Opinions
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Why COVID-19 will change the food industry, forever
By Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University COVID-19 is likely going to redefine grocery shopping in more ways than one. Convenience now has a different meaning. It’s less about saving time and more about survival and safety. Before…
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Minding the Money: Healthy Finance Tips
RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 21… Financial competence is crucial for survival in today’s hyper-competitive market. Managing the finances of a food business is especially challenging because margins can be low and supermarkets negotiate hard for EDLC (every day low cost).…
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In Food Safety, Wenliang’s Death Could Become Our Problem
By Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor and Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University When SARS hit back in 2003, China was nowhere near the economic powerhouse it is today. Now, if something happens to China, the entire world is…
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Buying Canadian, eh?
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is going into marketing. It wants you to buy Canadian, as much as you can. The “Buy Canadian” campaign is about to start, sometime this summer, and the Federal government intends to spend $25 million over…
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Nielsen Insights from Thought Leadership CEO Conference
Competition is fierce among Canada’s packaged food brands. Arming yourself with knowledge about the challenges your customers face enables you to devise solutions that will resonate and increase listing opportunities. Brick and mortar food stores are changing, fast. Food retailers…
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7 Take-Aways from Grocery Innovations
Savvy brand owners check out trade shows like Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) to unwrap a host of business opportunities. Here are some insights from this year’s show to stimulate your creative juices. Solving the Breakfast Conundrum Oasis® Morning Smoothie rises…
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Behind Maple Leaf Foods’ bold call to become carbon neutral
By Sylvain Charlebois Maple Leaf Foods is not just pretending to be environmentally friendly, it is trying to be a trailblazer in the wild kingdom of proteins. The company has just adopted science-based targets that will help it become the…
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If you’re a meat lover, thank a vegan. Here’s why
November 1 is World Vegan Day. If you’re a meat lover, hug a vegan. You should be thankful for what vegans are doing to our food industry.
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Recreational legal cannabis sales may reach 50% of total sales between 2025 and 2026
By Sylvain Charlebois and Brian Sterling Dalhousie University Recreational cannabis has been legal for a year in Canada, and estimates suggest retail sales during 2019, its first year, could reach between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion. Today, edibles are now…
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Plant-based Takes Root at CHFA East
CHFA East in Toronto has evolved to become a leading food trade show and barometer for trends. As expected, “plant-based” food and beverages was a widespread theme at this year’s show. Is This The New Cauliflower? Okra is not one…
