Sizzling Summer Food Industry News & Special Guest Tony Chapman, Marketing Visionary and host of Chatter That Matters #pod
Season 5 Β· Episode 1
Thursday, August 29, 2024 β’ Duration 55:08
We're back for our 5th season as one of Canada's top independent management podcasts after a summer break from live shows with a fast-paced review of all the big stories in the Canadian food industry that happened since we were last together live on the mic in June. It was an action-packed summer!! Β
Helping us kick off our season premiere with style is the one and only Tony Chapman, serial entrepreneur, marketing visionary, keynote speaker, and host of the great Chatter That Matter #podcast! Tony brings his powerful insights to the grocery sector, sharing his unique perspective on the industry's future. And in a thought-provoking twist, we ask Tony what he would do if he were handed the keys to a grocery empire.
About Tony
Tony Chapman is a trailblazing force in the marketing and content world, a three-time Hall of Fame inductee who built two globally acclaimed agencies and an innovative research firm from the ground up. Today, Tony is the host of the hit podcast Chatter That Matters, a trusted and dynamic media commentator, and a sought-after speaker.
Chatter That Matters, hosted by Tony, is a podcast about people who overcome circumstances to chase their dreams and change the world for the better. His guests include Olympians, Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar nominees, NY Times Best Sellers, thought leaders, change makers, and stories of people you've never heard of, but whose journeys will inspire.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
Top Global Retail Technology Expert Carl Boutet on a Summer SIAL Food Innovation Bonus Episode
Season 4
Thursday, August 22, 2024 β’ Duration 17:38
Top Global Retail Technology Expert & friend of the #pod Carl Boutet discusses his role as the in-house retail technology expert at the Montreal SAIL show, highlighting his involvement in marshalling the experts in the food and innovation industry together to share wisdom and insights across the sector here in Canada and around the world.
Carl emphasized the importance of food in retail, noting that successful retailers like Walmart and Costco have integrated food offerings as part of their successful business growth model.
Carl also mentioned the challenges of innovation and details McGill's innovation lab, which focuses on frictionless commerce and healthy consumption, as well as its interdisciplinary research. Boutet also touched on the overhyped and underhyped aspects of smart carts and AI in retail and the need for more iterations in format innovation.
About Carl Business strategist and executive advisor, McGill
Carl is a Montreal-based business strategist, digital marketer and executive advisor with over 25 years of hands-on operational, marketing and retail executive experience. He has worked across a full array of business environments from the very large, such as 10 years with Costco Wholesale to working as commercial applications lead for a global B2B security technology company. In both, managing product portfolios and emerging go-to-market strategies.
As the founder of StudioRx, he advises executives, B2C/B2B solution providers and all types of ecosystem partners on how to tailor their solutions according to customersβ evolving needs and build effective commercial strategies to meet them.
He holds an MBA from Queenβs University as well as professional certificates from Stanford, Harvard and MIT.
He advises several technology startups, industry associations and innovation labs.
He is the principal advisor for the McGill University Retail Innovation Lab in Montreal, Canada. He is also, course instructor at McGill Masters in Retail Innovation (emerging technologies and new business models) and adjunct digital marketing faculty at Asian Institute of Technology MBA School of Management.
Look-Smell-Taste' Initiative, B.C. Salmon Farming Shutdown, The Capital Gains Taxman Commeth for Farmers and guests David Long, CEO, and Cynthia Boulter, COO, from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Season 4 Β· Episode 38
Thursday, June 20, 2024 β’ Duration 58:25
This week, we are excited to have special guests David Long, CEO, and Cynthia Boulter, COO, from the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. David and Cynthia share their insights on their critical work to combat food insecurity in Vancouver. They discuss their organization's unique challenges and opportunities arising from operating in such a dynamic urban environment.
In the news, Too Good To Go's new initiative, Look-Smell-Taste, aims to reduce food waste by encouraging consumers to trust their senses. Next, the discussion shifts to the Capital Gains Tax update and its potential impact on Ag and Innovation in Canada; StatCan's latest CPI basket update is also on the agenda. Food now comprises 16.72% of the basket, up from 16.13% last year. This includes a notable rise in the weighting of food from stores and restaurants.
In a surprising turn, former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley advocates ending supply management in the dairy sector, the recent ruling to phase out open-net salmon farming in B.C. over five years, examining its effects on the industry and consumers. Lastly, the hosts discuss the Wall Street Journal's report on U.S. retailers resizing women's apparel lines in response to the growing influence of GLP-1 weight loss drugs and McDonald's pause on its A.I. drive-through pilot due to high-profile mistakes.
Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Jim Delsnyder, COO, Zoglo's
Season 1
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 β’ Duration 16:16
Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS
Sylvain and I are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious awards for the third year in a row and have the chance to hand out the hardware on the stage to the winners in person for the first time!
We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. Β These are their stories.
Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews of the finalists from the Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. And stay tuned for our regular full-length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
About Jim
Jim has been a leader in the Food and Beverage industry for more than 20 years. He was the former president of Eska Water Inc for 9 years and has worked at many other reputable companies such as NestleΒ Waters and Quaker Oats.
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About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
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Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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.
Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Sylvain Roux, CEO, and Philippe Begin, VP, Dauphinais
Season 1
Thursday, July 21, 2022 β’ Duration 16:16
Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!
Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April. We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. Β These are their stories.
Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Β Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews from our podcast studio on the trade show floor in Montreal at SIAL, and stay tuned for our regular full length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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 βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Rob Sengotta and Landon Kroeker, Von Slick's Finishing Touch
Season 1
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 β’ Duration 16:04
Welcome to a special bonus episode celebrating the 29th ANNUAL CANADIAN GRAND PRIX NEW PRODUCT AWARDS
Sylvain and I are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious awards for the third year in a row and have the chance to hand out the hardware on the stage to the winners in person for the first time!
We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. Β These are their stories.
Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews of the finalists from the Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. And stay tuned for our regular full-length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
About Rob Sengotta and Landon Kroeker
The Man Behind the Flavour: Rob
My 25 year culinary career has been an experience filled withΒ adventure and growth. From world travel to building amazing relationships and pushing myself out of my comfort zone to continue to master my craft.
Iβve had the privilege of cooking on private yachts, fine dining trains, even at a Helicopter ski resort.Β Working with some of the best chefs in Europe and Canada along the way.
From Michelin star restaurants in England and France, to spending time as a private chef in Whistler and Vancouver and finally owning my own fine dining restaurant for 10 years in British Columbiaβs beautiful Shuswap region.
Using compound butters in fine dining is a common occurrence to bring bold flavour to your dish, as well as create dish consistency. Yet it can be difficult to find the product on the retail level.
Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Gurth M. Pretty, SIAL Cheese Ambassador, Lakeview Cheese Galore
Season 1
Thursday, June 30, 2022 β’ Duration 18:30
Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!
Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April. We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. Β These are their stories.
In this episode: Β Meet Gurth M. Pretty, SIAL Cheese Ambassador, Lakeview Cheese Galore
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Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Β Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews from our podcast studio on the trade show floor in Montreal at SIAL, and stay tuned for our regular full length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
About Gurth:
I am a bilingual, passionate and knowledgeable cheese and sales professional, specializing in both Canadian and international cheese. My experiences include retail merchandising, sales analyses and review, category management, distribution, marketing, brand strategy, corporate training, co-ordinating special events, media spokesman, sales strategies, participating as a judge at international cheese competitions, recipe development, food costing, catering, vendor negotiation and problem solving.
Gurth's Book
https://amzn.to/3NpDLPO
Gurth's Cheese Store
https://lakeviewcheesegalore.ca/
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Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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 βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Manisha (Mistry) Nagar, Private Brands Product Development Manager - Health & Wellness, Consumables, Baby & Pet, Walmart
Sylvain and I are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious awards for the third year in a row and have the chance to hand out the hardware on the stage to the winners in person for the first time!
We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. Β These are their stories.
In this episode, meet Manisha (Mistry) Nagar, Private Brands Product Development Manager - Health & Wellness, Consumables, Baby & Pet, WalmartΒ
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Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews of the finalists from the Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. And stay tuned for our regular full-length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
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About Manisha:
A quick learner with 15+ years of Product Development experience from both manufacturing and retail. Accustomed to multi-tasking in a fast-paced, and ever-changing environment.
Strong leadership abilities with the ability to communicate, influence and negotiate at all levels. Excellent relationship builder. Always looking for opportunities to improve personally and professionally.
ο½ Direct New Product Development & Continuous Improvement ο½ Ability to manage priorities, multitask and handle complex situations under pressure. ο½ Proven ability to prioritize and use time efficiently and effectively.Β ο½ Problem Solver ο½ Analytical Skillsο½ Leadership & coaching abilities
Live from the Montreal SIAL Food Innovation Show: Meet Natasha Vandenhurk, CEO at Three Farmers Foods
Season 1
Thursday, June 23, 2022 β’ Duration 18:40
Welcome to another special SIAL bonus episodes of The Food Professor podcast!
Sylvain and I were thrilled to be the official podcast of the SIAL food innovation trade show held in Montreal in April. We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers from many facets of the food industry. Β These are their stories.
Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Β Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews from our podcast studio on the trade show floor in Montreal at SIAL, and stay tuned for our regular full length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
About Natasha:
Natasha Vandenhurk is CEO and one of the initial founders at Three Farmers Foods. She studied Economics at the University of Saskatchewan before partnering with three farmers from Southeast Saskatchewan to realize a dream of taking healthy wholesome foods to the marketplace.
Being CEO of a growing, natural foods brand has set Natasha on a journey of continuous learning and leadership. Her passion, dedication and tenacity has grown Three Farmers Foods from a young start up to a thriving international brand. As Three Farmers Foods continues to evolve into an established Consumer Packaged Goods brand, Natasha is adamant about building high performing teams throughout the organization that are dedicated to excellence, accountability and continual learning in this dynamically changing industry.
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About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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 βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards Finalist Bonus episode: Meet Mike Primucci, Mimi Foods
Sylvain and I are thrilled to be a sponsor of these prestigious awards for the third year in a row and have the chance to hand out the hardware on the stage to the winners in person for the first time!
We had the opportunity to meet and get to know many fantastic food innovators and entrepreneurs, creators and makers - from consumer brands to private retail labels. Β These are their stories.
Thanks for joining us on this special bonus episode of The Food Professor. Stay tuned for plenty of great interviews of the finalists from the Retail Council of Canada's Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards. And stay tuned for our regular full-length episodes available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google - wherever you enjoy your podcasts today. Β
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About Mike:
MiMi Foods 'Artistic Dough Products'
Dedicated to developing and delivering premium quality products and exceptional customer service through operational excellence, innovative product development, client training and support, excellence in food safety, and doing it all with ARTISTIC PASSION. BRC and HACCP Certified.
SPECIALITIES: Pizza dough manufacturing and related pizza products consisting of: Pizza Dough Balls, Par-baked Crusts, Sheeted Doughs, Flatbreads, Ciabatta's, Focaccia's, Pinsa Romana, Panuozzo Breads, Gluten Free Products (Cauliflower, Red Lentil, Broccoli, Black Bean, Beetroot, Quinoa and Keto). Products available in various shapes, sizes and flavours.WHAT SETS UP APART is our ability to custom formulate products. Our R&D team works closely with our customers to develop and produce proprietary formulations such as the 2012 Canadian Grocery Grand Prix Winner for Innovation for the Focaccia Toscana product.PROUD developer and supplier for the pizza dough used in the 'Guinness World Record' for most pizza's made in one hour, held by Bob Blumer of the 'Glutton for Punishment' TV show.Link to article on MiMi Foods- Canadian Business Executive:http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?EID=e5608c2e-0380-481d-8180-e0fe91c03a77FOLLOW US ON TWITTER & INSTAGRAM ~ @mimifoodsLEARN MORE about MiMi Foods at www.mimifoods.ca
Carl is recognized by Rethink Retail among the worldβs most influential thought leaders and has keynoted, chaired and/or moderated the largest retail conferences around the world. He remains a regular media contributor with global news networks.
In 2021 he published his first book; The Great Acceleration β on how the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly propelled digital transformations and the business strategies to address the challenges that followed.
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
Β
He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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.
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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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
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Michael LeBlanc Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. Β He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Β Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast, Β Β Β The Voice of Retail, plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech Talks Β , Β Β Β The Food Professor Β with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about Michael Β here Β or on Β Β LinkedIn.
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Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
Michael LeBlancΒ Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.Β Β HeΒ brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.Β Michael is the producer and host ofΒ a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast,Β Β Β Β Β Β The Voice of Retail,Β plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech TalksΒ ,Β Β Β Β Β The Food ProfessorΒ with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about MichaelΒ Β here Β or onΒ Β Β Β LinkedIn.Β
Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
From a home cook to professional chef, Von Slickβs has the ability to deliver a new level of restaurant quality flavour to any of your home-cooked meals.
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About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
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Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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.
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He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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.
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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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
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Michael LeBlanc Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. Β He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Β Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast, Β Β Β The Voice of Retail, plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech Talks Β , Β Β Β The Food Professor Β with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about Michael Β here Β or on Β Β LinkedIn.
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Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
Michael LeBlancΒ Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.Β Β HeΒ brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.Β Michael is the producer and host ofΒ a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast,Β Β Β Β Β Β The Voice of Retail,Β plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech TalksΒ ,Β Β Β Β Β The Food ProfessorΒ with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about MichaelΒ Β here Β or onΒ Β Β Β LinkedIn.Β
Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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 βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
Michael LeBlancΒ Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.Β Β HeΒ brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.Β Michael is the producer and host ofΒ a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast,Β Β Β Β Β Β The Voice of Retail,Β plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech TalksΒ ,Β Β Β Β Β The Food ProfessorΒ with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about MichaelΒ Β here Β or onΒ Β Β Β LinkedIn.Β
Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
Michael LeBlancΒ Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.Β Β HeΒ brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.Β Michael is the producer and host ofΒ a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast,Β Β Β Β Β Β The Voice of Retail,Β plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech TalksΒ ,Β Β Β Β Β The Food ProfessorΒ with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about MichaelΒ Β here Β or onΒ Β Β Β LinkedIn.Β
Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Dr. 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 Guelphβs Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as βThe Food Professorβ, 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 βFood Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarkingβ. 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 Centreβs Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.
Michael LeBlancΒ Β is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.Β Β HeΒ brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.Β Michael is the producer and host ofΒ a network of leading podcasts including Canadaβs top retail industry podcast,Β Β Β Β Β Β The Voice of Retail,Β plus Β Global E-Commerce Tech TalksΒ ,Β Β Β Β Β The Food ProfessorΒ with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! Β You can learn more about MichaelΒ Β here Β or onΒ Β Β Β LinkedIn.Β
Be sure and check out Michael's latest adventure for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, Β his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!
Β
About Us
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.
Known as βThe Food Professorβ, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the worldβs most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigiousΒ Trends in Food Science TechnologyΒ journal.Β
He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada.Β
Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.
Β Michael LeBlancis a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Β He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.Β
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