Winter Speakers’ Series

Farm & Food Care and Canadian Food Focus are pleased to invite leaders from across the food industry to share their insights and experience on how Canadian food producers are adapting to changing demographics, more mindful consumers and unprecedented global events.

The sessions are free to attend thanks to a partnership with the AgriCompetitiveness program of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal, provincial, territorial initiative.

Francis Parisien from NielsenIQ, a leading retail and consumer intelligence firm will explore the trends and forces in Canada driving consumer food consumption and retail food purchasing decisions. Including which retail food categories are growing, which are experiencing decline and what Canadian retailers are doing within the marketplace, while exploring the forces behind the statistics and looking at how the COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to influence the market.

How GMOs, gene editing and pesticides are helping to make food more sustainable

Science and innovation have been critical to helping the world combat the global health crisis. It’s also driving major advances in the way we grow food, helping to make food more sustainable, nutritious and affordable. Whether it’s genetically engineered or gene-edited crops that are more resilient to climate change or safe and effective pesticides that protect vulnerable crops from destruction, farmers need access to a full suite of tools to help them feed Canadians and the world. And at the end of the day, technology on the farm benefits consumers who have year-round access to a wide variety of safe, healthy and sustainably grown foods.

How Has Food Service Adapted During Covid: What Does the Future Hold?

Join food service industry specialist Scott McDeivitte from Gordon Food Services for a discussion of how Canada’s food system is adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic. How are restaurants responding to changes and new markets? What trends will stay around for some time and which will fade? Learn more about the restaurants of the future and impacts to public trust in the food service industry.

Food Labelling: The good, the bad and the ugly.

Canadians are increasingly exposed to labels communicating specific processing aspects of food production. Food labels serve an important role, but who benefits the most from all of these different labels? Could they even be causing confusion and problems in the grocery aisle? Join Jo-Ann McArthur, Founding Partner and President of Nourish Food Marketing, for a deep dive into the marketing and misconceptions behind food labels.

The World of Food Post-Covid: Implications for Food Industry Businesses

The world will be feeling the impact for years to come. What changes can we expect in our food system--in grocery stores, restaurants, food distribution channels? What trends should people expect to continue? Join Professor David Hughes--also known as Dr. Food--an international speaker on global food and drink industry issues, to learn more about how food professionals can prepare for a post-Covid world.

Farm & Food Care and Canadian Food Focus are pleased to offer this insightful speaker as part of our Winter Speakers' Series.

Our Winter Speaker Series is in partnership with the Canadian Agriculture Partnership.