SIAL Podcast

In this episode: A recap of the first day at SIAL Montreal and our conversations with industry professionals,
An update on the state of Canada’s supply chain and the risks of strikes in Vancouver and at CN,
Major food market trends: “recession-proof” products and adapting to millennial expectations,
Kraft Heinz’s strategies and evolving consumer shopping habits.

Guest: Marc Vaucher, Senior Investment Director at Scale AI, explains how AI is boosting productivity in Canadian businesses, with concrete examples in agriculture and retail.

In this episode: A look back at the buzz of SIAL Montreal, standout innovations, and inspiring encounters,
An update on inflation and its impact on the agri-food industry,
Debates around H5N1 avian flu at the House of Commons,
Loblaw’s new public relations strategy, and the slow decline of Red Lobster—humorously renamed “Dead Lobster.”

Guests: Jennifer Zimmermann and Amy Bronstetter, founders of Epic Tofu, share their entrepreneurial journey and their win at SIAL Canada’s Start-Up Pitch Competition with their marinated frozen tofu, which extends shelf life, reduces waste, and has already replaced over 250,000 meat-based meals.

In this episode:
A recap of the ERA Awards celebrating retail excellence: Metro (eCommerce experience), Farm Boy (in-store design), LCBO (loss prevention and talent development), Tim Hortons (philanthropic leadership), and Pattison Food Group (marketing). We also discuss global food trends following Sylvain’s trip to Berlin, and the expansion of Eataly in Toronto—now the city with the most Eataly locations worldwide.

Other topics include: rising grocery theft statistics, the renewal of the Heinz-Kraft contract in Leamington, the standing vs. sitting cashier debate, and speculation on the Bank of Canada’s upcoming interest rate decision. We close with an analysis of supply management’s impact on food prices.

Guest:
Adekambi (Kambi) Laleye, co-founder and CEO of UpTaste, presents their award-winning automated in-store sampling solution, which earned the Technology and Packaging Award at SIAL Montreal.

In this episode:
We break down the long-awaited interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada and its implications for the agri-food sector. We also look at ongoing labour shortages in Canada’s beef processing industry just ahead of BBQ season, and explore California’s surprising strawberry surplus.

Guests:
Isabelle Marquis, President of the SIAL competition jury, returns for her third appearance on the podcast. Joining her is Eugenia Sanchez, founder of El Gusto Gourmet Drip Coffee (Tertulia Brugge) and winner of the SIAL Grand Prix Gold award. Her brand receives a $10,000 Nielsen services grant and a 100 sq. ft. bare booth at SIAL Toronto 2025.

In this episode: We sit down with Souriya Otmani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Canada, SIAL 2024’s Country of Honour. Discover the cultural and culinary richness of Morocco, its unique position at the crossroads of traditions, and an introduction to the subtle art of food diplomacy.

In this special summer bonus episode:
We meet Michi Furuya Chang, Executive Vice President of Public and Regulatory Affairs at FHCP (Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada).
Live from SIAL Montreal 2024, Sylvain and Michael continue their series of exclusive interviews with key players and thought leaders in the food industry.

In this episode:
One of our favorite guests, Chef Chuck Hughes, returns live from the SIAL Montreal podcast studio. He talks about his new line of food products, including one that was a finalist in the SIAL Innovation Awards.

On the menu:
Behind the scenes of his journey from kitchen to grocery shelf, the challenges of turning a recipe into a marketable product, and reflections on the delicate balance between innovation and commercial success.

In this episode:
We meet Gurth M. Pretty, a leading cheese expert and frequent podcast guest. Together, we explore innovations in the world of cheese and the challenges Canadian retailers face in bringing these new products to a national audience.

📍 Discover his artisanal shop, Lakeview Cheese Galore in Mississauga—a true paradise for cheese lovers.

In this episode:
Carl Boutet, a global retail technology expert, joins us live from SIAL Montreal, where he serves as the in-house innovation and retail expert.

Topics include: the central role of food in the growth models of retail giants like Walmart and Costco; the challenges of innovation, from overhyped gadgets to real solutions (smart carts, AI, etc.); the work of McGill’s Retail Innovation Lab focused on frictionless commerce, responsible consumption, and interdisciplinary research; and the importance of evolving retail formats to better meet consumer expectations.

In this episode, recorded live from SIAL Montreal:
A conversation with Zeeshan Fazal (EDC) about how Canada supports agrifood businesses expanding internationally.
Michael shares his takeaways from Chicago and highlights the upcoming Canadian Coffee Association conference.
On the menu: 6 billion litres of dairy waste, Canada–India trade tensions, the launch of Canada Packers (Maple Leaf), and rising CPI concerns.