Canada’s three big supermarket chains will face a parliamentary inquiry into whether they have been exploiting surging inflation to boost their profits, adding a fresh chapter to the big grocers’ protracted public relations struggle.

The House of Commons agriculture committee voted unanimously in favour of a motion to summon grocery executives to Parliament Hill to explain why “large chains are making profits” while shoppers face the worst food retail inflation in four decades .

f you enjoyed this episode your probably listening on a major podcasting platform,

About Jane

Jane founded her consulting company in 1996 with the mission to develop client focused solutions from the pod to plate. A well-respected thought leader in the food industry with credentials as a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Science degree from University of Guelph (Canada’s leading food university), Jane is the Real Deal. Jane and her team’s education, expertise and industry knowledge maximize their capacity to strategize, innovate and communicate customized solutions to accelerate business growth from the pod to plate. With over 60 successful projects, Jane and her team partner with North American food and beverage companies in the agriculture, nutrition and health sectors to build creative solutions that deliver results. A speaker, author and writer, Jane is a frequent guest and commentator in the media circuit with over 250 insightful interviews, presentations, articles and blogs.

Here are my social links:

LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/janedummer

Twitter - https://twitter.com/janedummer

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/janedummer_rd/

Website - www.janedummer.com

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Living in the Eye of the Storm and Special Guest Peter McLaughlin, President at ANNE of Green Gables Chocolates

michael@meleblanc.co (Peter McLaughlin) — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 06:30:56 +0000

Sylvain living his life at the eye of the storm this past weekend as Atlantic Canada got pummelled by an epic storm - and we talk about another storm, his call out for grocers to freeze pricing…

Our special guest on this episode is based in PEI, Peter McLaughlin President and Managing Partner at ANNE of Green Gables Chocolates

A reminder to everyone we will podcasting live and interviewing a whole slate of guests at the upcoming Coffee Association of Canada Conference, in Toronto at the Globe and Mail Centre….November 14…..get your tickets today and come by and say hi

We update the listeners on the global food impacts of the Ukraine war - from a food perspective some grains have flowed out of their ports - but take us through the state of fertilizer, your level of concern for Africa and the middle east, Europe, and overall the global supply of grains etc.

About Peter

Peter McLaughlin was born on Prince Edward Island, one of the four Atlantic provinces in eastern Canada. He earned his BS degree from St. Francis Xavier University and his master’s degree from the University of New Brunswick. From 2016 to 2018, he was president of Interbake Foods in Richmond, Virginia, a leading North American private-label biscuit, cracker, baked dairy products, and filling equipment manufacturer. He was with Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest food retailer with food distribution divisions across the country, for nearly 20 years. He was president, Emerging Business Division and senior vice president of several businesses including National Wholesale and Deli, Home Meal Replacement & Bakery. From 2012 – 2016, he chaired Loblaw’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. Peter and his wife, Niki, have two sons, Riley (age 21) and Brogan (age 19) and a daughter, Bayley (age 18).

About Us

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Season Three Premier With Special Guest Tamara Rebanks with the Homegrown Innovation Challenge

michael@meleblanc.co (Tamara Rebanks) — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 10:46:00 +0000

Our season three premier!

Well we are back, live on the mic, Sylvain is back in Halifax teaching at Dalhousie University after being a visiting scholar in Florida

We have a great season premier episode with our very special guest Tamara Rebanks - chair of the Homegrown Innovation Challenge Taskforce, director at Weston Family Foundation

Now before we jump in we wanted to dedicate this episode to our friend and colleague Xavier Poncin who sadly passed away this summer while we were on hiatus - a great supporter of food innovation in Canada. We were chatting last week with the folks at SIAL, which will be in Toronto May 9th 2023 - again we’ll be the official podcast

Where on earth can we start…well lets start with the important stuff…after much discussion and encouragement…you watched Breaking Bad! Now, say my name!

Okay, you have a new book coming out La Révolution des protéines and your last book Poutine Nation was nominated for an award

Well its September, and the price of Dairy has gone up again, the result of a rare twice in a year ask for price increases…over the summer what did you learn about the data behind this latest round of price increases, and where are we at today

What are you thoughts around U.S. firms like Driscolls growing berries in Canada…running out of water in the US…why can’t we just do that?

Government policy and farmland…this has come up twice, once with a fertilizer policy and second this weekend in the Globe & Mail talking about an opportunity …

What research from the lab did we miss, and what is coming up?

Grocers don’t make too much money after all….

Tamara Rebanks - chair of the Homegrown Innovation Challenge Taskforce, director at Weston Family Foundation

About Tamara

Tamara is a skilled funder with over 25 years of experience working with charities. She has worked on both sides of not-for-profits in Canada, the US, and the UK, and understands the challenges of raising funds for worthy initiatives as well as the pleasure of developing strategic philanthropic goals and executing them.

She managed the corporate donations of George Weston Limited and Weston Foods for nearly twenty years and chaired the Weston Family Foundation, one of Canada’s largest private foundations. Tamara is the current chair of the Homegrown Innovation Challenge Taskforce, created and funded by the Weston Family Foundation and sits on the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC, as well as the boards of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall and Park People.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Karen Proper, Sr. Product Developer, Maple Lodge Farms

michael@meleblanc.co (Karen Propper) — Thu, 8 Sep 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

Sylvain and I are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious awards for the third year in a row and have the chance to hand out the hardware on the stage to the winners in person for the first time!

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Karen Proper, Sr. Product Developer, Maple Lodge Farms

Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews of the finalists from the Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. And stay tuned for our regular full-length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

About Michael

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet House of Exte, Premium Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 1 Sep 2022 06:55:53 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April. We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. These are their stories.

In this final SIAL bonus episode of the series meet House of Exte, Premium Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars

Check out the winners of the food innovation awards: https://sialcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CP-Gagnant-Innovation-2022-EN.pdf

Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews from our podcast studio on the trade show floor in Montreal at SIAL, and stay tuned for our regular full length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.

He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.

Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Paula Deane, Director, Corporate Brands Product Development at Metro Inc.

michael@meleblanc.co (Paula Deane) — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:01:39 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Paula Deane, Director, Corporate Brands Product Development at Metro Inc.

About Paula

A passionate, strategic and results driven leader with an exemplary track record of successfully achieving or exceeding corporate objectives in retail, consumer packaged goods and supply sectors. An innovative and solution focused executive with a proven ability of leading initiatives from concept to execution, developing process improvements and cultivating collaborative and productive business relationships across all levels within and outside of an organization.

Expertise:
* Product Development
* Brand development
* Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
* Product and Category Management
* Retail Management
* Process Development & Improvement
* Vendor Negotiation & Management

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

About Michael

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Patrick Griffin, The OAT Company

michael@meleblanc.co (Patrick Griffin) — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 11:32:39 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode: Meet Patrick Griffin, Owner, The Oat Company

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Laurent Dallaire, CEO Innodal

michael@meleblanc.co (Laurent Dallaire) — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 04:40:11 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode: Meet Laurent Dallaire, CEO Innodal

Check out the winners of the food innovation awards: https://sialcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CP-Gagnant-Innovation-2022-EN.pdf

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Isabelle Marquis, Food Strategist

michael@meleblanc.co (Isabelle Marquis) — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 05:08:49 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode: Meet Isabelle Marquis, Senior Food Strategist

Check out the winners of the food innovation awards: https://sialcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CP-Gagnant-Innovation-2022-EN.pdf

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Mary Peluso, Director, Private Label Grocery, Sobeys

michael@meleblanc.co (Mary Peluso) — Tue, 2 Aug 2022 04:11:07 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Mary Peluso, Director, Private Label Grocery, Sobeys

About Mary

A highly motivated, energetic individual with an extensive background in buying, planning and omni merchandising. I have led successful teams in both the retail and wholesale markets. My diverse background has given me commodity experience in all industries including : health and beauty, grocery and hardlines.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Jim Delsnyder, COO, Zoglo's

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Delsnyder) — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Jim Delsnyder, Chief Operating Officer, Zoglo's

About Jim

Jim has been a leader in the Food and Beverage industry for more than 20 years. He was the former president of Eska Water Inc for 9 years and has worked at many other reputable companies such as Nestle Waters and Quaker Oats.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Sylvain Roux, CEO, and Philippe Begin, VP, Dauphinais

michael@meleblanc.co (Sylvain Roux, Philippe Begin) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 05:49:08 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode: Meet Sylvain Roux, CEO, and Philippe Begin, Vice President, Dauphinais

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Rob Sengotta and Landon Kroeker, Von Slick's Finishing Touch

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Sengotta, Landon Kroeker) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Rob Sengotta and Landon Kroeker, Von Slick's Finishing Touch

About Rob Sengotta and Landon Kroeker

The Man Behind the Flavour: Rob

My 25 year culinary career has been an experience filled with adventure and growth. From world travel to building amazing relationships and pushing myself out of my comfort zone to continue to master my craft.

I’ve had the privilege of cooking on private yachts, fine dining trains, even at a Helicopter ski resort. Working with some of the best chefs in Europe and Canada along the way.

From Michelin star restaurants in England and France, to spending time as a private chef in Whistler and Vancouver and finally owning my own fine dining restaurant for 10 years in British Columbia’s beautiful Shuswap region.

Using compound butters in fine dining is a common occurrence to bring bold flavour to your dish, as well as create dish consistency. Yet it can be difficult to find the product on the retail level.

From a home cook to professional chef, Von Slick’s has the ability to deliver a new level of restaurant quality flavour to any of your home-cooked meals.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Gurth M. Pretty, SIAL Cheese Ambassador, Lakeview Cheese Galore

michael@meleblanc.co (Gurth M. Pretty, Gurth Pretty) — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode: Meet Gurth M. Pretty, SIAL Cheese Ambassador, Lakeview Cheese Galore

About Gurth:

I am a bilingual, passionate and knowledgeable cheese and sales professional, specializing in both Canadian and international cheese. My experiences include retail merchandising, sales analyses and review, category management, distribution, marketing, brand strategy, corporate training, co-ordinating special events, media spokesman, sales strategies, participating as a judge at international cheese competitions, recipe development, food costing, catering, vendor negotiation and problem solving.

Gurth's Book

https://amzn.to/3NpDLPO

Gurth's Cheese Store

https://lakeviewcheesegalore.ca/

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Manisha (Mistry) Nagar, Private Brands Product Development Manager - Health & Wellness, Consumables, Baby & Pet, Walmart

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 05:29:31 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Manisha (Mistry) Nagar, Private Brands Product Development Manager - Health & Wellness, Consumables, Baby & Pet, Walmart

About Manisha:

A quick learner with 15+ years of Product Development experience from both manufacturing and retail. Accustomed to multi-tasking in a fast-paced, and ever-changing environment.

Strong leadership abilities with the ability to communicate, influence and negotiate at all levels. Excellent relationship builder. Always looking for opportunities to improve personally and professionally.

 Direct New Product Development & Continuous Improvement
 Ability to manage priorities, multitask and handle complex situations under pressure.
 Proven ability to prioritize and use time efficiently and effectively.
 Problem Solver
 Analytical Skills
 Leadership & coaching abilities

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Natasha Vandenhurk, CEO at Three Farmers Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Natasha Vandenhurk) — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode: Natasha Vandenhurk, CEO at Three Farmers Foods

About Natasha:

Natasha Vandenhurk is CEO and one of the initial founders at Three Farmers Foods. She studied Economics at the University of Saskatchewan before partnering with three farmers from Southeast Saskatchewan to realize a dream of taking healthy wholesome foods to the marketplace.

Being CEO of a growing, natural foods brand has set Natasha on a journey of continuous learning and leadership. Her passion, dedication and tenacity has grown Three Farmers Foods from a young start up to a thriving international brand. As Three Farmers Foods continues to evolve into an established Consumer Packaged Goods brand, Natasha is adamant about building high performing teams throughout the organization that are dedicated to excellence, accountability and continual learning in this dynamically changing industry.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Mike Primucci, Mimi Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Mike Primucci, Michael Primucci) — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Mike Primucci, Mimi Foods

URL Mentioned in the podcast:

https://chefduo.ca/

About Mike:

MiMi Foods 'Artistic Dough Products'

Dedicated to developing and delivering premium quality products and exceptional customer service through operational excellence, innovative product development, client training and support, excellence in food safety, and doing it all with ARTISTIC PASSION. BRC and HACCP Certified.

SPECIALITIES: Pizza dough manufacturing and related pizza products consisting of:
Pizza Dough Balls, Par-baked Crusts, Sheeted Doughs, Flatbreads, Ciabatta's, Focaccia's, Pinsa Romana, Panuozzo Breads, Gluten Free Products (Cauliflower, Red Lentil, Broccoli, Black Bean, Beetroot, Quinoa and Keto). Products available in various shapes, sizes and flavours.

WHAT SETS UP APART is our ability to custom formulate products. Our R&D team works closely with our customers to develop and produce proprietary formulations such as the 2012 Canadian Grocery Grand Prix Winner for Innovation for the Focaccia Toscana product.

PROUD developer and supplier for the pizza dough used in the 'Guinness World Record' for most pizza's made in one hour, held by Bob Blumer of the 'Glutton for Punishment' TV show.

Link to article on MiMi Foods- Canadian Business Executive:
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?EID=e5608c2e-0380-481d-8180-e0fe91c03a77

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER & INSTAGRAM ~ @mimifoods
LEARN MORE about MiMi Foods at www.mimifoods.ca

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Shawn Leggett, President/Founder at GroundUP Eco-Ventures

michael@meleblanc.co (Shawn Leggett) — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 05:21:25 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April; for many, the first in-person event since the COVID era began two years ago.

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. These are their stories.

In this episode: Shawn Leggett, President/Founder at GroundUP Eco-Ventures

Gold Winner in SIAL's Innovation Awards

About Shawn:

Senior executive skilled at maximizing financial performance and motivating others to achieve peak performance. Listed accomplishments reflect an ability to grow business and manage it with exceptional results in the energy sector in terms of innovation, securing first adopters, safety, cost, quality, schedule and customer satisfaction.

People change careers throughout their lifetime, each job an opportunity to highlight a specific set of qualities or aptitudes. The same can be said of raw ingredients, but maybe the voices saying it aren’t loud enough yet. So hear us when we say that coffee beans make brownies better & barley makes baked goods great for you. If you want more from your food, waste not.

GroundUp eco-ventures is a unique company based on the concept of circular economies. Using clean technology we are focused on creating value from upcycling the waste streams of both the coffee & craft brewery industries. Our goal is to create value through eliminating waste & while we love to nerd out on the process, we couldn’t be happier with the results as well.

We started planning GroundUp in early 2018, but the world had other plans for all of us. They say that good things come to those who wait & we are now delighted to bring our delicious, nutritious products to you.

For us, ‘eating up’ means eating something that tastes great, is good for you & is environmentally responsible. It’s a win win win.

GroundUp is Canadian owned & based in Okotoks, Alberta.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Scott Spencer, Chief Operating Officer at Island Abbey Food Science Ltd.

michael@meleblanc.co (Scott Spencer) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 04:52:48 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Scott Spencer, Chief Operating Officer at Island Abbey Food Science Ltd.

About Scott

As the President and Chief Operations Officer of Island Abbey Foods, Scott is responsible for all company functions including the Supply Chain from Procurement through Production, Packaging and Distribution as well as Sales and Marketing for Honibe® Canada. In addition, his duties include organizational design, strategic and financial planning and S&OP. Scott also serves as the primary liaison with the community and local government agencies. Prior to joining IAF, Scott held the position of VP, Engineering and Continuous Improvement at The Nature’s Bounty Company, the United States #1 provider of vitamins and supplements. In that role he was responsible for Engineering, Maintenance, Environmental Health and Safety, Project Management and the company’s TPM based Continuous Improvement Program. Prior to joining TNBC, he was the Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Early Management Pillar Leader for C&S Wholesale Grocers. In that capacity, he implemented TPM based Engineering tools in the design, construction and operation of fully automated mixed selection warehousing and distribution systems. In his previous role as Director of Engineering at Snyder’s-Lance, Scott was responsible for the Engineering and Maintenance functions over 13 manufacturing sites focused on project execution, equipment and infrastructure reliability and organizational development through the implementation of TPM tools. Scott also spent eight years at General Mills, holding multiple roles in Operations, Maintenance and Engineering. He began his career as a Nuclear Power Officer in the US Navy, successfully conducting two West Pack tours in the Arabian gulf onboard the USS CALIFORNIA (CGN 36) and defueled and decommissioned her two 250 MW nuclear reactors when the ship was retired. Scott earned a B.S. and M.S in Chemical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Scott lives on Prince Edward Island, with his wife, Kimberly and rescue pit bull Missy.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Pierre-Yves Cote, President of Vivanda Boreal

michael@meleblanc.co (Pierre-Yves Cote) — Thu, 9 Jun 2022 16:06:25 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April; for many, the first in-person event since the COVID era began two years ago.

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. These are their stories.

In this episode: Pierre-Yves Cote, President of Vivanda Boreal

About Pierre-Yves:

25 ans d’expérience en développement et gestion d’entreprise dans les secteurs agroalimentaires et manufacturiers, en investissement, transfert technologique, et développement des affaires à l’internationale. Pierre-Yves est le Président et fondateur de Stratexpert International, une firme d’investissement spécialisée sur l’Asie du Sud-Est. Il a aussi été le Président fondateur de Rocky Mountain Café Asia Pte Ltd, un groupe de 10 compagnies intégrées verticalement ayant son siège social à Singapour et impliquées dans la production et distribution de café aux Philippines.

Responsabilités

Fournir le leadership et la vision pour gérer Aliments Boréals dans les meilleurs intérêts de ses actionnaires. Assurer le leadership dans l’établissement des valeurs, des objectifs, des priorités, du plan stratégique et du plan d’affaires annuel de la Société en collaboration avec le Conseil d’administration. Diriger la croissance des activités de la Société de manière rentable et durable grâce à une équipe de professionnels tout en opérant de manière responsable sur le plan social et environnemental.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live at Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards with Darell Jones, President Save-On-Foods, Margaret Hudson, CEO Burnbrae Farms & Friends

Thu, 2 Jun 2022 08:39:18 +0000

This episode is recored live at the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards 2022 in Toronto June 1st with very special guest Darell Jones, President Save-On-Foods, Margaret Hudson, CEO Burnbrae Farms, Michael Graydon, CEO at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, the one and only Jim Slomka (episode picture credit to Jim!), and Errol Cerit, SVP FHCP.

We take the opportunity to congratulate and then chat with the CGP Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Darrell and Margaret, learn a bit more about them and their respective businesses and tap into their insights on the state of the food and grocery industry.

We also talk about food inflation, the state of palm oil, countries rationalizing their food supply, food inflation, automation and much more in this extended episode, our last live episode until the early fall.

To see the Finalists in the Canadian Grand Prix, and to see who took home the hardware click here.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Tracy Bell, Co-founder, Millennia TEA

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Wed, 25 May 2022 03:11:24 +0000

Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Tracy Bell, Co-founder + CEOCo-founder + CEO, Millennia TEA

About Tracy

My passion is helping fuel wellness. I'm a corporate exec turned entrepreneur after a health scare in the family. At Millennia TEA, we're going back to tea's origins, where it was enjoyed with leaves fresh from the plant. We're the creators of Fresh-Leaf TEA - real, raw, whole-food tea. Washed, instead of dried out. Flash frozen to safeguard more nutrients instead of heated and processed.

My background is journalism and PR. I love a good story, and believe relationships are core to everything worthwhile. Meeting amazing people and doing something that matters are what light me up.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Paige Wolfe, Peace River Honey

michael@meleblanc.co (Paige Wolfe) — Thu, 19 May 2022 17:55:35 +0000

Welcome to the first of several special bonus episodes celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. These are their stories.

In this episode, meet Paige Wolfe from Peace River Honey and their Hot Honey products!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Jacqueline Day, Founder & CEO, Real Treat Kitchen Ltd.

michael@meleblanc.co (Jacqueline Day) — Tue, 17 May 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April; for many, the first in-person event since the COVID era began two years ago.

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. These are their stories.

In this episode: Jacqueline Day, Founder & CEO, Real Treat Kitchen Ltd.

About Jacqueline:

As a working actor through my teens and twenties the immense pressure of the industry led me to develop a relationship to food that was less than healthy. Once food became the enemy it was easy to forget about the joy food can bring.

Rebuilding my relationship with food meant discovering it as an outlet for my own creativity while learning to embrace a balanced approach to food, and life.

During this time I became passionate about flavour, and a strong proponent of organic agriculture.

In my corporate career I exercised my ability to design processes and implement structures that create efficiencies, enabling teams to focus on what they do best.

These experiences paved the way to me founding Real Treat in 2014. It’s hard to imagine a job more creatively fulfilling and intellectually challenging than this, and I love it!
Creating and sharing delicious organic food that brings joy to peoples lives while supporting the health of our planet and ourselves is my purpose.

If you’re interested in a partnership or our products , send me a message!

Learn more and shop online at https://realtreat.ca/

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Restaurants Canada Trade Show Floor in Toronto

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 12 May 2022 08:56:45 +0000

Sylvain and I are recording live together at the Restaurants Canada trade show in Toronto. Thanks to the folks at Restaurants Canada for loaning us a great podcasting space right in the middle of the action of the big show!

We talk about the show, the largest of its kind in Canada, what we're hearing, and the hot trends in the restaurant business.

We also cover the latest inflation numbers in the U.S., supply chain challenges on baby food, the freight train of global famine heading towards us whether we realize it or not - and what the Canadian government can and should do about it.

We are also joined in the RC podcast studio by a special guest, Michael Hilton, representing Fitch & Leedes tonic waters/mixers, who brings Premium Pink and Premium Grapefruit tonic to help keep Sylvain, and me refreshed.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meera Sunny, Director of Research & Development and Ingredient Sales, CanMar Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Meera Sunny) — Thu, 5 May 2022 05:01:15 +0000

Welcome to the first of several special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!

Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April; for many, the first in-person event since the COVID era began two years ago.

We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. These are their stories.

About Meera Sunny

Director of Research & Development and Ingredient Sales, CanMar Foods

Passionate and business-oriented food science fanatic with working knowledge of food product development, alt proteins, food 3D printing, molecular biology, agriculture, nutrition, market research, QA and ingredient sales

About CanMar Foods

Think Big. Think Saskatchewan’s Flax.

CanMar Foods is the largest processor of food-grade flax in Canada and North America. We clean, roast, mill, package, and ship our roasted flax and roasted hemp seeds to consumers and wholesalers around the world. Watch to learn more about CanMar and how we’re leading flax production in Saskatchewan.

Shop CanMar on Amazon

https://amzn.to/3w5au6r

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

SIAL Honeymoon, Avian Flu Takes Off, Gardening and Garden Analogues, and Trying Stuff with PuraVida [poo-da-vee-da]

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 04:05:00 +0000

We're back from the SIAL food innovation show in Montreal, back from our honeymoon with amazing food and food creators from Canada and around the world! Be sure and check out our livestream from the show, and keep your eyes and ears open for all our bonus episodes recorded live in our podcast studio on the show floor!

In this solo episode we're talking about the North American avian flu outbreak, two new research releases from the Dalhousie Agri-Food Innovation Lab: 1 Million new Canadian gardening households, and Plant Based Still Expensive versus Meat.

For our Trying Stuff segment we try yummy frozen food bowls from PuraVida, which we don't quite pronounce properly in the show but that doesn't get in the way of tasting their great food!

We also talk about lab grown milk from Israel and Denmark, ReMilk, and how one single manufacturing plant could take 50,000 diary cows out of circulation, the entire dairy industry in Nova Scotia.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Federal Budget Missed Opportunities, Exclusive Interview with GURU CEO Carl Goyette, and Trying Stuff with PEI's Superfruit PUREe

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Goyette) — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 06:25:28 +0000

On this episode of The Food Professor, we talk about missed opportunities from the latest Federal Budget, the high cost of U.S. inflation and lobster, upcoming reports on gardening and the plant-based meat versus meat value equation, and the cease fire in the great chip war.

Our very special guest is Carl Goyette, president and CEO of Guru all natural energy drinks, and for our Trying Stuff segment we enjoy Superfruit PUREe from the great Province of PEI!

About Carl

Creative, optimistic and confident leader with +20 years of international experience and documented success in leveraging outstanding people leadership skills to build high performing teams. Proven track record at creating and executing transformational change strategies. Demonstrated success in strategic planning, marketing and sales to to generate profitable growth.

Key areas of expertise include:
• People Engagement • Effective Agency Partnerships • Strategic Brand Marketing
• Change Management • Sales Force Management • B2B & B2C Marketing

ABOUT GURU
GURU is a vibrant and fast-growing beverage company that pioneered the world's first all-natural energy drink back in 1999. The company markets GURU Energy Drink mainly across Canada and the US

Through its corporate philosophy and its beverages, GURU gives good energy for people to make great things, reminding that, with the right dose of will, inspiration and energy, achieving great results is within everyone's reach. The company has its head office in Montreal, Canada and sales offices in the U.S

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Stats Can's New Plan, Meat Processors in Quebec Court, our exclusive interview with Lyne Castonguay, President, Dairy, Saputo USA

michael@meleblanc.co (Lyne Castonguay) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 08:59:58 +0000

Live from Las Vegas the latest episode tackles changes in the way Statistics Canada measures the basket of food as part of its CPI index, a pending lawsuit in Quebec aimed at beef processors, and how getting Russian food products, or ingredients, off the grocery shelf may be harder than you think!

Our very special guest on this episode is Lyne Castonguay, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Division (USA), Saputo. An accomplished Canadian executive fluent in business strategies on both sides of the border, we talk to Lyne about culture (and not just yogurt!) and establishing a business that can take on the huge opportunity of the U.S. food service and consumer dairy business. With 29 dairy plants, an experience team and a roster of great new products, in a wide-ranging interview Lyne shares her plans for growth and success for all team members.

With Michael travelling on business out of the country we skipped Trying Stuff this episode but will return with more great products to test, share our insights and sample for lunch!

Relevant Links

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220316/dq220316a-eng.htm?HPA=1&indid=3665-1&indgeo=0

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/beef-giant-jbs-pay-525m-settle-price-fixing-82654864

https://globalnews.ca/news/8721936/quebec-class-action-beef-suppliers-price-fixing/

About Lyne

Lyne Castonguay graduated from the Université de Moncton with a Bachelor of Business Administration and furthered her education at Harvard Business School and Emory University. Lyne previously held executive positions with a major Canadian food retailer, as well as senior roles at a large retailer both in Canada and in the United States. She has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, retail, e-commerce and services. She joined Saputo in February 2021 as Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Division (USA). Following a successful transition period, Lyne was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Division (USA), on November 4, 2021.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Fertilizer Wars, Food Brands in Russia, Shelflation, our interview with Richard Scofield, President St-Hubert & Trying Stuff with Cowboy Coffee

michael@meleblanc.co (Richard Scofield) — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 06:13:37 +0000

Welcome to episode 44 - the second episode 44 ‘cause I messed up and last episode was actually episode 43 for those listeners playing along at home….

Our very special guest for this episode is Richard Scofield, Président et Chef de la direction at Groupe St-Hubert. We start by asking Richard to assess the health of the brand today versus your ambition for the business - are you at where you want to be as a team and leadership and in the minds of consumers. Next, Lots of chicken to be found in restaurants, but St-Hubert stand above the rest. If we think of serving a good chicken as table stakes form a strategy point of view in a chicken restaurant, what differentiators does the business have /do your pursue that contributes to their success. Then we talk risks to the business, franchisee governance, and products coming to a grocery shelf near you!

Blackstar Cowboy Coffee is our feature for the Trying Stuff segment this episode, thanks to Brian Potvin and the team at Food Innovations & something different, mystery Florida food!

We start the episode where we must - war in the Ukraine talking about the role of fertilizer, and how the global and Canadian marketplace is structured, and why the Middle East is in trouble now from a food security problem.

Burger Diplomacy: Let's go back in the time tunnel to the first McDonald's in Soviet Russia - 1990! George Cohen, all started with Soviet officials at the 1976 games in Montreal - To Russia with Fries!

St.Patrick's Day edition! Let's talk about the CETA trade agreement and it's relative success on both sides of the pond

A new Agri‑Food Analytics Lab report at Dalhousie University found that Canadians may have thrown away nearly $550 million worth of food in the last six months due to #shelflation. https://lnkd.in/dESEPUiP

Links

https://www.st-hubert.com/en.html

https://www.canpotex.com/

https://www.cbc.ca/archives/first-mcdonalds-moscow-1990-1.4980247

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/shelflation.html

About Richard

In October 2015, Richard Scofield was appointed President of Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert and in charge of the entire restaurant division for St-Hubert Group. Since joining the company, Mr. Scofield has had a fantastic career progression. Knowing how to rally teams around a common vision, Mr. Scofield developed strong collaborative leadership over the years and implemented various strategies that helped the network to achieve enviable results on the market.

Richard Scofield joined Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert in April 2004 as General Manager. For more than five years, his mandate was, among other things, to ensure the solid and healthy evolution of the Express concept. Since 2004, Mr. Scofield has succeeded in various leadership roles at the Head Office, from Supervisor for all corporate rotisseries to Assistant Director for Express locations. Within this role, Richard was responsible for ensuring the sound operations of all franchises and corporate Express locations, development and new openings of this concept.

In January 2010, Mr. Scofield became a Director of Operations and was responsible for all franchised and corporate rotisseries, new openings and recruiting franchisees. In November 2011, he was promoted to become the new Vice-President of Operations.

The one who came from a family of restaurant owners and was himself owner of Pizzédelic restaurants in the early 2000s was also mandated by RECIPE in December 2017 to manage the Harvey’s banner in Quebec. He joined St-Hubert Foundation Board of Directors as an Administrator since its creation and involve himself in several causes, especially the ITHQ.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

War Comes to the Global Food Supply Chain and Trying Stuff with Viveau

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 3 Mar 2022 05:23:37 +0000

In this episode war comes to the Ukraine and Sylvain and I discuss the global implications on the food system and supply chain of Europe's bread basket under attack. Check out this article Sylvain wrote and published.

Next, we Lay(s) our chips on the table and talk about the high stakes negotiations happening between Lays Potato Chips and Loblaws.

Our Trying Stuff segment features viv eau real fruit flavoured sparking water from Nova Scotia.

Last but not least on this solo episode, we discuss the choices and the path forward for restaurants across Canada.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Assessing Trade Damage, Inflation Nation, Special Guest Xavier Poncin from SIAL and Trying Stuff with GoGo Quinoa

michael@meleblanc.co (Xavier Poncin) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 07:00:31 +0000

Welcome to the food professor podcast episode 42!

In this episode, our Trying Stuff segment features GoGo Quinoa, in this episode lentil pasta and whaaaat…breakfast cereal! A reminder to the brands out there, just send us product and we try it, this isn’t paid or any any other way a promotional spot:

We have a great interview with Xavier Poncin, CEO of the food innovation show SIAL North America's biggest food-innovation trade show, MONTREAL APRIL 20 TO 22, 2022 • PALAIS DES CONGRÈS

Sylvain and I assess food movement across the border - the short and long term damage done with border blockades

Inflation nation! Three decade high, 3.4% - last time in 1991 we saw 5.1% food playing a significant role, as is the price of gasoline and shelter, with apparel on of the few moving backwards

We talk ButterGate Redux: Sylvain's academic paper published tells all!

About

CEO of Expo Canada France, SIAL Canada organiser, I like to call myself as a self-made-man with lots of luck.
After 2 years of international business school, I decided to quit studies preferring actions than theory, as I was showing on football field as the quarterback of the French national team, sports I played at the highest level in Europe for 17 years.
I started in the trade show business in 94 in Blenheim/Reed subsidiary at the lower level as sale assistant, then left the company to Join EXPOSIUM (COMEXPOSIUM now) in October 1997 where I started as junior sales manager for an international show dedicated to the Print industry, Graphitec 98.

I believe my work ethic and desire to succeed made me climb the ladder quickly and managed to become the international sales director in 2004 for one of the biggest international construction show in the world, Intermat.
My desire to get an international experience abroad was the next goal I wanted to achieve.
In 2008, the position of Executive Director of Expo Canada France in Montreal is offered for 3 years with 2 main goals, repositioning and redeveloping the SIAL brand in Canada.

Those 2 goals are now well achieved, thanks to great teamwork and team commitment, with since 2010, a stunning 90% of growth.

With this success, we made the decision with my iwfe to stay in Montreal in 2013 with our 2 kids, Valentine 15 and Thomas 10.
In 2016, I have been named and rewarded CEO of the company by our stakeholders for our accomplishment.
In january 2017, I have been honored « Chevalier de l’ordre du Mérite Agricole » by the French Minister of Agriculture, Stéphane Lefol, for what he said, my involvement and positive influence on the french international agrifood show brand, SIAL.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Rating the Health of the Food Supply Chain, Shelflation, Dana McCauley from the Canadian Food Innovation Network, and Good Food For Good on Trying Stuff

michael@meleblanc.co (Dana McCauley) — Thu, 3 Feb 2022 05:23:21 +0000

In this episode we start out with the Truckers Convoy and the Alberta blockade and how is this impacting government policy and the food system in Canada, Sylvain ranks the overall state of the food supply chain in Canada two weeks after the border vaccine mandate, "Shelflation" and a great interview with Dana McCauley, Chief Experience Officer from the Canadian Food Innovation Network

Our Trying Stuff segment this episode is with Good Food For Good foods, in this episode we’re trying their pasta sauces by food innovator Richa Gupta

Be sure and visit our Youtube channel and smash that subscribe button!

About

Dana McCauley is a value proposition driven innovator who has successfully launched many food products and programs in collaboration with domestic and international food companies and entrepreneurs.

Beyond her corporate experiences in marketing, product development and creative services, Dana brings not-for-profit and academic expertise to her role. She was the founding Executive Director for Food Starter, a Toronto based food business incubator and accelerator that was recognized with an Ontario Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. As Director of New Venture Creation at the University of Guelph, Dana enabled agri-food innovators to transform their inventions into innovations that grow the economy and enhances Canada's international reputation.

Dana has been a food media personality and keynote speaker. She is the President of the SIAL Canada Innovation Award jury. In 2017, Dana was recognized by WXN as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category.

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Supply Pain at the Border, Life on the Grocery Line with Author Adam Kaat, Trying Stuff, featuring Silver Swallow Luxury Kombucha!

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:28:30 +0000

For our 2022 season kick-off episode Sylvain and I talk about predictions for 2022, supply pain on 18 wheels at the border, food trade from Florida, being on the losing end of CUSMA trade tribunals, and chat with Adam Kaat, author of "LIfe on the Grocery Line". Next, we move to our fun segment Trying Stuff, featuring Silver Swallow luxury Kombucha!

Be sure and check out our YouTube site for bonus content and to see our very own version of Mukbang!

About

My name is Adam. I began working as a cashier, at high-end grocery store, in an affluent neighborhood at the beginning of 2020. By March the world was falling apart from the Coronavirus Pandemic. As I write this bio, not much has changed. We are still under quarantine.

I started “Life On The Grocery Line” as a way to deal with the turmoil I began to see unfold before me as the structures of American and Global society broke down. I hope you enjoy what you read and share with friends. But most of all I hope you are safe and healthy.

Facebook

@lifeonthegroce1 - Twitter

lifeonthegroceryline.com

https://www.amazon.ca/Life-Grocery-Line-Frontline-Experience/dp/1948903326/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=life+on+the+grocery+line&qid=1642673260&sprefix=life+on+the+g%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-1

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Top Food Industry Stories of 2021, plus Trying Stuff featuring JUST Egg

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 05:46:20 +0000

For our season finale Sylvain and I wrap a the year with a great discussion of the top food industry stores of 2021! From TimBeibs to supply chain pain to the year of the food worker, we have it all in a rich and wide ranging discussion.

We kick it off where we left off last episode - talking about Canada's Food Price Report and the media/public policy impact of the 2022 forecast. Next, we move to our fun segment Trying Stuff, featuring JUST Egg, a tasty plant-based egg product available in two formats.

Be sure and check out our YouTube site for bonus content and to see our very own version of Mukbang!

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canada's 2022 Food Price Report, Nourish 2022 Food Trend Report, and Trying Stuff with Cracker Barrel Signature Shredded Cheese!

michael@meleblanc.co (Jo-Ann McArthur) — Thu, 9 Dec 2021 06:19:17 +0000

Well if it sounds a bit different, it certainly looks different on our YouTube site - we’re together, live, in person for the first time every on our podcast!

And what an episode! Our special guest is Jo-Ann McArthur, President at Nourish Food Marketing back on the podcast to talk about her 2022 Trend Report, and on our Trying Stuff segment Cracker Barrel Signature shredded cheeses from our friends at Lactalis!

But first, let’s get to it - fresh off out of the lab, a year in the making, the smartest minds in food economics from four universities coast to coast, Canada’s 2022 Food Price Report!

Take us through the tradecraft, tell us how you did in terms of predicting 2021, and take us through the forecast for 2022

Next, Ontario government smackdown….Tim Hortons behind the scenes reveals concerns over staffing - Ontario Labour Minster says…just pay your people better….props to Ontario who eliminated what our guest last week Cory Mintz basically called the hold-over of a broken model - eliminating the sub-minimum wage rate for tip employees

Let's talk turkey - are you worried some Canadians might be deprived of their Holiday seasonal feast?

That’s a wrap - be sure and check out our YouTube channel for bonus content and to see us live here at the Clio Club in Toronto - smash that subscribe button, tell your friends and give us a review on your favourite podcast platform

We’ll be back next episode, our last of the year, with Trying Stuff featuring Just Egg and if all goes well our special guest will be the President of St. Hubert chicken to reveal whether he is a dunker or pourer of the gavy….

I’m Michael LeBlanc, president of Maven Media, host of the all new Last Request Barbecue YouTube show, and…

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Misunderstanding Salmon, Special Guest Cory Mintz and his new book The Next Supper, and a super episode of Trying Stuff with Sprague Soups

michael@meleblanc.co (Corey Mintz) — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 07:13:47 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 36, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

In this episode we talk about the latest research from the Dalhousie Agri-Food Analytics Lab and their Salmon Report, the potato crisis in PEI, updated on the Dairy Price Increase file, understanding the impacts to the food industry of the BC environmental crisis, and an exclusive opportunity for Sylvain to be on the other side of the mic with food critic, restaurant industry observer Cory Mintz all about his new book "The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them, and What Comes After".

If you liked what you heard you can follow us on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the grocery, foodservice, or restaurant industry.

Sylvain Charlebois

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

 Have a safe week everyone!

Reminder to everyone about our YouTube channel where you can watch the entire first part of our podcast with bonus content and the whole Trying Stuff segment

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Rising Cost of Dairy, the World on Your Plate and Truffle Pig Chocolate

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 36, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

In this episode we talk about the background behind the announcement by the Canadian Dairy Commission on an 8.4% increase in the cost of dairy for 2022 , the process (or lack thereof) behind it and Sylvain's concerns around the lack of transparency of the data.

We also look at sustainability on a plate…how avocados might not belong there, our fun Trying Stuff segment with Truffle Pig chocolates, and the Global Food Security index Canada is 24, U.S. is 20 - what does this even mean?

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

 Have a safe week everyone!

Reminder to everyone about our YouTube channel where you can watch the entire first part of our podcast with bonus content and the whole Trying Stuff segment

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Better Food Inflation data with Melanie Morrison, CEO BetterCart Analytics, and Trying Stuff featuring Fressy Bessie Ice Lollies

michael@meleblanc.co (Melanie Morrison) — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 07:54:50 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 35, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

In this episode our special guest is Melanie Morrison, CEO & Founder of BetterCart, an online grocery comparison engine that has some voodoo that captures prices on the shelves and enables retailers, brands and shoppers to compare prices, and for our popular new Trying Stuff segment, we have a fun selection of Ice Lollies from Fressy Bessie - 100% real fruit.

Reminder to everyone about our YouTube channel where you can watch the entire first part of our podcast with bonus content and the whole Trying Stuff segment

**

Inflation Nation: Are we capturing food inflation correctly?

Latest Research from Dalhousie Agri-Food Lab on Food Allergies

The Newfoundland and Labrador government plans to implement a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages next year, .20cents a litre, raising $9Million for health education

There isn't enough strawberries in strawberry pop tarts: alleges that the products contain more pears and apples than strawberries. The case asks for $5 million in relief. BTW, there are no plums in Plum sauce either, it's mostly pumpkin!

Weston sells majority of its bakery to FGF brands for 1.2Billion: what do we know about the purchasing company?

If you liked what you heard you can follow us on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the grocery, foodservice, or restaurant industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast and a bunch of other stuff, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

 Have a safe week everyone!

Melanie Morrison

I love working in the tech industry and in my capacity as CEO and Founder at BetterCart. BetterCart operates in the Food and AgTech space and is a big data company providing pricing data and advanced analytics to grocery retailers, manufacturers, and producers across North America. Creating disruptive technologies that help companies better understand their competitive landscapes, as well as the utility of price analytics and data science to enhance profitability, is what drives and inspires my team. Come see us at BetterCartAnalytics.com, or reach out directly anytime.

At BetterCart, we also use our technology for the local, better good. Based on our experience and observations, we know that comparing grocery prices across stores is hard to do, and that people end up spending too much money at the grocery store because they don't have adequate grocery price comparison tools. At BetterCart, we're addressing the price comparison tool deficit in the grocery space, and have developed a free price comparison web app called BetterCart.ca. Helping people save money at the grocery store so they can better meet their daily food and nutritional requirements is one of BetterCart's social impact goals.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Food Sustainability with Cher Mereweather plus Trying Stuff with Zoglo's Incredible

michael@meleblanc.co (Cher Mereweather) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 05:52:54 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 34, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

In this episode our special guest is Cher Mereweather President and CEO from the Provision Coalition, fantastic discussion on sustainability, up cycling, circular economy and the agri-food industry….and for our popular new Trying Stuff segment, we have a nice selection of plant-based product from Zoglo’s

Reminder to everyone about our YouTube channel where you can watch the entire first part of our podcast with bonus content and the whole Trying Stuff segment

Let's talk Turkey - how was your thanksgiving - turkey sales up, down or sideways

Wanted: the Elon Musk of cultured meat...or should I say Leonardo Dicaprio?!?!?

High End restaurant trouble - will they come back without the business clients in the near term...my idea for brining back the business clients

Higher prices...less food waste...is this my toast falling on the kitchen floor landing butter side up?!! "More than 35.5 million tons of perfectly good food are thrown out each year in Canada, enough to fill 319,000 Boeing 787 Dreamliners." Consumers account for 48% of it...

***

I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast and a bunch of other stuff, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

 Have a safe week everyone!

Cher Mereweather, Founder & CEO, Provision Coalition Inc.

Cher is one of Canada’s leaders in food and beverage industry sustainability.

She has dedicated her 20-year career to enabling food and beverage companies to embrace sustainability, purpose and circularity in order to create a more resilient food system, one company at a time.

Before founding Provision in 2012, Cher had established and directed the Sustainability Consulting Business Unit at NSF International and held executive positions with the Canadian agri-food think tank, the George Morris Centre. She was awarded the Canadian Grocer Generation Next award for leadership in sustainability and sits on the Board of Directors for the National Zero Waste Council and Birds Canada.

People can write to us: info@provisioncoalition.com, or check out our websites: repurposebyprovision.ca (RePurpose Incubator), upcyclefoodfest.ca (for the festival) or provisioncoalition.com if they want to learn more about who we are and what we do.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Fairtrade Canada CEO Julie Francoeur, the global food supply chain and Trying Stuff with Gin & Tonic

michael@meleblanc.co (Julie Francoeur) — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 04:17:05 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 33 I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Back on the mic together, so much going on - and in fact you and I were quoted in the same article yesterday - a first! All about supply chain…we’ll get to that a bit later…we’re going bananas over our great guest, Julie Francouer from Fairtrade Canada, and of course our very popular segment, Trying Stuff!

Julie talks about the evolution of fair trade, from its roots in the global coffee industry through to putting a variety of products on the shelves of engaged retailers and more and more customers every day. We talk about the process behind fair trade, how it benefits the communities who adopt it, and how consumers are increasingly both recognizing the impact their purchases have around the world and demanding choice in the product they buy.

Let’s jump right in…hot of the digital presses, new research from the Dalhousie Agri-Analytics lab! More than 2 Canadians in 5 have changed their behaviour to save money at the grocery store compared to 2020…I see switching behaviour, substitutions, format changes, Albertans reducing their purchase of meat…what did you learn with your partners at Caddle?

Let’s talk about the global supply chain issues and food…so what? Isn’t much of what we consumer made in North America, a truck drive away?

The upside of shrinkflation…less waste…will this be a call to action for consumers?

QR codes - the ugly little app that could..everywhere now, but you have privacy concerns?

******

If you liked what you heard you can subscribe on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the grocery, foodservice, or restaurant industry. I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of The Voice of Retail podcast and a bunch of other stuff, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

 Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Post-Pandemic Grocery featuring an exclusive interview with Serge Boulanger, SVP Metro

michael@meleblanc.co (Serge Boulanger) — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 08:20:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 32, back from our brief summer hiatus! I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

We’re back and we have a very special guest, Serge Boulanger, Senior Vice President Procurement & Corporate Brands at Metro Inc., BTW, be sure and check out our bonus episode with my interview with Vice President and Director, Metro’s Corporate Brands, Marie-France Gibson and Paula Deane

Serge talks about his rich background in marketing, sourcing and grocery, the brand and banner strategies for Metro, eCommerce expansion, dealing with pandemic and what /how Metro’s experiences during the COVID era has changed the way they operate and approach the business that is relentlessly customer focussed.

We have a whole new segment ….Trying Stuff…though we need a better title so if anyone has any ideas.

In this episode we cover off the latest research from the Agri-Foods lab looking into Canadians attitudes about produce

We talk about the federal Election and food/affordability issues, the cost of the tri-fecta - the spook point around beef, pork and chicken, and then we cook and review our very first product, Nabai foods Eggs!

Note: this product was given to us by the great folks at Nabati, but we are receiving no compensation for this review and are under no obligations related to the testing or results of the test.

If you are a brand and would like us to try your product please reach out to Michael via LinkedIn or on Michael@meleblanc.co

******

I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of The Voice of Retail podcast and a bunch of other stuff, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Vice President and Director, Metro’s Corporate Brands, Marie-France Gibson and Paula Deane

michael@meleblanc.co (Marie-France Gibson, Paula Deane) — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

The private label portfolio at Metro is extensive and was a top contender in Retail Council of Canada’s Canadian Grand Prix New Products Awards this year, taking home the hardware in several food and other categories.

In this special episode of The Food Professor podcast, we sit down with Marie-France Gibson and Paula Deane, the Vice President and Director of Metro’s corporate brands. Together, they illustrate the logistics and strategy behind managing such a vast brand portfolio - from team management to new product development.

Don’t miss their key pieces of advice and insights on emerging consumer trends in the grocer space.

******
Thanks for listening, and to see all the winners and their featuring products and learn more visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Véronique Blanchet, Product Manager at Groupe Biscuits Leclerc Inc

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

Biscuit Leclerc is a Quebec based institution on grocery shelves - 115 years of dedication to making cookies, snack bars, and crackers, this family business has become a true leader in the agrifood industry. Our guest is Product Manager Veronique Blanchet, a fairly new addition to the Leclerc team brining years of foodservice and product development experience. We talk about the new product development process, and delve into what makes their Canadian Grand Prix finalist product, the Go Pure Fruit and Oat bars, so unique and special

******

Thanks for listening, and to see all the finalists and learn more visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Season Finale: Part 2 of Our Interview with Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO Retail Council of Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Diane J. Brisebois) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:59:51 +0000

Welcome to the last episode of the season! Suited for a big finale, we have part two of our interview with the President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, Diane J. Brisebois.

Retail Council of Canada is the advocacy organization representing retailers from coast to coast, of all formats, including grocers. In this episode, Diane talks about the Code of Conduct, the grocery industry’s relationship to it and her own thoughts on the matter, as well the future of retail.

In food news this episode, we celebrate the impact of Canada's Food Price Report, discuss perspectives from both sides about Health Canada’s impending decision regarding glyphosate herbicides, and unwrap the “Made in Alberta, by Albertans” campaign.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.

He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.

Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Jenny Longo, Senior Director Private Brands, Culinary Innovation, and Central Kitchen at Longo's

michael@meleblanc.co (Jenny Longo) — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 03:13:51 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

This year Longo's, an Ontario based regional grocer, is celebrating 65 years serving Canadians with fresh produce, specialty fish and deli, and they are primed for growth with a new partnership with Sobeys

Jenny Longo is one of Canada’s leading grocers and developers of private label brand in the grocery industry - and with her family name on every product, you know there is more than meets the eye behind every launch.

Sylvain and I sit with Jenny and explore the inspiration behind the products submitted for the Canadian Grand Prix New Product awards, the winning product, and then talk about the goldilocks movements when it all comes together and the magic happens on the shelves and in consumers homes.

Thanks for listening, and to see all the winners and learn more visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Talking Sugar, Pork + Population Stats and Part 1 of our interview with Diane J. Brisebois President & CEO, Retail Council of Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Diane J. Brisebois) — Thu, 8 Jul 2021 08:22:38 +0000

This week on The Food Professor podcast, we dive into the latest news - hot off the grill!

Maple Leaf Foods is set to buy a selection of Canadian pig farms so we dig into what this backward integration means for the company from a strategic lens. We discuss consumer trends in the meat industry and Canada’s “trifecta” of proteins.

As it turns out - the kids aren’t alright. Sylvain voices his concerns about Britain’s intervention in marketing high-sugar and high-fat products to children. We talk about the fine line between oversight and overreach, and reflect on Canada’s efforts to regulated marketing in the food industry.

Join us for part one of our two part exclusive interview with Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO of Retail Council of Canada, one of the biggest trade associations in the country representing retailers coast-to-coast including the grocery sector. In part one we meet Diane and get to know her background, the organization's mandate and tradecraft, and important role in the political process and in Canadian's lives. Stay tune for part two of our interview in our next episode when we dive into grocery specific issues like the Code of Conduct!

Finally, the latest data on Canada’s demographics are reflecting some serious shifts in population growth. We talk about the impacts that this will have on the grocery sector and investigate solutions.

If you listen until the end, you’ll get the first look at the political party that we’re starting. You can’t miss some of the hilarious names that we come up with!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Stacie Sopinka, VP Own Brands at Sobeys

michael@meleblanc.co (Stacie Sopinka) — Fri, 2 Jul 2021 02:17:03 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

Stacie Sopinka, Vice President Own Brands at Sobeys might be relatively new to the grocery , but she arrives steeped in new product development expertise and joins a talented team with decades of experience developing products that stand out on the shelves and on consumers plates. Stacie talks about the art and science of new product development, touches on the big trends that are reflected in the products submitted for the awards, and in fact Sobeys took home the hard winning for their Compliments Naturally Simple Pork Sausages

******
Thanks for listening, and to see all the finalists and learn more visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

At the Tipping Point: Canadian Restaurants, Cannabis Edibles & Part Two of FHCP CEO Michael Graydon Interview

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Graydon) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 05:04:15 +0000

In part two of our interview with Michael Graydon, we talk about the code of conduct. The CEO of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada offers his unique perspective on the Canadian agricultural industries.

Further, my co-host Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and I cover the latest news and hottest topics across the Canadian food landscape.

How gratuitous is our gratuity? We take time to unwrap the latest data from the Angus Reid Group on tipping and shed light on the impact of Canada’s tipping culture across industries, and specifically, in restaurants.

As the crisis continues at the Exceldor poultry plant, the Ministry of Work in Quebec steps in. We talk about damaged control and revisit the labour dispute that is at the centre of this issue. Sylvain sheds light on the major stakeholders in Quebec’s poultry industry.

Finally - I ask Sylvain what he’d request for his last meal. Our menus might just surprise you!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube Channel where you can watch full episodes of The Food Professor Podcast, bite-sized highlights and everything in-between.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Drought on the Prairies, Lab Turkey, Regenerative Agriculture and Part 1 of our Interview with Michael Graydon, CEO at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Graydon) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 05:08:51 +0000

On this episode of The Food Professor podcast, my co-host Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and I unpack the sweet and sour of the latest news that’s shaping the Canadian food landscape. We also sit down with a very special guest, Michael Graydon, President of Food Health and Consumer Products of Canada to talk about the latest in sustainability and trends in part one of a two part interview.

The Food Professor is brought to you by omNovos - THE digital customer engagement solution for grocery and restaurant marketers helping you deliver personalized and segmented experiences at scale. Find out how you can get personal and grow sales by making EVERY customer interaction count with omNovos at www.realcustomerengagement.com

As drought hits the Canadian Prairies, Sylvain expresses his expansive concerns regarding North America’s water under the reality of the climate crisis. On the flip side, we talk about the latest promising agriculture innovations from biotech farming to McCain Foods’ recent commitment to regenerative agriculture practices.

From Christmas in July to chicken crises, Sylvain and I reflect on new alternatives to long-standing classics and the grim consequences of the supply chain issue faced by poultry processing plants. We cover the future of lab-grown meats and Sylvain explains just how this chicken processing plant issue happens.

Finally - is Newfoundland’s sugar tax as sweet as some advocates think? Sylvain talks about the successes and failures of sugar taxes around the world and methods for discouraging the consumption of sugary beverages.

As proud sponsors of The Retail Council of Canada’s 28th Grand Prix New Product Awards, we take a moment to celebrate the innovation that we saw and continue to see across the Grand Prix finalists and winners. We talk about highlights from this year’s gala and our predictions for next year’s line-up. Stay tuned for more interviews with finalists.

Michael Graydon

Michael is an accomplished CEO, with experience in both the public and private sectors. A proven brand builder with a history of generating compelling strategies generating significant top and bottom line growth. He has an extremely well defined ability to understand and serve consumer markets with improved and innovative products and services. Michael is a passionate leader, visionary and very creative in his approach to creating a very strong corporate culture and employee engagement.

Michael is the CEO of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP), formerly Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC). Under his leadership, FCPC merged with Consumer Health Products of Canada (CHP) in September 2020. FHCP is the voice of Canada’s leading food, health, and consumer products manufacturers. Our industry employs more people than any other manufacturing sector in Canada, across businesses of all sizes that manufacture and distribute the safe, high-quality products at the heart of healthy homes, healthy communities, and a healthy Canada.

Under his leadership, Food & Consumer Products of Canada merged with Consumer Health Products of Canada in September 2020 to create Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada.

As President of Parq Holdings Michael was responsible for the oversight and strategic business development plans for the development of the new Parq Resort in Vancouver. Mr. Graydon joined PHLP in 2014 after six years at BCLC where he led that company to become a recognized leader in the gambling and entertainment industry worldwide and was instrumental in the launch of the first regulated on-line gaming site in North America. Previously, Mr. Graydon held several senior roles in large corporations including Canada’s largest retail buying company Mega Group, food manufacturer J.D. Sweid, food retailer Sobeys, The Keg Restaurants and Carling O'Keefe Breweries. His community commitments have included his role on the Advisory Board of the School of Business and Economics at Thompson Rivers University; the Board of Directors of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation and the Board of Directors of Brand Source USA. He has also served as Vice Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and was the Co-Chair of the 2014 Grey Cup in Vancouver.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Sylvain Charlebois

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Avijit Bose, Director of Marketing at Reynolds Consumer Products Canada Ltd.

michael@meleblanc.co (Avijit Bose) — Thu, 3 Jun 2021 04:58:18 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

My co-host Sylvain Charlebois and I are thrilled to once again be supporting Retail Council of Canada’s new product awards this year as we both are big believers in supporting new and innovative products for the grocery shelves and beyond. The Food Professor is brought to you by omNovos - THE digital customer engagement solution for grocery and restaurant marketers helping you deliver personalized and segmented experiences at scale. Find out how you can get personal and grow sales by making EVERY customer interaction count with omNovos at www.realcustomerengagement.com

Reynolds Consumer Goods Canada is making room on the shelf for sustainability in the household goods market. In this interview, Avijit Bose, Director of Marketing, sheds light on Reynolds’ product development process, their devotion to consumers and their long-term commitment to the planet.

Across all Reynolds brands, from Alcan to Hefty, there is a clear and detailed commitment to understanding their consumers. So, it’s no coincidence that not one but three Reynolds products became finalists in Retail Council of Canada’s Grand Prix New Product Awards this year.

******

Thanks for listening, and to see all the finalists and learn more visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The COVID-Era Grocery Landscape: From Self-Checkouts to Food Autonomy

michael@meleblanc.co (Suresh Kolla) — Thu, 27 May 2021 05:31:58 +0000

With a post-pandemic future on the horizon, it’s time to look back on how the pandemic has been a disruptor in some of our most stubborn consumer spaces.

Dalhousie’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, headed by our very own Sylvain Charlebois, partnered with Caddle to conduct a series of reports on food processing, distribution and retail sales. With 16 months of the pandemic behind us, I sit down with Sylvain to unpack some of this data.

In this episode, we talk about the rejection and adoption (and, in some cases, even the re-adoption) of grocery store self-checkouts. We offer our insights on why the US is “cheesed” off at Canada and how it’s impacting the dairy industry. We also interview Suresh Kolla President of Nutrameltz, Orally Dissolving Supplements that are finalists in Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of The Voice of Retail podcast and a bunch of other stuff, stay tuned for our next episode with my partner Sylvain Charlebois!

Stay safe everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Tatiana Bossy, Co-Founder of Maison Le Grand

michael@meleblanc.co (Tatiana Bossy) — Fri, 21 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

Maison Le Grand brings 30 years of experience to the table in developing their plant-based product line. With a mission to center health, healing and the planet through food, Maison Le Grand has created a line of plant-based alternatives to everyday staples including pesto, cheese, yogurt - and now, butter.

Maison Le Grand’s vegan organic butter is a finalist in the Retail Council of Canada’s Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

In this episode Tatiana Bossy, Co-Founder of Maison Le Grand, emphasizes the importance of legible ingredient lists, reaching ‘plant-curious’ consumers, and the role of vegan butter in the plant-based revolution.

******
Thanks for listening, and good luck to all the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards finalists! To see all the finalists and learn more about the upcoming gala awards on June 3rd 2021 visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Award Spotlight: Kirk Homenick, President of Hardbite Chips

michael@meleblanc.co (Kirk Homenick) — Thu, 20 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

From farmer’s markets to grocery stores all over the world, Hardbite Chips has spent 20 years finding creative ways to stand out in the densely packed salty snacks category. Kirk Homenick, President of Hardbite Chips talks about the value of ‘clean labels,’ the importance of customer-first innovation, and what it looks like to source ingredients and inspiration locally.

As a proudly Canadian company, it’s no wonder that their Canadiana-inspired chip collection is a finalist in the Retail Council of Canada’s Grand Prix New Product Awards.

******

Thanks for listening, and good luck to all the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards finalists! To see all the finalists and learn more about the upcoming gala awards on June 3rd 2021 visit http://www.rccgrandprix.ca/

Be sure and check out our new YouTube channel!

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

1st Anniversary episode talking Canadians relationship with Beef, #buttergate v3.0, fair trade and our new Youtube channel!

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 13 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 26, our first anniversary episode! I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Lots to talk about this episode - a solo episode so lets get right to it….

First of all…Where’s the Beef! Latest Agri-Foods research out today telling us that 92% of Canadians enjoy beef, 65% consider themselves regular users…considering the kerfulfle of epicurious eliminated beef recipes, seems like the they are missing over 90% of the population…

Canadian Grand Prix New Products Awards Spotlight: Ahmad Yehya, CEO Nabati Foods

michael@meleblanc.co (Ahmad Yehya) — Thu, 6 May 2021 06:57:03 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

My co-host Sylvain Charlebois and I are thrilled to once again be supportting Retail Council of Canada’s new product awards this year as we both are big believers in supporting new and innovative products for the grocery shelves and beyond.

Nabati Foods Global, a plant-based food tech company based in Edmonton, offers whole, natural, plant-based foods for health-conscious consumers, including its plant-based Chick'n Burger, a finalist in this year's competition.

In this episode, we meet Nabati CEO Ahmad Yehya, who tells us all about the business, the product, and shares lessons learned developing and launching this innovative new product.

******

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Remarkable Grocery Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 25 I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

The Food Professor is presented by omNovos the digital customer engagement solution for grocery and restaurant marketers, helping you solve your customer’s most daunting questions: what should I eat today? Find out how you can get personal and grow sales with omNovos at www.realcustomerengagement.com

I’m crossing the streams as they would say in Ghostbusters in this episode Sylvain with our special guest, and my “other” podcast partner from the Remarkable Retail podcast Stevse Dennis! Top retail strategist, best selling author, and has just released the 2nd, all new updated edition of his book Remarkable Retail.

We’ll talk to Steve about what it takes for grocery retailers to compete, and some U.S. best in class examples from this Texas-based retail strategist.

But speaking of books and authors, let’s talk about your new book - Poutine Nation! Tell us all about your journey in writing the book and what it’s about

Let’s talk about your latest research from the Agri-Foods lab; weight gain, stress - what did you discover

So it’s April almost May, I wanted to check in on how your predictions for food price inflation from the Canada’s Food Price Report were shaping up - at, ahead, worse, better than predicted?

Couple of last things…anything notable in the Federal Budget that you would comment on for the Food Industry…seems like something for everyone so I’d b e surprised if there wasn’t a little-something something…

We have a special announcement - our YouTube channel is live!

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

Have a safe week everyone!

teve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available for preorder at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Understanding the Quebec food industry with Sylvie Cloutier, Présidente-directrice générale chez CTAQ

michael@meleblanc.co (Sylvie Cloutier) — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 05:55:43 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 24!

In this episode we welcome our special guest Sylvie Cloutier, Présidente-directrice générale chez CTAQ, the voice of the food industry in Quebec, and a long time a well respected voice in the industry.

We also talk about the passing of a Canadian grocery icon - Galen Weston, and examine his work and legacy. Next we talk about this documentary on Netflix - Seaspiracy and speaking of plant based diets- the Whopper Impossible burger launches in Canada. Next we talk about the stigma of processed food, and last but not least, my obsession with my latest BBQ, the Yoder Pellet Smoker!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Calgary Co-op CEO Ken Keelor's winning strategy

michael@meleblanc.co (Ken Keelor) — Thu, 1 Apr 2021 08:13:31 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 23!

In this episode we chat with our special guest Ken Keelor , CEO of the amazing Calgary Co-op, one of the last remaining big indie grocers left in Canada and a solid, diversified business owned by its members. The coop model is really powerful, particularly in Western Canada, and we'll learn more from this retail and grocery industry veteran.

I ask Sylvain about his favourite donut? Well if you had the chance a reminder to everyone to check out our bonus episode with Chris Schultz from Voodoo donuts….this indulgence is crazy…and do you see that Krispy Kreme is offering donuts for a vaccination!

We look at the Meat paradox, seafood DNA testing, Cannabis NB, and talk about upcoming research headed our way from the Dalhousie Agri-Foods lab!

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

If you liked what you heard you can follow or subscribe on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the grocery, foodservice, or restaurant industry.

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Secret Ingredient behind the success of Portland's Voodoo Doughnuts

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 06:37:21 +0000

Welcome to a special Restaurants Canada bonus episode of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode I’m live in Portland chatting one-to-one with Chris Schultz, CEO of Voodoo Doughnuts, fresh off the main stage at the RC Show. With more than three decades of restaurant industry experience with beloved brands built on a strong culture, we talk about the tricky business of growing a business and at the same time keeping the unique culture in place that makes them great.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Top Chef /Restaurateur Carl Heinrich talks COVID dining trends, coming out the other side, tips included

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 22 I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

We’re recording this on St. Patrick’s Day, so celebrating the Irish today! Sylvain and I talk about the big news with Empire /Sobeys buying Longo's, the well regarded Ontario regional grocer. How does this change the landscape for consumers, stakeholders and what does it mean for the Canadian grocery industry. Next we talk about Dairy Farmers of Canada statement around transparency behind their review process, and then we get to our great interview with Chef Carl Heinrich, owner of Toronto restaurant Richmond Station and talk about the current and future state of the sit down dining industry, and the economic and social justice imperative behind the Hospitality Included movement.

Last we review the latest Dalhousie Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, in partnership with Caddle, report about consumer confidence on our food industry, one year after the pandemic began. At the end of February 2021, a total of 10,005 Canadians were surveyed on confidence1 and satisfaction of the food industry. Results, overall, were quite positive for the food industry.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Restaurant critic Alexandra Gill dishes on her tradecraft and the future of the industry

michael@meleblanc.co (Alexandra Gill) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a special Restaurants Canada bonus episode of The Food Professor podcast!

In this episode Michael chats one-to-one with Alexandra Gill, The Globe and Mail’s Vancouver based restaurant critic fresh off the virtual stage at the big RC Show. In a wide-ranging conversation talking about her history as a journalist, the tradecraft of being a restaurant critic, and how consumers and the industry may (and in some cases must) change coming out of the COVID era.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Exploring Canada's retail dairy market with Mark Taylor, President & CEO Lactalis Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Mark Taylor) — Thu, 4 Mar 2021 09:54:58 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 21, I’m Michael LeBlanc along with Sylvain Charlebois!

Well Sylvain episode 21 - I guess we’re an adult now! And we have a fantastic guest for this episode, Mark Taylor, President and CEO of Lactalis Canada! Great timing, we have so much to talk about, they just closed their deal for Agropur’s yogourt business, We talk about his stellar career in the dairy industry - starting where it all begins, with dairy cows - his global experience in the industry, perspectives around the Canadian business and industry and the trends, innovations and path forward in Canada

We jump right in….with #Buttergate - the past two weeks events, and the learnings and implications to the dairy industry and beyond.

We also talk about McCain's investment in vertical farming, and cricket farms for protein in London, Ontario.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

We expose "Buttergate", plus Restaurants Canada President & CEO Todd Barclay on how the industry survives to serve again

michael@meleblanc.co (Todd Barklay) — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 09:09:22 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 20, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

We have an another action-packed show today featuring a special guest Todd Barclay, President & CEO of Restaurants Canada, a veteran foodservice industry executive who took over the reins of Canada’s top restaurant and bar advocacy association in the midst of what is without a doubt one of the most channeling times in the industry

We spend most of the episode on "Buttergate" - what is going on, how did Sylvain uncover it - Palm Oil being added to dairy cows feed to increase dairy fat content? Plus the ruckus with Indian farmers.

Todd Barclay is an executive with extensive general management, sales, marketing, supply chain, mergers & acquisitions, real estate development, franchising, design and operations experience. A strong leader and communicator with experience in change management and a proven ability to empower, motivate and develop employee teams to drive top-line increases and enhance bottom-line results.

Visit the RC Show site to learn more and register for Restaurants Canada big event, featuring Sylvain as a speaker along with though leaders from across the restaurant industry.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

How will the Biden Administration impact Canada?

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 18, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

After four long years of the Trump administrations nationalistic economic agenda, we discuss the economic impacts #46 will have on Canada’s industries. From agriculture to oil and gas, Biden is set to shake up much of America’s economic policies that can have both negative and positive effects on us here at home.

“…the fact that Biden is going to is going to commit to the Paris Agreement, it could actually give a

chance to our own agriculture and get to become more competitive or at least relatively

speaking to be as competitive as they are as American agriculture. That's so that that could help…”

We discuss the some of the most pertinent issues facing the country, and the most important things to look for in the first few months of the Biden presidency.

In addition, we look at the ins and outs of the Alimentation Couche-Tard offer to buy France based global powerhouse grocer Carrefour group, Starbucks closing of 300 location and what opening in the wonderful town of Truro in Nova Scotia means, and a glimpse of upcoming research from the Lab.

******

Thanks again to the folks at omNovos for being our presenting sponsor!
If you liked what you heard you can subscribe on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the grocery, foodservice, or restaurant industry. I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of The Voice of Retail podcast and a bunch of other stuff, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Have a safe week everyone!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Starting 2021 where it all begins - on the farm - with the new face of farming, Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 7 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 17, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois! The Food Professor is brought to you by omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. Start the new year with the gift of a personalized experience for your customers in 2021. Find out how you can Get Personal and Grow Sales with omNovos at www.realcustomerengagement.com

Welcome back - our first episode of 2021, and back with a premier sponsor - special thanks to Andrew Armstrong and Alanna Leeks and the great folks at omNovos - long time listeners and supporters of the podcast and a very savvy customer data management organization, based in my home town of Ottawa.

In this episode we're starting the new year where it all begins - on the farm with Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel. Born and raised on the Saskatchewan prairies (Mossbank, to be exact), Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel is passionate about her life as a farmer, being a wife to David, and a mother to Claire and Addison. Get to know her better and you’ll learn that she’s got two post-secondary diplomas (Agricultural Business and Finance), has sat on countless boards, speaks at major events and conferences, and loves breaking down barriers between farmers and city-dwellers.

Today, in addition to taking an active role on the family farm, she’s a confident and dynamic public speaker, sharing stories about life on a modern-day farm as only she can. Her smart, humorous and myth-busting approach has made her a go-to resource for keynote speaking and media insights.

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Behind the scenes of Canada's Food Price Report 2021 with special guest Simon Somogyi, Arrell Chair in the Business of Food at The University of Guelph

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

On this episode we welcome a very special guest a fellow academic and respected authority in Food economics Simon Somogyi, Arrell Chair in the Business of Food and Associate Professor School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, University of Guelph, and importantly a co-author of Canada’s Food Price Report

On this episode we go behind the scenes and discover the incredible network of academics and contributors to Canada's definitive and detailed report on the forecasted cost of food, Canada's Food Price Report 2021.

We also chat about Sylvain's testimony to the Canadian parliament on the food industry last week, and the rise of special meats, particularly Bison.

******

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Jo-Ann McArthur, President of Nourish Food Marketing discusses her 2021 Food Trend Report plus we explore domestic food manufacturing and the resiliant food supply chain

michael@meleblanc.co (Jo-Ann McArthur) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 08:29:12 +0000

Let's talk about the food supply now that we're in the second wave - some good news with more beer like Stella and Corona being made in London, and ketchup being made in Quebec (not yet tho with Canadian tomatoes!). What is your level of concern or optimism that the supply chain will continue to hold fast for the rest of the COVID era?

Speaking of COVID, hate to burst your bubble but looks like you have an outbreak in Halifax - catch us up - what is going on, and what if any restrictions are now facing restaurants, bars and grocery stores

Wanted to ask you what is gong on in Nova Scotia and online food ordering - highest in the nation at 20% - is that all those people keeping safe in their 14 quarantine?

Special Guest: Jo-Ann McArthur, Nourish Marketing and Nourish 2021 Food Trend Report

Last couple of questions, thought we'd end on a high note - we haven't talked weed lately - lots of deals happening High Tide buys Meta, Fire & Flower buys Friendly Stranger....seems like the race for space-ed out has been replaced by a race for scale

You must be excited and or exhausted - your annual Canada's Food Price Report 2021, December 8! Can you give our loyal listeners a sneak peak, first how on earth in a year like this you adjust the model to forecast, and then any hints on what we'll be hearing in December?

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Peter van Stolk, CEO at FoodX Technologies and Spud.com talks grocery eCommerce growth and selling Canadian technology to the word, exploring a Biden White House plus the Clearwater-Mi’kmaq First Nations deal

michael@meleblanc.co (Peter van Stolk) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 05:40:39 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 13, the Baker’s Dozen episode! I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Online shopping and grocery research: 4.2MM Canadians new to online shopping for food - any surprises? Access the research here from the Dalhousie Agri-Foods Lab.

Seeing the Clearwater deal - explain who Clearwater is, their importance to Halifax lobster industry - a handful of east coast Mi’kmaq First Nations big players in the Atlantic Canada fishery also risks further inflaming deep divisions in the region’s lobster industry. https://financialpost.com/commodities/clearwater-seafoods-sold-in-1-billion-deal-that-will-see-mikmaq-communities-own-50-per-cent

Any early thoughts on the impact to our food industry on a Biden presidency in the U.S - good, bad neutral.... already have a negotiated trade deal....didn't hear much on the campaign trail ...U.S. might join the Trans Pacific Partnership...maybe even CETA?

Protein burger wars - McDonald's McPlant, Pizza Hut ads meatless option, Beyond Meat Stock Gets Slaughtered as Earnings Miss Expectations in a Beyond Big Way...what's happening!!!

Our very special guest: Peter van Stolk, CEO at FoodX Technologies and Spud.com

An upstream battle for GMO Salmon: https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/6186/federal-court-declares-genetically-engineered-salmon-unlawful

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Julie Denton, Chief People Officer at Recipe Unlimited and BOD at Restaurants Canada is our guest as we chat Supply Management in dairy and the zen of buying local

michael@meleblanc.co (Julie Denton) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Food Professor podcast episode 12, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Let's Moo-ve on, the Agri-Foods Lab at Dalhousie University issued a study on the Dairy Industry and Supply Management - there is a lot to unpack in this work - from how Canadians are essentially paying twice, to a call-out for reform to save the industry - take us through the key findings and recommendations

Getting local - study on local food - will consumers pay a premium, do they care if their fruits and veggies are grown on a farm or in a greenhouse, funny to me that people said "onions" as the number two ranked item to pay a premium for local - clearly the impacts of the recent recall fiasco

Downtown Challenges - only 10% of the office workers are back at work in the Toronto Core - big changes coming for the coffee industry!

Maple Leaf...doing well, which I'm kinda surprised at given the shutdown of foodservice - their plant based protein division grew almost 10%

Heinz starts a ghost kitchen - looking to learn...is this a sign of things to come - is this brands pushing into the DTC model beyond restaurants and grocers?

Next research report - Nov 12th - sneak peek - online food ordering - any teasers?

******

If you liked what you heard you can subscribe on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the grocery, food service, or restaurant industry. I’m Michael LeBlanc, producer and host of The Voice of Retail podcast and a bunch of other stuff, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Tareq Hadhad, CEO and Founder of Peace by Chocolate is our special guest, plus pandemic gardening research, Chile food fraud, and remembering Percy Schmeiser

michael@meleblanc.co (Tareq Hadhad) — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 07:48:56 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 11, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Tilling the rich media soil: 1 in 5 Canadians started gardening during the pandemic - Sylvain take us through the latest research results from the Dalhousie Agri-Foods lab, and what does this mean for grocers and 2021?

A chilling (or is that Chile) tale of food fraud: talk about the organic raspberry scandal, the scale and scope of food fraud of this sort overall, what your/the Lab's role was in the detective work and any lessons learned on how to catch these criminals

Our special guest: Tareq Hadhad CEO and Founder of Peace by Chocolate! We talk to Tareq about his family’s story that is nothing short of incredible. An amazing journey of love and hope chronicled in the new book, Peace By Chocolate.

We ask Tareq how has his experience influenced how he runs the company in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, about how PBC has gone to market, and about the process getting onto the shelves at specialty retailers and a major Canadian retailer like Sobeys

Sylvain wants to know what is so special about Syrian chocolate? What’s unique about the products?

Next we talk about the Federal Government moving to ban single use plastics - what comes next for the restaurant and take-out sector

And Sylvain remembers the late Percy Schmeiser as we discuss the new movie Percy, staring one of my fav. actors Christopher Walkin about a Saskatchewan farmer, canola and Monsanto

Other movies about farmers:

Field of Dreams

Interstellar

The Martian

Finally a Sneak Peek: Canadians shopping and paying for local produce - next study release from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Supply Chain 2.0!

******

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Senator Rob Black talks about life in the Chamber of Sober Second Thought and agriculture policy, plus food security and restaurants in the next wave of the pandemic and the joy of home gardens

michael@meleblanc.co (rob black, Sylvain Charlebois) — Thu, 1 Oct 2020 05:43:01 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 10, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Keep calm and carry on, wave two crashes into Quebec and Ontario - and why is it paper towels first?!?!?!? Is the food supply safe - should we panic should we be worried? How are retailers and the supply chain getting ready? https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/a-good-citizens-guide-to-preparing-for-the-second-wave/?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1600978926

News doesn't get any better for bars and restaurants - here Ontario medical director says just close them: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/video/restaurants-bars-and-gyms-are-really-out-of-the-question-right-now-emergency-physician~2043052. ....but Restaurants Canada says 86% of Canadians don't want restaurants shut down...and are asking for U.K. style incentives

Special Guest: Senator Robert Black https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/black-robert/

What is it like to testify - 8x - do they ask the tough questions? Liked the point why political, they have a much longer lens so they can be much more substantive and avoid what we witnessed in the "hero pay" testimony by the big Canadian grocers

Grocery Bill getting bigger? Insights coming out of the work towards the latest Canada Food Price report in December?

Almost ready for harvest - Sneak Peek - next up in the Agri-Food Analytics Lab research: home gardening

******

Thanks to Senator Rob Black for being our guest on this episode of The Food Professor podcast!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Margaret Hudson, President at Burnbrae Farms and 2020 Golden Pencil award recipient is our special guest and we talk eggs, California wildfires impact on the food supply in Canada and the second wave

michael@meleblanc.co (Margaret Hudson, Sylvain Charlebois) — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 04:05:22 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 9, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

Back to School Professor! How will your work life be different, what does university life look like for your students, and what does that mean for the foodservice industry that takes care of feeding tens of thousands of students coast-to-coast?

Winter is coming. Patio season is almost over for most of Canada - what comes next for the restaurant industry: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/patio-season-over-restaurants-pandemic-1.5712856 . The news keeps getting worse for the sector (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6936a5.htm?s_cid=mm6936a5_w) talk about how the restaurant economy can be saved, or at least is worth saving and what New Brunswick is doing to help: https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2020/9/dont-want-to-save-the-restaurant-industry-fine-but-use-it-to-save-the-economy

Special Guest: Margaret Hudson, President Burnbrae Farms: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-hudson-521a7a9/

Nobody panic, its the second wave: assess the stability, durability of the food supply chain as we (may or may not) be heading into a second wave

Lets talk about the weather in California/Oregon - how will wildfires and other challenges in California impact Canadians and the food supply

Whats Poppin?!? The Popeye's Chicken sandwich is about to hit Canada and it's a big deal! https://www.680news.com/2020/09/14/the-popeyes-chicken-sandwich-is-finally-available-at-all-canadian-restaurants/. Factoids: Popeyes sold 203 million chicken sandwiches in the past year; Texas sold the most chicken sandwiches in the last 12 months; and the most sandwiches sold by one store in one day was 3,582 sandwiches on November 3, 2019.

******

Thanks to Margaret Hudson from Burnbrae Farms for being our guest on this episode of The Food Professor podcast!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Meet Cheryl Haskett, Albert Borgo and Lisa Mina, three award winning food entrepreneurs from the 27th Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards

michael@meleblanc.co (Lisa Mina, Albert Borgo, Cheryl Haskett) — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 21:58:29 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode No. 2 of The Food Professor!

My co-host Sylvain Charlebois and I were thrilled to support Retail Council of Canada’s new product awards this year as we both are big believers in supporting new and innovative products for the grocery shelves and beyond.

In this episode I interview three of the winners with a nice variety of products for Canadians and great origin stories.

First up Cheryl Haskett, Founder and CEO of Udderly Ridiculous Inc. takes us into the world of her amazing goat’s milk ice cream and the inspiration and opportunity to introduce Canadians to exotic, special and complimentary flavours with her category creating treat.

Next, Albert Borgo from Quality Cheese, a family owned and operator creator of bespoke cheese in Ontario shares the inside story behind the creation of his award winning Bon Secret Cheese,

Finally Lisa Mina Founder of Goodums Food Inc. introduces us to her nutritious award winning bake mix, created with her expertise in nutrition science, taste profiles and grocery retail to fill a much-needed gap on the shopping lists of Canadians coast-to-coast.

******

Thanks to Cheryl, Albert and Lisa for being my guests on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor podcast!

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Lori Nikkel, President of Second Harvest on food rescue & insecurity in the COVID era, plus breaking news research and bottom feeder politics

michael@meleblanc.co (Sylvain Charlebois, Michael LeBlanc, Lori Nikkel) — Thu, 3 Sep 2020 07:57:30 +0000

Latest research: thinking about plastics and sustainability and the impacts on consumers of the pandemic:

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/plastic-food-packaging--before-and-after-covid-19.html

Research Hot off the press: food waste during the pandemic - more at home? Does online shopping and meal kits = less waste?: https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/household-organic-food-waste---covid-19.html

Bottom Feeder politics; what's going on with our friend the Lobster and the U.S.? :https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/trump-turns-an-election-year-eye-on-canadian-lobster-1.5704491

Special Guest: Lori Nikkel, President Second Harvest

Is this the end of the buffet restaurant format? Toronto's Frankie Tomato goes out with class: https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/frankie-tomatto-s-gives-away-1-000-pizzas-to-thank-customers-for-25-years-1.5085089

** and others like Mandarin try to navigate their "high risk" status in Ontario of phase 3: https://mandarinrestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/FINAL-Return-to-Dine-In-Letter-James-Aug-13-1-pm.pdf

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Cara Keating, President PepsiCo Foods Canada is our special guest, the end of tipping, impact on foodservice when we work at home, talkin' 'bout my COVID generation

michael@meleblanc.co (Cara Keating) — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 06:50:43 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 7, I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!

In this episode:

Latest research: the impact of millions of Canadians working from home on the food service and restaurant industry

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/covid-19-telecommuting.html

Do you have any tips for restaurants?: Should tips be automatically added to the bill? Is the concept of tips part of the entire restaurant industries problem? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-heres-a-tip-its-time-to-discuss-how-we-pay-workers-in-the-service/

Less is more: how can grocers keep their assortment fresh in a global pandemic

Our Special Guest: Cara Keating, Pepsico Foods Canada

Movement on the local food-farm gate movement: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/meat-alberta-farmers-butchers-government-1.5669951?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar

T-t-t-talking 'bout my COVID generation: how growing up in a pandemic effects your perspectives on food; now or forever?

Crying over food safety returns - where is there opportunity to improve the food recall process?

Nobody here but us chickens: Canada's new initiative to move perishable food through to food banks: https://www.cp24.com/news/chicken-eggs-both-go-first-as-feds-roll-out-covid-19-food-surplus-program-1.5062880

Thanks to Cara Keating for being our guests on this episode of The Food Professor podcast!

Have a safe week everyone!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Jessica Wright from Montpak's Family Fontaine the "All Canadian" category winner and visionary chef Marcus Von Albrecht on the Canadian Grand Prix new product awards 2020!

michael@meleblanc.co (Marcus Von Albrecht, Jessica Wright) — Thu, 6 Aug 2020 17:38:50 +0000

Welcome to the Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards bonus episode of The Food Professor!

In this episode I interview visionary chef Marcus Von Albrecht who has overseen the judging process behind Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards for over 20 years, and we talk about the trends he’s seen over the past decades, thoughts on the products this year and trends for the future.

We start this bonus episode with and exclusive interview with Jessica Wright, Director of Marketing from Quebec’s Montpak. Jessica takes us through their new Family Fontain line of veal products and what it took to get this new brand created, into the to market onto grocers shelves and consumer’s dinner tables and ultimately winning one of the top specialty awards - the All Canadian award!

******

Thanks to Jessica and Marcus for being my guests on this episode of The Food Professor podcast!

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Solange Ackrill, Vice President Club Coffee brews up insights on the coffee industry plus titan testimony de-brief, Voila unpacked and research on insect protein and more!

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:55:31 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor, episode No. 6 - I’m Michael LeBlanc along with Sylvain Charlebois!

Channeling Cher:If I could turn back time: the Titans of Canadian grocery testify aka how do I get my two hours back?

Voila at my doorstep - the debrief - great experience unpacked!

Tackling Food insecurity with innovation: Can I sell you a cucumber greenhouse in New Brunswick? Is there a path now for innovation in growing fresh food in Canada at scale? Greenhouses? Vertical Greenhouses? Sobeys is growing fresh right in the store... (https://progressivegrocer.com/sobeys-safeway-thrifty-foods-adding-store-hydroponic-farms) and Vertical Farming/home gardens: https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/vertical-farming-could-help-agriculture-meet-food-supply-needs-337416#.Xw8Ig-J2_No.twitter

Pandemic Pantry: Did COVID-19 save the centre of the aisle, and one thing in the kitchen you can't live without?

Our very Special Guest: Solange Ackrill https://www.linkedin.com/in/solangeackrill/

Vouchers for Restaurants: clever strategy or good money after bad?

Feeling Boxed In? Is Box'd a solution to restaurant COVID-19 economics? https://torontolife.com/food/paramount-mohamad-fakih-on-boxd-canadas-first-fully-automated-restaurant-automat/

Something about your latest research is bugging me...when you asked people is all your hear is crickets...London launches huge cricket farm...research tells us up to 20% would be open to eating bug protein!!

Sneak Peek: The great urban shift and grocers/restaurants....the shot glass half full - it make our cities younger and more affordable... retailers and grocers.think differently about what you offer? Stay tuned for the numbers next episode!!

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Exclusive interview with Sarah Joyce, SVP Voila by Sobeys, Canada's newest grocery eCommerce launch

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc, Sarah Joyce, Sylvain Charlebois) — Thu, 9 Jul 2020 04:24:36 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor, episode No. 5 - I’m Michael LeBlanc along with Sylvain Charlebois!

Glass half full & CUSMA: who wins in the food industry/sector?

Double Double tracking trouble: Tim's mobile app knows where you've been.... See: https://business.financialpost.com/technology/tim-hortons-app-tracking-customers-intimate-data

Canada's Food Price Report goes national for 2021! Canada’s Food Price Report is going cross-country. Jointly released by long-time collaborators Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph, the 2021 project team will include the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia. “We’re going national!” says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director at the Agri-Food Analytics Lab and the report’s lead author. “When we started this project a decade ago, we always wanted to make it fully Canadian and have institutions across the country contribute. We now have four very strong institutions joining forces. With COVID-19, it’s going to be challenging to forecast food prices this year, so we need all the help we can get.”

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food.html

Despite being a world source of the ingredients, Canada lags on the final, value add product. Where are we on a strategy to address this opportunity

What ever happened to peace, love and sustainability? The return of plastic bags - a reality for the COVID-19 era? Sobeys and other retailers announce resumption of BYOBag

Welcome to PEI, have a bag of potatoes!

Our Special Guest: Sarah Joyce, Senior Vice President, Voila by Sobeys talks about the launch of Canada's newest grocery eCommerce offering, and the power of the OCADO partnership and her new team to deliver an awesome experience on the doorstep.

Immigration consults, demonstrations, closed farms...COVID & Migrant Labour the issue that isn't going away

Party on the Patio: restaurants across Canada can serve customers on patios, but let's not get too excited...the industry remains in deep trouble despite this and other innovations. Is the restaurant industry missing an opportunity for a customer expectation re-set?

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The hot potatoe of increasing food prices, costs and "gift" of COVID-19 and guest David Marcott from Kantar talks grocery tech trends

michael@meleblanc.co (David Marcott) — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 05:17:11 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor, episode No. 4 - I’m Michael LeBlanc along with Sylvain Charlebois!

Hot potatoe issue: Stats. Can reports some pretty startling numbers for increases cost of some products - what's going on here?

Carrots, 29%
Macaroni, 19%
Potatoes, 16%
Canned soup, 15%
Canned tomatoes, 11%."

You say new NAFTA I say CUSMA, crying over spilled milk, impacts on the dairy and other sectors of the new agreement coming into force July 1, 2020

Totally Baked Idea: from illicit to essential for retail cannabis - has the Zamboni era of recreational cannabis really begun? April saw month/month slight drop, but year over year, wow dude lots of growth!

Sizing up the increased COVID operating costs: Maple Leaf says its $20 million: See https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-maple-leaf-foods-says-coronavirus-costs-will-add-up-to-20-million-to/

And Voila - Sobeys gets in the eCommerce game with a huge investment with OCADO

Check out the Saputo fridge, DTC for consumers in Quebec: https://lefrigosaputo.ca/

Food Fraud on the rise - another gift of COVID-19?

Very first special Guest: David Marcott, SVP Cross-Industry/Cross-Border and Technology at Kantar Consulting joins us to talk retail tech innovation and balance sheet strategies of the big grocers preparing for the COVId-19 era https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmarcotte/

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Exclusive Canadian COVID-19 restaurant research, the complicated issue of Hero Pay, pandemic on the farm

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc, Sylvain Charlebois) — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 04:05:03 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor, episode No. 3 - I’m Michael LeBlanc and I’m Sylvain Charlebois! Let’s jump right in…

Your table is ready! New research in partnership with Angus Reid into consumer perceptions around restaurants and COVID-19 revealed a few surprises and one delight; many Canadians continued to support their local restaurants as best they could with take out, but are split down the middle whether they will be spending much time eating out in the COVID era. But apparently when they do eat out they want mannequins to fill up the seats!!

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/restaurants-post-covid-19.html

New segment!! Ask the Professor: Submitted Listener Question and Answer

Ask a question online at: https://www.speakpipe.com/AskTheFoodProfessor

The complicated issue of Hero Pay: Can retailers sustain it? Will consumers pay for it? Is technology at retail the answer?

Ontario Farms: the new Pandemic Hot Spots - is there a solution, and is importing migrant workers a farming tradition the makes the best use of resources available? Will this result in shortages of fresh vegetables for Canadians?

See articles:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-farms-struggle-to-contain-covid-19-as-migrant-workers-test/

https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/scotlynn-pulls-plug-on-asparagus-harvest/wcm/25a3dc86-557e-4d7d-bd3a-9267c4d8a549/

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/06/08/pandemic-makes-problems-of-migrant-farm-workers-worse-report-says.html

https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2020/06/09/spike-in-covid-19-cases-among-migrant-workers-in-southwestern-ontario.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=QueensPark&utm_content=spike-in-covid-19-cases-among-migrant-workers-in-southwestern-ontario&utm_source=twitter&source=torontostar&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=&utm_campaign_id=&utm_content=

Will the increased cost of meat and potential shortages take plant-based protein Beyond a niche? Is there a broader movement at foot...is as a recent article in the NYT a movement that reflects the " inevitability of impending change". (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/opinion/coronavirus-meat-vegetarianism.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage) the future?

This episode is dedicated to two great story tellers that made us aware of the importance of restaurants and food in our culture and both left us better off for being with us. Anthony Bourdain gone now two years this week and Charles Dickens, 150 years ago this week as well.

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Consumer perspectives on farmgate euthanasia, fixing supply management's shortcomings, increasing cost of food and the Feds support for the Fisheries

michael@meleblanc.co (Sylvain Charlebois, Michael LeBlanc) — Thu, 28 May 2020 04:05:04 +0000

Welcome to the The Food Professor I’m Michael LeBlanc and I’m joined by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois!

Slamming the farm gate behind us: we talk about your latest research Caddle, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University research on COVID-19, food security and euthanizing animals: https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/farmgate-waste.html

Pigs being euthanized on the farms…bacon sales down - the thick underbelly of the foodservice industry - is no one cooking breakfast and some startling conclusions - Sylvain suggesting that making discarding managed commodities at farmgate illegal is a type of solution for at least some commodities.

We have a "Bun fight! Stats Canada tells us the cost of centre-of-the-aisle went up - FCPC says their members don't set pricing, RCC says the retailers haven't raised prices: is something else going on? Some examples of commodities in the centre of the isle: Baked beans, +19%; Canned tomatoes, +19%, Canned carrots, +14%;, Canned soup, +12%, Bathroom tissue, +12%....."

Half Baked Idea: Janis Stein from the Munk School says that meat processing plants can and should move to almost 100% digital/robots - is this a fantasy or is there any reality to that proposition?

Grocery eCommerce: from nothing to something and back again? Or will Canadians finally love shopping online for groceries?

Is Something fishy going on? Canadian Government commits $470 Million to fisheries in Canada - some percentage greater than what Agriculture received?

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Canadian Government gets a B+ on Agriculture COVID-19 support, pandemic processing plants, and the joy of gardening!

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc, Sylvain Charlebois) — Thu, 14 May 2020 04:05:01 +0000

Welcome to the very first episode of The Food Professor!

In this episode Sylvain and I talk about what at first I think to many Canadian seemed good news, but Sylvain thought was half-baked…a B+…$252 Million Dollars for Canadian Farmers…first of all, what is the issue with the odd numbers, but beyond that, isn’t that kind of money helpful? Next, we discuss recent consumer research from Dalhousie University and Angus Reid on grocery shopping, going to restaurants and all things food during the early days of the COVID-19 crisis (see https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/covid-19-grocery-experience.html)

Pandemic Processing Plants - the Cargill plant was the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in North America - worse than sailing on a cruise ship - is there more to this story from a bigger picture perspective?

Then we talk about smoking good cannabis, or its at least what we both though we were doing at first when we heard Sysco Foodservice was getting into the home grocery delivery business!

Last but not least, the joy and simple pleasure of home gardening - a mega trend with no downside!

If you liked this podcast you can subscribe on Apple iTunes , Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, please please please rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry, foodservice, restaurant industry.

Stay Safe everyone!!

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

Introducing The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and host Michael LeBlanc

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael LeBlanc, Sylvain Charlebois) — Sun, 10 May 2020 13:03:11 +0000

Join Sylvain Charlebois and co-host Michael LeBlanc from The Voice of Retail podcast as we dive in the recipe for the food, grocery, foodservice and restaurant industries, discuss proprietary industry and consumer food related research, check out fresh new ideas and talk about whatever half baked strategies are in the news this week. So be sure and join Sylvain and Michael every two weeks for in-depth insights and great conversation - find The Food Professor online and subscribe on Apple iTunes, Spotify - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today! !

About Us

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.

The Food Professor

Epic Fury & Carbon Tax Cost Shocks, Canada–India-Australia Trade Bump, Elbows Up Alcohol Anniversary and guest Gavin Schneider, CEO & Co-Founder of Maia Farms

Grocery Density, L.A.’s Eggslut in Canada, Nice Cans Scores with NYT and guest Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada and Managing Partner at The StratonHunter Group

Food Inflation Nation, AI Goes Grocery, Cocoa Crash & Coffee Correction & The Abomination That Is Boneless Chicken Wings

Elbows Up Bridge Trouble, Montreal Bagel Heated Rivarly, Dairy Skimming & guest Jason McLinton, President of the Fisheries Council of Canada

Trade Talk on the Prairies, Canada's new U.S. Ambassador & Supply Management and How AI Is Rewiring Foodservice with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, Global Head of Restaurants at Amazon AWS

CFIA Cuts, GST Grocery Rebate, Gene-Edited Pork, Amazon’s Grocery Reset and guest Cosimo Mammoliti, Founder & CEO of the Terroni Group

Sino Export West Win, What Comes Next for Canadian Ag & Fighting Food Fraud with guest Deleo de Leonardis, CEO Purity-IQ

Chocolate, China, Canola, Climate & Consumer Change and guest Suzie Yorke of The Little Cacao Company

2026 Restaurant Predictions, D is for Dairy, U.S. Flips the Food Pyramid, and Brewing Change at Scale: Roxanne Joyal, Founder & CEO of &BackCoffee

Top 10 Food Stories of 2025 and guests Ryan Koeslag & Janet Krayden, Mushrooms Canada

Chicken Supply Turmoil, GST off Food Movement and guest Carman Allison, Vice President NIQ Canada

Canada’s Food Price Report 2026 Revealed + Hugo Magnan, President of Groupe MAG, on the Art of Great Canadian Mayo

Canada's Food Price Report Sneak Peek, Lefty Farmers, Campbell's Chicken Soup Traitor & guest Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle, on How GLP-1 Drugs Are Reshaping Canadians

Clone Wars, latest insights from the Canadian Food Sentiment Index and Part 2 of our interview with Michael Medline, Former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, on Leadership & Legacy

Leading Through Disruption: Michael Medline, (now) former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, on Culture, Strategy & Retail Transformation

Live from the Coffee Association of Canada Conference with Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO

Cloned Meat, Coffee & Compound Butter with guest Rob Sengotta, Co-Founder of Von Slick’s Finishing Touch

The Interview

The News

Blue Jays Boost, Food Inflation Blues, Dangerous Doggie Snacks & guest Kiran Mann, CEO of Brar's

Canada Climbs in MNP’s new Global Agri-Food Report this World Food Day, China offers up an exit strategy, India back on the export menu, and guest Stephen Mitchell of Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery

Wild Blueberry Crisis, Doug Ford's Give & Take, TFWP Ag Sins & The Next Farmland Value Correction with guest Trent Klarenbach

Thanksgiving Prices, Iranian Pistachio Recalls, and the Future of "Story" Beef with guest Bryce Lobreau of 8 Acres

Solo Dining, Trade Diversification, and Snack Innovation with Kirk Homenick, President of Naturally Homegrown Foods

Food Innovation, Tariffs & TikTok Moments and guest James Maitland, CEO of Les Aliments Dainty Foods Inc.

Help Wanted? Temporary Foreign Worker Debate & Boldly Delicious Seafood with Charlotte Langley, Founder of Nice Cans

Kraft Heinz Shake-Up, Meal Kit Growth, Crown Royal tears & guest Greg Mercer, Investigative Reporter & Author, The Lobster Trap: The Global Fight for A Seafood on the Brink

Season Six Debut: Elbows Down on Tariffs, the China Conundrum, and Canada’s De Minimis Decisions

Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute, on Tariffs, Trade & the Future of Food Innovation

Pine-Covered Perfection: Moosbrugger’s Dieter Heidegger on Global Austrian Award-Winning Cheese

Butter Believe It: Shruti Priya Agarwal & Akshay Kalekar Stir Up the Market with Whipdd

Bananas, Business & A Better World: Meet Tamara Al Dip & Yazeed Yasin, Co-Founders of NanaShake, winners of the SIAL Canada CPG pitch competition in Toronto

The Bulldog Behind the Brand: Sauce Boss Pierre-Olivier Drouin on Building Quebec's Firebarns

Decoding Canada's Culinary Culture with Laura Brehaut, National Post Food Reporter: SIAL Summer Bonus

Retail, Riesling, and Relationships: Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars on Building a Brand That Lasts

Seeds of Change: Keith Currie, President at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, on the Future of Farming: SIAL Summer Bonus

From Farm to Gold: Chantal Van Winden’s Camelina Oil Wins SIAL Innovation 2025: Summer Bonus Episode

Smokin Jon's BBQ: Summer SIAL Food Innovation Show Bonus Episode

BBQ Legends, Bureaucracy & Back-to-School with guests Texas Monthly's Daniel Vaughn & Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle in the Hot Seat

Vince Sgabellone from Circana Dishes on Dining Trends, Pepper Predicament, and Aluminium, America & Grocery Shopping Trends

Brisket, Buc-ee’s & Big Ideas plus Spilling the Tea Tariff & guest Tonia Jahshan of Sipology Steeps Up Global Growth

Canada's Food Inflation Crisis, Ag Minister an Animal Farm Fan, Selena Gomez Oreos, and Craft Wine Innovation, Resilience and Opportunity with Dan Sullivan from Rosehall Run Vineyards

New Liberal Cabinet & Ag Minister, Newfoundland Sugar Tax Fail, Cricket Bankruptcy Bugs Sylvain, and guest Adam Grogan, President & COO, Maple Leaf Foods

Sylvain says "Howdy" to Texas A&M, Canadian Food Sentiment Index No. 2, and from Farm to Global Table: Gilles Froment, International Dairy Federation President and Lactalis Canada SVP

Live from SIAL Show in Toronto: Canada’s Post-Election Food Policy, Trade Barriers & Exports and guest Martin Lavoie, President & CEO of Groupe Export Agroalimentaire Québec

Canada's Missing Agri-Food Election Agenda, RoundUp for Roundup and Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Chief Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares

Canada’s Food Inflation Spikes, Investors & Innovators with Elysabeth Alfano, CEO of VegTech™ Invest

North American Trade Lawyer Mark Warner on Tariffs, Trade & Trump: A Global Food Fight Begins

Tariffs, Trade, and Terroir: Trump's Liberation Day global earthquake, guest Michelle Wasylyshen, President & CEO, Ontario Craft Wineries

10 Years of Liberal Ag Policy, Body Cams & guest Chef Tuệ Nguyễn

China Tariffs Dramatic Impact, McDonald's Takes Another Run at a Veggie Burger & WeCook's Fresh Meal Revolution with Michel Gagné, CEO

Loblaw T's Off on Trump Tariffs, China and Europe Hit Back Creating Risks & Opportunities, guest Smoke's Poutinerie President & COO Mark Cunningham

Trump Tariff Attack Reality, Grading Canada's Response and Special Guest Industry Icon John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe

Nova Scotia Breakthrough, Plant-Based Egg's Moment, Buy Canadian Movement, Quebec's Nerve

Elon's DOGE Eggs Along Bird Flu, KFC Crosses the Road to Texas, the World Needs Ukranian Ag, & Food Politics & Consumer Trust: A Deep Dive with CHFA's CEO & President Aaron Skelton

Premiers Milk Run in Washington, Buy Canadian Movement, and guest Karen Proud, President and Adjudicator, Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct

Trump Tariff Turmoil, RFK JR Ag Agenda, Roll Up The Rim Returns & Post-Tariff Future of the Canadian Food Trade

Eggflation Shocks Americans, Canada Drags on Ag Competitiveness and live from Texas Chuck Charnichart, aka BBQ rat, owner and pitmaster of Barb's B. Q.

Trump Immigration & Ag, the Hidden Secret Behind those CPI Numbers, celebrating the launch of Call Her Daddy's Unwell & guest Nicolas Mulroney, Co-Founder & CEO of Bond Bakery Brands

The Weight & Measure of Things, Bye Red Dye 3 and the Dukes of New York

2025 Fearless Predictions, Government Shakeup Shakeout, Trump Threats & Canada's Next Moves

The Top 10 Stories That Define Our Food Systems: A Reflection on Canada’s Top Agri-Food Stories of 2024

GST Holiday Havoc, Dynamite T&T U.S. Launch and our guest Paul Jewer, President & CEO, High Liner Foods

Special Guest: Paul Jewer, President & CEO of High Liner Foods

Canada's Food Price Report 2025, Farting Cows & guest Gordon Neal of RFINE Biomass Solutions

Canada's "Vibecession" & the GST Holiday Season, Trump's 25% Solution & guest Ed Hoehn, COO, Atomo Beanless Coffee

Monopolies, Mexico, McDonalds & guest Kyle Engelman, Executive Director, Grounds For Health

Trump v2.0 & Ag, COP-Out, Carbon Tax Papers and guest Mitchell Scott, CEO of Cult Food Science

The Return of Trump & What It Means for the Canadian Agri-Food Sector and guest Michael Chadwick, Fidelio

Grocery Competition & Real Estate, Canadian Food Bank Crisis and guest Per Bank, President & CEO, Loblaw Companies Limited

Where's the Beef & Real Consumer Perspectives on Sustainability with Colleen Martin from Caddle

Breakthrough Milk Dumping Study, India Trade Trouble, and our guest Zeeshan Fazal, EDC

Canadian Food Sentiment Index Debut, Thanksgiving Table metrics, St. Hubert gets focussed, and guest Heidi Dutton, CEO of Lovingly Made

Skyrocketing Coffee, U.S. Port Strikes & Canada, A Grocery Legend Retires, special guest Marie-Noëlle Cano, President of CANO Intelligence Collective Inc.

Is Bill C-293 Canada's Vegan Act, More Supply Chain Turmoil, Body Cams and special guest Andrew Andriano, Founder and CEO of Flourish

Quebec Takes on Tipflation, the Party is Over for Tupperware, Canadians Partying Less, guest Maxime Beauchesne from Pâtisserie Michaud

DEI Rollback, Million A Month Foodbank, Exclusive Grocery eCommerce Research guest Colleen Martin from Caddle

China Versus Canola, BOC Interest Rate Cut and Your Dinner Plate, End of the NDP-Liberal Alliance and Ag, guest Francois Bouchard, SVP at GS1 Canada

Sizzling Summer Food Industry News & Special Guest Tony Chapman, Marketing Visionary and host of Chatter That Matters #pod