Given its ability to fuse efficient distribution and strategic market insight, the e-commerce giant could well become the leading food retailer in North America
Amazon is intent on becoming the world's most powerful retailer, with the help of food sales. Amazon's US$13-billion takeover of Whole Foods isn’t shocking. It’s been rumoured for months. Now the mammoth Amazon, with its large revenues and small profits, has confirmed those rumours by making the biggest deal in its history. And acquiring troubled…
The effects of artificial intelligence and the rise of the digital world will force us to rethink how we produce, process and distribute food
Governments jumping on the $15-an-hour bandwagon are missing an opportunity to look at how the next technological revolution will affect our food systems. And that’s a shame. The minimum wage is rising in many parts of the country. Recently, Ontario announced it would raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour, to match Alberta. In…
Consumers increasingly want fresh, unprocessed food. The middle of the store now sees less traffic and that’s clearly affecting sales for most grocery products
Skippy peanut butter and Dad’s chocolate chip cookies are gone from the Canadian marketplace. If you feel sad about seeing these iconic brands go, brace yourselves. It’s just the beginning. Within days, two major U.S.-based food multinationals pulled well-known brands from the Canadian market. Mondelez International discontinued the iconic Dad’s cookies and Hormel Foods pulled Skippy peanut…
Generation Xers grew up in an era when food was functional and boring. As a result, many don't cook and have little interest in the culinary culture
Generation Xers don’t cook. They never acquired the skills. Most of this group (born between 1965 and 1976) grew up when food was essentially an afterthought. Different generations have different relationships with food and cooking. Recent studies show that baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) have time to cook and most do. Millennials (born between 1977…
The federal budget injects some new life into Canada's agricultural industries, but not enough funding and not nearly enough clarity of vision
Canada’s agri-food sector has underachieved for too long. The new federal budget gives the sector the opportunity to re-imagine its potential. Finally, Ottawa wants to make the agri-food sector a place to invest and foster innovation. The Liberal government aims to increase Canada’s agri-food exports to at least $75 billion annually by 2025 (from $56…
Canada, as one of Brazil’s main livestock industry competitors, will likely gain from this scandal, but the industry should not become too complacent
Brazil, the largest exporter of meat products in the world, faces a food fraud crisis – and it seems federal authorities have been complicit. There's a lesson here for Canada. Brazil authorities recently announced they would investigate several companies, including meat-packing giants JBS SA and BRF SA. The companies are accused of bribing licensed inspectors to…
Canadian dairy producers have long refused to admit that the system fails the dairy supply chain and consumers
The great Canadian dairy crisis could be coming to a head. Donald Trump, as the 45th president of the United States, could bring about the end of Canada’s infatuation with dairy marketing boards. Trump has taken aim at perceived prejudicial trading tactics that harm America, mainly by China and Mexico. And now U.S. dairy groups want Trump to turn his sights…
Canada's Food Guide needs to be revamped to reflect the nation's shifting eating habits, our varied cultural needs and our growing obesity
Canada's Food Guide is a big deal – but it can be much more influential. On the whole, the guide is a symbol Canada's food-related values. Public institutions, schools, universities and community-based organizations look to it to reflect our fundamental nutritional principles. But past guides have failed us. Health Canada says that more than 60 per cent of…
From higher commodity prices to lower business taxes to changes in available labour, Trump's policies could dramatically alter agriculture
Donald Trump has been a topic of conversation at dinner tables for some time. Now, the American president-elect is poised to push up the cost of the food on those same tables. Policy proposals on immigration, trade and security dominated the U.S. presidential campaign. Not much was said about agriculture or food policies. But a…
Walmart and Visa face off in a battle over transaction fees that could dramatically alter the retail food landscape in this country
Food politics is usually a game of nuances. But in the battle between Walmart and Visa, nuances are few and far between. Visa is offering $10 to anyone in Manitoba who buys groceries using their Visa card. Walmart stopped accepting Visa as of Oct. 24 in the province. So the credit card company wants to hit the retail giant…
Amazon is intent on becoming the world's most powerful retailer, with the help of food sales. Amazon's US$13-billion takeover of Whole Foods isn’t shocking. It’s been rumoured for months. Now the mammoth Amazon, with its large revenues and small profits, has confirmed those rumours by making the biggest deal in its history. And acquiring troubled…
