The Food Professor

American Chicken Invasion, Poultry Supply Management Glitches Prices, Canadian Beef Worries and guest Karen Proud, President & Adjudicator, Canada Grocery Code 28.05.2026 50мин

This week on The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois unpack the sharp rise in chicken prices, Canada’s growing dependence on imported poultry from the U.S., Quebec’s move to remove sales taxes from select grocery items, and mounting tensions around beef trade & import negotiations. Then, recorded live at SIAL Canada in Montreal, Karen Proud, President & Adjudicator of the Canada Grocery Code, joins the podcast once again live from the SIAL show in Montreal to discuss the early implementation of the industry-led code, supplier-retailer relationships, transparency, and the future of grocery sector accountability in Canada.

Who needs 6% Milk, the Tierany of Best Before, U.S. Mushroom Trade Trouble, a world awash in Bourbon and Live from SIAL, Jessica C. Adelman, SVP, Mars Snacking North America 21.05.2026 1ч 7мин

This week on The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois talk about Ontario’s new 6% milk, generic GLP-1 drugs debuting in Canada, potentially transforming household eating habits, the history of food waste and best-before date reform, food theft and organized crime, mushroom trade tensions with the U.S., and challenges facing Atlantic Canada’s oyster industry. Then, Michael sits down live at SIAL Canada in Montreal with Jessica C. Adelman, Senior Vice President, Mars Snacking North America: Corporate Affairs & One Mars Reputation Building to discuss the $36 billion Kellanova acquisition, AI, resilience, reputation management, and the future of global snacking.

Dunkin' Returns, Dairy Dumping No More, Climate Change Recalibration, and guest Kim Furlong, CEO, Retail Council of Canada 14.05.2026 1ч

On this episode, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois tackle the biggest food and agriculture stories shaping Canada—from Dunkin'’s return and dairy supply decisions in Ontario to climate policy influenced by new research, potential carbon tax pauses in Alberta, and the Bank of Canada’s POV on some causes of food inflation brought on by Canada’s tariff policies. Then, in a wide-ranging conversation, Kim Furlong, CEO of the Retail Council of Canada, explains why Canadians misunderstand grocery pricing, what retailers are really facing, and how AI, regulation, and North American geopolitics and trade issues are reshaping the future of food retail in Canada.

Restaurant & Dairy Farmer Risks, AI Drive-Thrus & Isabelle Marquis, Co-President of the SIAL Innovation Jury & Gold Award Winner Santiago Stacey, Chief Banana Officer, Ku Na Na! 07.05.2026 56мин

This week on The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down live at SIAL Canada 2026 in Montreal with both SIAL Innovation Co-President judge Isabele Marquis and Santiago Stacey, Chief Banana Officer and winner of the innovation gold award. Santiago shares how his new banana beverage Ku Na Na! is transforming rescued bananas into a groundbreaking plant-based beverage. Then, Michael and Sylvain unpack the week’s biggest food and agriculture stories—from restaurant sector pressures and dairy farming harsh realities to regulatory reform, AI in quick-service restaurant drive-throughs, and celebrate the legacy of Mandarin Restaurant founder James Chiu.

Live from SIAL in Montreal: Sovereign Ag, from Uncertain to UnKibble with our guest Dylan Munro of Spot & Tango 30.04.2026 1ч 6мин

This week on The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live from the SIAL Food Innovation Show in Montreal, Michael and Sylvain unpack the biggest food and agriculture stories of the week—from North American central banks holding rates, the spring economic statement, the new Canadian Soverign Wealth Fund, and global shipping disruptions reverberations to Agriculture, and talk about the latest edition of Canada’s Food Sentiment Index result, and touch on surveillance pricing, Michael’s visit to a local Montreal restaurant social media phenomonon, and follow-up on a Quebec maple syrup controversy. They then connect with Dylan Munro, COO and Co-Founder of Spot & Tango, to discuss the launch of their human-grade pet food, “UnKibble,” in Canada and the business model behind it.

Carney’s Trade Avenger Squad, U.S. Beef with Beef & Cracking the Code for Localizing Global QSR Food Trends with Trinh Tham, CEO of the Kevito Group, operator of Chatime and Bake Code 23.04.2026 55мин

Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome Trinh Tham, CEO of the Kevito Group, to discuss scaling QSR concepts Chatime and Bake Code across Canada. Tham shares insights on brand building, franchise growth, and bringing global food trends to Canadian consumers through authenticity and localization. The episode also covers key food industry news, including inflation, sustainability trends, grocery pricing, and global trade pressures impacting Canada’s agri-food sector, as well as thoughts on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Canada-U.S. trade advisory council.

Carney’s Majority Moves, the Weight of Grocery Operations and a superstar NFL baker debuts in Montreal, plus guest Michael Graydon, CEO of FHCP 16.04.2026 1ч 8мин

Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome back Michael Graydon, CEO of FHCP, for a deep dive into Canada’s food manufacturing sector. The wide-ranging conversation explores regulatory burdens, access to capital, retail consolidation, and trade uncertainty. Graydon highlights the growing divide between large and small manufacturers and the importance of the Grocery Code of Conduct. In the news, government policy shifts with the new Liberal majority, the amazing innovative work of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, positive fuel tax implications, food price dynamics, supply chain developments, and the growing divide in Canada’s “K-shaped economy,” celebrating a key role in restaurants, a Vancouver restaurant that epitomizes the bespoke tin seafood TikTok trend and former NFL star Laurent Duvernay-Tardif purchasing a Montreal bakery.

FOPL Impact, Sweet Quebec Food Fraud, Kit Kat Caper (to Russia with Love?), and guest Stéphane Thuillier, CEO of SIAL Canada 09.04.2026 48мин

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome Stéphane Thuillier, CEO of SIAL Canada, to discuss the global influence of food trade shows, emerging innovation trends, and Canada’s growing role in the international food ecosystem. The episode also explores key food industry news, including the lasting impacts of the Iran war as it winds down on food prices, maple syrup fraud in Quebec, Kit Kat caper, and the early effects of front-of-pack labelling on Canadian consumer behaviour.

Government Grocers, Mega-Mergers, Cash & Carry Battles, Alberta Whisky and guest Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group 02.04.2026 44мин

Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group, joins Sylvain and Michael for a rare inside look at one of Canada's largest western grocery enterprises — nearly 30,000 employees, 308+ stores, and 11 banners. Nelson shares his take on consumer trends, supply chain realities, AI adoption, private label growth, and Buy Canadian sentiment. Plus: the hosts break down the NDP's grocery store proposal, the McCormick-Unilever mega-merger, Sysco's Restaurant Depot acquisition, and Alberta's new whisky designation.

Manitoba Skips The Food Tax, DoorDash Tops Up, Big CPG Investment in Canada and guest Rob Kelly, Chief Commercial Officer, IKEA Canada 26.03.2026 58мин

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois interview Rob Kelly, Chief Commercial Officer at IKEA Canada, exploring the company’s global food study, evolving menu innovation, and the surprising scale of its food business, including 70 million meatballs sold annually. The episode also covers key food news, including rising fuel costs impacting prices, Manitoba’s move to eliminate PST on groceries, and major investments shaping Canada’s food manufacturing sector, and the lost opportunity of the hotel minibar.

Carbon Tax Debate Clap Back, Grading the Carney Government 1 Year Later, Butter on the Run and guest Brent Cator, President & Owner of Cardinal Meats 19.03.2026 56мин

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois examine the forces squeezing Canadian consumers, from geopolitical tensions in Iran driving food price inflation to the carbon tax's contested ripple effects through the supply chain impacting the cost of groceries. The second half features Brent Cantor, President of Cardinal Meats, reflecting on 60 years of innovation in protein, food safety, and plant-based proteins. This episode is dedicated to Edward Pottinger, co-founder of The Real Jerk, who passed away last week.

Canada’s Looming Ag Crisis, RC Show Redux, Toronto Pizza Crawl, a Visit to the Golden Arches, plus guest Cooper Sleeman, John Sleeman & Son’s Spring Mill Distillery 12.03.2026 57мин

Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome Cooper Sleeman, from John Sleeman & Son’s Spring Mill Distillery, to discuss the evolution of Canada’s craft spirits industry and how the Sleeman family legacy inspired a new generation of whisky making. The episode also explores the week’s food and agriculture news, including the Iran war’s oil and diesel price volatility, fertilizer costs and supply, the upcoming increase in the Carney Wholesale Carbon Tax, all adding up to food inflation pressures, plus our impressions of the Restaurants Canada tradeshow, Toronto pizza crawl, and the wisdom of Tommy Norris.

Epic Fury & Carbon Tax Cost Shocks, Canada–India-Australia Trade Bump, Elbows Up Alcohol Anniversary and guest Gavin Schneider, CEO & Co-Founder of Maia Farms 05.03.2026 55мин

Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois open the episode with the food and agriculture news of the week, unpacking Middle East tensions and their potential impact on oil prices and food inflation, Canada’s renewed trade outreach to India and China, a new Ontario–Nova Scotia agreement easing alcohol trade, the one-year anniversary of American wine and spirits being pulled from Canadian shelves, and research on front-of-package nutrition labelling and public health. They then welcome Gavin Schneider, CEO & Co-Founder of Maia Farms, to discuss mushroom-based proteins, scaling fermentation technology, and the future of alternative protein ingredients.

Grocery Density, L.A.’s Eggslut in Canada, Nice Cans Scores with NYT and guest Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada and Managing Partner at The StratonHunter Group 26.02.2026 56мин

Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois welcome Robert Carter, President of the Coffee Association of Canada and Managing Partner at The StratonHunter Group, for a deep dive into coffee trends, green bean volatility, and restaurant profitability. From AI readiness and delivery economics to climate risk and trade policy, Robert outlines the forces reshaping foodservice. The hosts also explore glyphosate debates, grocery concentration, Costco’s expansion, Bobby Flay’s Toronto entry, Eggslut’s arrival in Canada, and Nice Cans’ global sardine recognition.

Food Inflation Nation, AI Goes Grocery, Cocoa Crash & Coffee Correction & The Abomination That Is Boneless Chicken Wings 19.02.2026 37мин

Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois unpack Canada’s soaring food inflation, structural supply chain issues, and the political forces shaping grocery prices. They explore Coca-Cola’s Ontario expansion, Canada-Mexico trade opportunities, Loblaw’s OpenAI partnership, and falling cocoa and coffee prices. With restaurant profitability under pressure and AI reshaping food retail, this episode delivers sharp, data-driven insight into the economic and technological shifts redefining Canada’s food landscape.

Elbows Up Bridge Trouble, Montreal Bagel Heated Rivarly, Dairy Skimming & guest Jason McLinton, President of the Fisheries Council of Canada 12.02.2026 56мин

Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois unpack Canada’s $5B agri-food investment pledge, dairy milk “skimming” data, and trade infrastructure developments and the new Gordie Howe bridge threats before welcoming Jason McLinton, President of the Fisheries Council of Canada. McLinton explains why Canada ranks among the world’s most sustainable seafood producers, how $8B+ in exports shape the sector, and why science-based regulation and stable global market access are critical to protecting Canada’s blue economy.

Trade Talk on the Prairies, Canada's new U.S. Ambassador & Supply Management and How AI Is Rewiring Foodservice with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, Global Head of Restaurants at Amazon AWS 05.02.2026 50мин

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast spans food policy, pricing, and restaurant technology. Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois unpack Prairie farmer sentiment, Canada–U.S. trade tensions, the potential painful future of CUSMA, and the fiscal cost grocery rebates versus removing GST on food. The hosts also examine earlier comments from Mark Wiseman, Canada’s incoming Ambassador to the United States, and his critical views on supply management. The episode features an in-depth interview with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, Global Head of Restaurants at Amazon Web Services, on AI, drive-thrus, loyalty, and QSR transformation.

CFIA Cuts, GST Grocery Rebate, Gene-Edited Pork, Amazon’s Grocery Reset and guest Cosimo Mammoliti, Founder & CEO of the Terroni Group 29.01.2026 1ч 1мин

Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois tackle major food and retail stories—from CFIA job cuts and the GST grocery credit to gene-edited pork, global trade shifts, Amazon’s grocery retreat, and Starbucks’ turnaround—before welcoming Cosimo Mammoliti, Founder & CEO of the Terroni Group. Cosimo shares how ingredient integrity, strict culinary traditions, and vertical integration built his restaurant empire, inspired his cookbook La Cucina di Terroni, and fueled his fast-growing frozen pizza brand, Porta.

Sino Export West Win, What Comes Next for Canadian Ag & Fighting Food Fraud with guest Deleo de Leonardis, CEO Purity-IQ 22.01.2026 58мин

Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois explore Canada’s evolving agri-food landscape, from renewed trade with China and Davos policy signals to alarming food inflation trends. The episode’s centerpiece is an interview with Deleo de Leonardis, CEO and Co-Founder of Purity IQ, who explains why basic identity testing is no longer enough to protect consumers from food fraud. Advanced authenticity testing, she argues, is becoming essential for trust in global food systems.

Chocolate, China, Canola, Climate & Consumer Change and guest Suzie Yorke of The Little Cacao Company 15.01.2026 53мин

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast tackles major food and retail headlines, including McDonald’s aggressive price freeze, Aldi’s rapid U.S. expansion, Amazon’s underestimated grocery scale, climate narratives impacting agriculture, rising pet food costs, and Canada’s evolving trade relationship with China. Against this backdrop, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois are joined by the Force of Nature that is Suzie Yorke, CEO and Founder of The Little Cacao Company, who shares how founder-led innovation is reshaping chocolate, health, and indulgence.