The Food Professor

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 UsDr. 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. 

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 WalkerDr. 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.adj8275https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-021-00747-4https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijcs.12691https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22001424 About UsDr. 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. 

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 Chamalihttps://www.ift.org/press/press-releases/2024/march/22/iftsa-elects-chamali-kodikara-vp-of-competitionshttps://www.producer.com/news/food-researcher-adds-more-to-her-resume/ About UsDr. 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. 

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 Researchhttps://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/food-safety.htmlUncle Bob'shttps://www.ontariopoppingcorn.com/Steve Dennis's new bookhttps://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/leaders-leap-transforming-your-company-at-the-speed-of-disruption/9781637560297.html About UsDr. 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. 

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 Habitshttps://askcaddle.com/thefoodprofessorpodcast/Breakfast Surveyhttps://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/breakfast-survey.html About UsDr. 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. 

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/POSTMEDIAhttps://www.wsj.com/business/meet-the-robots-slicing-your-barbecue-ribs-338a7794?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1About IanI 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

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 Flahertyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnTjs0heRJohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPFAAGC0Jxo About JamesJames 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 LoriAn 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 DevelopmentPackagingBrand & Portfolio Strategy Naming Creative DirectionShort film production Art Direction Copywriting Sales Hospitality/Tasting Room Guest ExperienceMarketing Collateral Social Media PlanningPrinting Consultation About UsDr. 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 influentia

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 Researchhttps://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/glp1-survey.html The Globe & Mail Article on Shrimp Production in Indiahttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-outlaw-ocean-india-seafood-plants/ New York Times expose on Sugar Production in India for Pepsi & Cokehttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/24/world/asia/india-sugar-cane-fields-child-labor-hysterectomies.html?searchResultPosition=2 About UsDr. 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. 

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 JPJP 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 UsDr. 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 pres

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 UsDr. 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. 

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 PaulPaul 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 UsDr. 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. 

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 UsDr. 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. 

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 OriDr. 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 UsDr. 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 produ

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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 a

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 DougDoug 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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

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 GlenfordSpecializing 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.comCanadian Association for Food Law and Policy: http://foodlaw.caExcellence in Manufacturing Consortium: https://emccanada.orgGood Food Institute: https://gfi.orgEuropean Food Law Association: https://www.efla-aeda.orgAbout UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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.M

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 BettinaBettina 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 UsDr. 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 hi

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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 cook

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 AeryonAeryon 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 h

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 AllianceFor More Informationwww.lovesalmon.cawww.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/S0044848620339557About StefanieDr. 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 TimTimothy 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 UsDr. 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 Ot

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 athttps://www.youtube.com/@samthecookingguyAbout SamSam 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?”— SamAbout UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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

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_.pdfFBC’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: @FoodBevCanadaLinkedIn: LinkedIn Me on Twitter and LinkedIn:Twitter: @krisprouLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-farrell-proulx-b09ba549 About UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 Jewell

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 UnsplashAbout PierreInnovation 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 UsDr. 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 com

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 2024About AlexI 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 leadi

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 KellyKelly 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy

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 VanessaAs 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and

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 RickRick 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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,

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 LisaA 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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

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 GordonGordon 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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 Ame

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=8-1About UsDr. 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 Fo

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 RicardoChef, 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 issuericardocuisine.com, the reference among Canadian cooking websites, with 7,000 recipes and 4.4 million monthly visitorsOver 1.2 million fans on social mediaa television show on ICI Radio-Canada Télé for the past 21 years and a number of other productions presented here and abroad13 books in French and 6 books in English, all bestsellersthree boutiques and three restaurants in Saint-Lambert, Quebec City and Lavalan online boutique offering the entire range of RICARDO productsa RICARDO ready-to-eat counter at the Galeries de la Capitale in Quebec Citya collection of cooking accessories available in 600 outlets across Canadaa range of over 100 RICARDO food products available exclusively at IGA, including some now sold in Sobeys stores in OntarioTrained 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 UsDr. 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 Ins

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 KristinKirstin 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 UsDr. 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.About MichaelMichael 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.Micha

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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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, n

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 GreggGregg Curwin has an extensive background in commercializing high-value Ag Tech and health careapplications. 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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

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 conferenceAbout UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distributi

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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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,

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 21stOn this episode meet Isabelle Marquis, Senior food strategist & Sustainable Development expert and Linda Fox, Regional Innovation Director (Ontario), Canadian Food Innovation NetworkIf 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 influ

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 21stOn this episode meet Birendra "Jopy" Perera, Marketing Director at Mlesna Ceylon Ltd & Gail Gastelu, Owner, Publisher at The Tea House TimesIf 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 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 GailAlways 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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

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 21stOn this episode meet Silvio Serrano, House of ExteIf 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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 researc

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 21stOn this episode meet Deolinda Silva, Executive Director at PortugalFoodsIf 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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. Fu

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 21stOn this episode meet Santiago Espinosa, CEO Todos Comemos & Retail Guru Carl BoutetIf 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 SantiagoJesus 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 CarlAs 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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

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 21stOn this episode meet U-Luv Cookies Founder Debbie TartariniIf 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 U-Luv CookiesAt 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 ye

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 21stOn this episode meet Gregor Postl, Head of Advantage Austria, Toronto and Julia Goeschelbauer, Head of Export Marketing, AMA-MarketingIf 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 Advantage AustriaADVANTAGE 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, [email protected] or connect with us on LinkedIn @Advantage Austria CanadaWe are looking forward to hearing from you!Website: www.advantageaustria.org/caGet in touch: [email protected], +1 416 967 3348Follow 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_caFacebook: fb.com/advantageautriaCA***About AMAAgrarmarkt Austria Marketing (AMA), established in 1995, is responsible for agricultural marketing on behalf of Austrian farmers.AMA stands for:Certified qualityPromotion of agricultural marketingIn 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 theone 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 2023Meet 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 & BEVERAGESMarketplace 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 [email protected] & where: October 4, 2023, ViennaRegister here: https://food2023.b2match.io/Registration is open until Sept. 30. About UsDr. 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 I

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 21stOn this episode meet Gurth Pretty, Cheese Professional, owner, Lakeview Cheese Galore in Mississauga.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 GurthGurth 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 i

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 21stOn this episode meet Tracy Bell, Co-founder + CEO Millennia Tea, **Gold Innovation Award - SIAL 2023**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 TraceyI 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 [email protected] or 1-506-866-0049. About UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 P

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 21stOn 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. 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.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 RichardRich 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 UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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 foo

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 CFIACFIA 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 FelixFelix 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.hkFor more information on how ASAP works, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3loU3YPViM About UsDr. 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. About MichaelMichael 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 Reta

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 ChuckChuck 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/ChefChuckHughesTwitter: https://twitter.com/chefchuckhughesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefchuckhughes/ About UsDr. 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 Intellig

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 MichaelMichael 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 UsDr. 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. 

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 AllianceFor More Informationwww.lovesalmon.cawww.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/S0044848620339557Image: Spirit Bear LodgeIn 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 StefanieDr. 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 TimTimothy 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 UsDr. 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 Globa