The Food Professor Podcast By Michael LeBlanc Dr. Sylvain Charlebois cover art

The Food Professor

The Food Professor

By: Michael LeBlanc Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
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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. © 2020-2026 M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. All Rights Reserved.2020-2026 The Food Professor podcast partnership Economics Management Management & Leadership Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Carney’s Majority Affordability Policy Moves, the Weight of Grocery Operations and a superstar NFL baker debuts in Montreal, plus guest Michael Graydon, CEO of FHCP

    Carney’s Majority Affordability Policy Moves, the Weight of Grocery Operations and a superstar NFL baker debuts in Montreal, plus guest Michael Graydon, CEO of FHCP
    Apr 16 2026
    In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois welcome back to the mic Michael Graydon, CEO of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP), for a timely and wide-ranging conversation on the state of Canada’s food manufacturing sector, regulatory pressures, and the future of food policy. Graydon delivers a candid assessment of an industry at a crossroads. While large-scale manufacturers like Coca-Cola, McCain, and Kraft Heinz are doubling down on Canada with major capital investments, small and medium-sized food producers—over 5,000 across the country—are facing mounting challenges. From limited access to capital and increasing regulatory burdens to retail consolidation and “pay-to-play” shelf dynamics, the pressure on emerging brands is intensifying. A central theme of the discussion is regulation. Graydon outlines how Canada’s regulatory environment—estimated to cost the industry billions annually—has become a structural barrier to innovation and competitiveness. He calls for urgent modernization and the reduction of red tape, warning that without meaningful reform, Canada risks falling behind global peers. The conversation also explores trade uncertainty, including the potential implications of a renegotiated or disrupted North American trade framework. With deeply integrated supply chains across Canada and the U.S., food manufacturers are navigating volatility while delaying investment decisions amid policy ambiguity. Graydon also shares insights on the Grocery Code of Conduct, emphasizing its importance in stabilizing relationships between retailers and manufacturers. While not a direct solution to food affordability, he positions the code as a critical mechanism for restoring balance, fostering collaboration, and enabling long-term innovation across the food ecosystem. Beyond the interview, the episode opens with a robust discussion on the latest food and agriculture news shaping Canada. Topics include 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,” where rising demand from higher-income consumers continues to put pressure on affordability for others. We end by celebrating a key role in restaurants, a Vancouver restaurant that epitomizes the bespoke tin seafood TikTok trend (Como Taperia), and former NFL star Laurent Duvernay-Tardif purchasing a Montreal bakery. About UsDr. 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 “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s 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 prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. 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. 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. Michael LeBlanc is 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. He has been recognized by the ...
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • FOPL Impact, Sweet Quebec Food Fraud, Kit Kat Caper (to Russia with Love?), and guest Stéphane Thuillier, CEO of SIAL Canada

    FOPL Impact, Sweet Quebec Food Fraud, Kit Kat Caper (to Russia with Love?), and guest Stéphane Thuillier, CEO of SIAL Canada
    Apr 9 2026
    In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Stéphane Thuillier, CEO of SIAL Canada, for an in-depth conversation on the future of food innovation, global trade shows, and Canada’s expanding influence in the international food ecosystem. Thuillier shares his global perspective from leading one of the world’s most important food exhibition networks, with SIAL events spanning countries including France, China, India, and Canada. He explains why Canada is emerging as a high-growth market for food innovation and how SIAL Canada is breaking attendance and exhibitor records in 2026. The discussion explores the enduring value of in-person trade shows in a post-pandemic world, highlighting the limits of digital-only engagement and the importance of physical product discovery, relationship-building, and real-time collaboration. The conversation also dives into key food trends shaping the industry, including the rise of “buy Canadian,” demand for affordable and private label products, the growth of functional and health-focused foods, and the increasing importance of multicultural offerings reflecting Canada’s diverse population. Thuillier also provides practical advice for entrepreneurs and attendees on how to maximize their trade show experience—balancing structured meetings with open exploration to uncover unexpected opportunities. First, the episode opens with the food and agriculture news of the week, where Michael and Sylvain analyze the ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting global food supply chains, particularly the volatility in energy markets and fertilizer access linked to the Strait of Hormuz . They discuss how uncertainty is driving cost inflation across the food system, from farming to retail. The hosts also examine a major food fraud case involving adulterated maple syrup in Quebec, raising concerns about oversight and trust in Canada’s food system. In addition, they break down new research on Health Canada’s front-of-pack labelling, revealing early evidence that the policy is influencing consumer behaviour—particularly among Gen Z shoppers About UsDr. 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 “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s 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 prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. 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. 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. Michael LeBlanc is 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. 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.
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    48 mins
  • Government Grocers, Mega-Mergers, Cash & Carry Battles, Alberta Whisky and guest Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group

    Government Grocers, Mega-Mergers, Cash & Carry Battles, Alberta Whisky and guest Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group
    Apr 2 2026
    What does it really take to run one of Canada's largest western grocery enterprises — and what does the future of food retail actually look like from the inside? This week on the Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Professor Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Jamie Nelson, President of Pattison Food Group, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on grocery economics, consumer behaviour, supply chain complexity, AI adoption, and the evolving Buy Canadian movement. Nelson joined the grocery business as a retail clerk in Mission, BC in 1979 and never looked back. Today he leads Pattison Food Group — the organization he describes as "the biggest of the mids" — with nearly 30,000 employees, over 308 retail locations, and 11 banners stretching from Victoria to Whitehorse to Winnipeg, including the flagship Save On Foods brand. He opens up about what Canadians don't understand about the true cost of running a grocery store: diesel prices, labour agreements, rising property taxes, construction costs, and security — all of which squeeze margins that consumers rarely see. On consumer trends, Nelson sees a fundamental shift underway. Today's shoppers are demanding more control, seeking cleaner ingredients, locally sourced products, and genuine innovation — not just another new flavour in a 90-foot cereal aisle. He shares how Pattison's private label Western Family and their new natural and organic line, Only Goodness (now at 500 SKUs), are helping differentiate the business and meet this demand head-on. Nelson also offers a measured, pragmatic take on AI in grocery — welcoming the opportunity but urging caution on investment, noting that rushing in can raise costs rather than reduce them. On supply chains, he speaks from hard-won experience: forecasting product orders three months out, managing natural disasters, and ensuring that small-town independents served by Pattison's wholesale arm never face a food security gap. Then the hosts dig into the food industry news of the week. They unpack the NDP's proposal for government-run grocery stores under new leader Avi Lewis — debating whether publicly owned grocery is feasible, and whether co-ops might be a smarter alternative. They analyze the massive McCormick-Unilever Foods merger, creating a $65 billion CPG giant, and what it means for competition and consumer prices. They discuss Sysco's $29 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot, the rise of cash-and-carry retail, and the growing threat to traditional food distribution. And they wrap up with Alberta's move to create a protected "Alberta Whisky" designation — and what geographic branding could mean for Canadian food and beverage innovation. About UsDr. 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 “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s 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 prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. 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. 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. Michael LeBlanc is 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 ...
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    45 mins
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