The Food Professor

By: Michael LeBlanc Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
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  • Summary

  • Join Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax with host Michael LeBlanc as they look at the hot issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries. We'll discuss proprietary industry and consumer food related research, check out fresh new ideas and talk about half baked strategies. © 2020-2025 M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    2020-2025 The Food Professor podcast partnership
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Economics Management Management & Leadership Political Science Politics & Government
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Episodes
  • Trump Tariff Attack Reality, Grading Canada's Response and Special Guest Industry Icon John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe

    Trump Tariff Attack Reality, Grading Canada's Response and Special Guest Industry Icon John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe
    Mar 6 2025
    The latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast delivers a timely and insightful discussion on the state of Canadian agriculture, the impact of Trump's tariffs, which Canadian politicians had the best response to, and what it means for the food industry. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down new trade restrictions' economic and political ripple effects, discussing the challenges of retaliatory tariffs, fluctuating commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions.Our guest, John Pigott, CEO of Morrison Lamothe and a leader in the food industry for over three decades brings his deep expertise to the conversation. John reflects on his journey in the Canadian food sector, sharing valuable lessons on innovation, leadership, and navigating market shifts. From growing his family's bakery business into a major supplier of frozen foods and private-label products to his recent recognition as a Golden Pencil Award winner, John discusses the evolution of the industry and the importance of strategic thinking in times of crisis.One key theme of the discussion is the role of private-label brands in shaping the future of grocery retail. John highlights how Canadian food manufacturers have thrived by partnering with retailers to develop high-quality private-label products, offering a competitive advantage against national brands. He emphasizes that while tariffs pose a significant challenge, they also present an opportunity for Canadian businesses to rethink their strategies and expand into new global markets beyond the U.S.The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical landscape, including China's response to U.S. tariffs, the increasing presence of Mexican food products in Canada, and the potential for Canada to strengthen its agricultural exports to emerging markets. John argues that Canada's food sector has unique advantages—vast farmland, fresh water, and strong production capabilities—that position it as a global leader in food security.In the episode, John shares his philosophy on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of "returning" knowledge to the next generation. Now, in the "third act" of his career, he is focused on mentoring young entrepreneurs and helping them navigate the challenges of growing a business in today's uncertain economic climate.From trade tensions to leadership wisdom, this episode is packed with critical insights for food industry professionals, retailers, and consumers. Tune in to hear how Canada can adapt, innovate, and turn adversity into opportunity. The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his ...
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    58 mins
  • Nova Scotia Breakthrough, Plant-Based Egg's Moment, Buy Canadian Movement, Quebec's Nerve

    Nova Scotia Breakthrough, Plant-Based Egg's Moment, Buy Canadian Movement, Quebec's Nerve
    Feb 27 2025
    Prepare for a jam-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast as hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois break down the latest food and retail industry trends shaping today's market.🔹 Trump's Tariff Talk – How will potential U.S. tariffs impact Canadian food exports and the broader economy? The hosts discuss the uncertainty surrounding trade policies and the growing concerns of the business community.🔹 Avian Flu & the Future of Eggs – With egg shortages driving up prices, could this be a golden opportunity for plant-based egg alternatives like Just Egg? Michael and Sylvain debate the shifting landscape of protein consumption.🔹 The "Buy Canadian" Movement – More Canadians seek homegrown products, but will they pay the 10% premium? Loblaw's latest data reveals consumer behaviour trends, and the hosts explore whether this shift is here to stay.🔹 Quebec's Resistance to Trade Reform – Quebec stands firm as Nova Scotia and Ontario move to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. What's behind the province's prevalence's reluctance, and how does it impact Canada's food industry?🔹 Coca-Cola's Aluminum Crisis – The beverage giant warns of rising aluminum costs—what does this mean for packaged food and drink prices, and why are microbreweries particularly vulnerable?🔹 Starbucks Layoffs & Streamlining Strategy – While Starbucks' flagship Roastery locations thrive, corporate layoffs signal a shift. Is this part of a more significant trend in food service?🔹 Greenhouse Tech & Food Innovation – Oracle founder Larry Ellison's ambitious greenhouse project faces significant setbacks. The hosts analyze why food tech innovation is more complicated than it looks.From government policies to corporate shake-ups, this episode delivers an insightful analysis of the food business. Don't miss this fast-paced discussion on the trends shaping what we eat, how we buy, and where the industry is headed.🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!🔗 Subscribe & Follow:@LeVoiceofRetail | @FoodProfessor | #TheFoodProfessorPodcast #RetailTrends #FoodIndustry #PlantBased #CanadianRetail #Starbucks #EggShortage #FoodSecurity #TradeBarriers #CocaCola #GroceryTrends The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of ...
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    42 mins
  • Elon's DOGE Eggs Along Bird Flu, KFC Crosses the Road to Texas, the World Needs Ukranian Ag, & Food Politics & Consumer Trust: A Deep Dive with CHFA's CEO & President Aaron Skelton

    Elon's DOGE Eggs Along Bird Flu, KFC Crosses the Road to Texas, the World Needs Ukranian Ag, & Food Politics & Consumer Trust: A Deep Dive with CHFA's CEO & President Aaron Skelton
    Feb 20 2025
    The latest The Food Professor Podcast episode dives deep into the regulatory landscape shaping Canada's natural health product sector. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Aaron Skelton, President and CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), to discuss pressing industry challenges and opportunities.With 82% of Canadians using natural health products, the CHFA is pivotal in advocating for businesses navigating Health Canada regulations, labelling laws, and cost recovery fees. Skelton shares insights into the Save Our Supplements (SOS) campaign, an initiative pushing back against policies that could increase costs and reduce product availability. He emphasizes the need for regulatory balance that fosters innovation while maintaining consumer safety.The conversation also covers the impact of rising tariffs on Canadian manufacturers, making it harder for local brands to compete with international markets. Skelton highlights the urgent need for policies that support domestic food production and streamline interprovincial trade.Shifting gears, the hosts explore consumer trust and transparency in health products. With increased scrutiny over false claims and misleading marketing, third-party certifications like B Corp and Canadian Organic Certification have become crucial in building credibility. Skelton stresses that transparency—not perfection—is key to maintaining consumer confidence.In the news, we touch on Elon's DOGE cuts to the USDA and their potential impact in Canada, Loblaws' multi-billion-dollar investment, the pause in Saskatchewan's canola processing plant, and KFC's surprising corporate relocation from Kentucky to Texas, as well as the state and future of agriculture in the Ukraine and the practical economics of adding hens in your back yard to make your eggs.This episode is packed with insider knowledge on food safety, economic policy, and industry regulation, making it a must-listen for food professionals, policymakers, and consumers interested in the future of Canada's health and wellness sector. The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with ...
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    59 mins

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