Episode Details

In the final live episode of The Food Professor podcast for 2023, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discussed various Canadian food and beverage industry topics. While the interview with our guest Kristina Farrell, CEO of Food and Beverage Canada, was a significant part of the episode, the hosts delved into various other vital issues.

A key topic of discussion was Canadians' New Year's food resolutions. The hosts noted a trend towards healthier eating and more home cooking, possibly influenced by recent economic challenges. They questioned whether this trend might lead to reduced patronage of restaurants, reflecting on potential impacts on the restaurant industry.

LeBlanc and Charlebois also discussed labour shortages in the food industry, particularly manufacturing. They touched on how companies, especially smaller ones, are grappling with balancing investment in technology with managing rising costs due to inflation. The conversation highlighted the industry's need for innovation to remain competitive and sustainable.

Another significant point of discussion was the evolving landscape of alcohol sales in Ontario, notably the plan to allow beer and wine sales in convenience stores. The hosts speculated on the implications of this change, including potential challenges such as increased insurance costs for retailers and the impact on consumer habits and the recycling system.

The dialogue also covered broader industry trends and challenges, including the importance of sustainability and the need for the food sector to adapt to changing consumer preferences and government policies. The hosts expressed concerns about possible isolation due to increased home consumption and the importance of social interaction in dining experiences.

In their reflections on the year, LeBlanc and Charlebois discussed the top stories and issues in the food industry, ranging from labour disruptions and supply chain challenges to policy developments affecting the sector. They concluded with positive remarks on the growth and potential of the food industry, looking forward to future developments in 2024.

Overall, the episode offered a comprehensive overview of the Canadian food and beverage industry, with insightful discussions on the sector's challenges and opportunities, policy impacts, and consumer trends.

FBC’s website: FBC – Advocating for food and beverage manufacturing businesses located in urban and rural communities across Canada. (fbc-abc.com)

FBC’s 2024 pre-budget submission: FBC-ABC.2024.Prebudget.Submission.Final_.pdf

FBC’s submission to the Pollution Prevention Planning Notice for primary food plastic packaging: FBC-ABC.P2Notice.Submission.30Aug2023.pdf

FBC on Twitter and LinkedIn (I would like to think I know all of these off the top of my head, but again – team of 1.2):

Twitter: @FoodBevCanada

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Me on Twitter and LinkedIn:

Twitter: @krisprou

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-farrell-proulx-b09ba549

About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Sen