Episode Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Us

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

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

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

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

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

 Michael LeBlanc