Marise May

🗞️ Weekly plant-based news round-up 🗞️ Some of this week's top stories on The Plant Base: 💚 New Eat-Lancet report emphasises urgency of global food system transformation 💚 Protein Industries Canada announces five new projects to strengthen Canadian agri-food supply chain 💚 QUT (Queensland University of Technology) invests AUD 18m in pilot-scale fermentation facility Products and solutions 🛒 🍔 Planted's new 'Crispy' breaded range, designed to offer healthier indulgence 💪 L-Nutra, Inc's longevity-focused protein bar, developed to support muscle health and healthy ageing 🍕 BOSH!'s ready meal and pizza range, launching at Tesco next week And this week's exclusive: 💫 Almond Board of California's Harbinder Maan highlights the benefits of formulating with almonds across different product categories as demand rises for healthy and versatile ingredients: https://lnkd.in/emVX8kaB 🔗 For all news and exclusives, visit theplantbasemag.com 💚

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🇨🇦🔋 From Orchards to Operations — Supporting Quebec’s Apple Industry One Battery at a Time! 🍏🔧 In Quebec, apple orchards are more than picturesque farmland. They fuel a thriving agri-food industry that produces apple sauces, pies, and more — much of it destined for export. But behind every fresh product lies a chain of machines and equipment that must run reliably. And when maintenance gets delayed due to peak production, battery failure can bring operations to a halt. 📍 Service Call – Agri-Food Sector / Orchard Operations. 🔧 Issue: Two positive terminals on an industrial battery were heavily corroded. The backs of the connectors showed heat damage and resistance build-up, compromising power delivery. ⏱️ Urgency: Maintenance had been deferred to keep up with production quotas — now it was time to catch up. 🛠️ Our Repair Strategy: 1️⃣ Battery Terminals ✔ Terminals were thoroughly cleaned and acid was neutralized using proper agents ✔ Physical assessment confirmed that the terminals, though corroded, were still structurally sound — no replacement needed ✔ Applied terminal protectant to delay future corrosion 2️⃣ Battery Cables ✔ Damaged ends were trimmed and inspected ✔ Sufficient cable length allowed a clean reconnection ✔ Fresh welding and mechanical securing completed the job ♻️ Why It Matters: 🔄 Circular Economy in Action – Instead of replacing everything, we preserved what was still functional, reducing material waste and carbon footprint. 💸 Smart Economics – Repairs cost significantly less than full replacements. Every dollar saved in maintenance helps the bottom line. 🌱 Sustainable Thinking – Intelligent field decisions reduce environmental strain while keeping operations efficient and resilient. 💡 Team Reflections: Nova: “This service call highlights how sustainability and cost-effectiveness can work hand-in-hand — all while minimizing production downtime.” Stratega: “Energy, agriculture, and logistics are deeply intertwined. Keeping batteries in top shape keeps the food chain flowing.” Gaïa: “Every battery terminal saved is a win for the planet. Fieldwork like this drives the future of responsible industry.” 📌 Location: Franklin, Montérégie, QC 🍎 Industry: Apple Processing / Food Manufacturing 🔋 Intervention: Smart, Targeted Battery Maintenance 🔖 #CircularEconomy #IndustrialSupport #SustainableBatteries #QuebecPride #SmartMaintenance #AppleIndustry #EnergyResilience #GaiaOnTheGround #VeloxPower

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Amazing collaboration between New School Foods (powered by NS/TX) and Infusd Nutrition! Transforming plant based nutrition! Natural Products Canada

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About Colin Brisebois The future of farming in Canada is being shaped by passionate innovators — and Colin Brisebois, Vice-President of Products and Market Strategies at FCC and an active farmer himself, is at the forefront. With years of experience in agriculture leadership and hands-on farming, Colin brings a unique perspective on both the business and practical sides of modern farming. In this episode of The Impact Farming Show, Colin dives into: ✅ Why this is an exciting time to enter agriculture and the opportunities waiting for the next generation ✅ Key trends shaping the future — technology, sustainability, succession planning, and diversified income streams ✅ What emerging producers really need beyond financing: knowledge, advice, and confidence ✅ A real-world success story showcasing how FCC supports young producers in building resilient farms Whether you’re an aspiring producer, an industry professional, or curious about how Canadian agriculture is evolving, Colin’s insights provide inspiration and actionable guidance for anyone looking to thrive in the ag sector. ▶️ Listen or watch now: https://lnkd.in/gyzUmQVw Tracy Brunet FCC / FAC #ImpactFarming #NextGenAg #FarmLeadership #CanadianAgriculture #FCC #YoungFarmers #AgInnovation

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"Canada will see its net number of restaurants decline by about 4,000 this year, simply due to economic fundamentals. People are either losing their jobs or have less to spend. That said, the sector is resilient and will find a way to bounce back in 2027." More about this o the Food Professor Podcast.

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What’s making headlines in Regen CPG this week? 🤝 Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods x Whole Foods Market Three new Hemp+ Superfood Smoothie Boosters — Mood, Energy & Immunity — each powered by Regenerative Organic Certified® hemp, adaptogens, and 7–8g of plant-based protein. 🍫 Dr. Bronner's exits the chocolate biz…and passes the torch to Magic Chocolate Inc. Their mission? Scale ethical, ROC, Fair Trade chocolate while supporting 950+ cocoa farmers across West Africa and Southeast Asia. Other top stories this week: 🐄 Verde Farms brings 100% grass-fed, regeneratively raised beef to 89 new Albertsons & Safeway stores across the Mountain West. 🌱 Neal Family Vineyards calls out “sustainable” as the new greenwashing, pushing instead for certified organic and regenerative standards. ☕️ Nestlé beats its regen ag goal — with 32% of Nescafé’s coffee now sourced from farmers incorporating regen practices, surpassing its 2025 target well ahead of schedule. 🍵 Suntory Holdings Limited pilots biochar & soil health programs in tea and sweet potato fields — turning waste into resilience across their global beverage supply chain. 🛍️ Kiss The Ground has launched free Regenerative Purchasing Guides to help shoppers align their food choices with personal and planetary health. Get the full scoop automatically delivered to your inbox each week ↙️ 📬 Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eARNDU7Q #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #regenerativefoodsystems #cpg #regenbrands #food #beverage #sustainability #newsletter #news

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🥗♻️ Cutting food waste with innovation. The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) has announced $1.2M in funding for five food-tech startups through its Foodtech Next Program — including $250K for Calgary-based Knead Tech. Knead, led by cofounder & CEO Lourdes Juan, will pilot its Matching Modules platform to streamline food rescue logistics and connect surplus food with those who need it most. “This project is an important step toward reducing food waste and ensuring more food makes it to the people who need it most,” said Juan. Full story here 👇 #CalgaryTech https://lnkd.in/dmaSfjq2

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This is Protein Industries Canada’s first stop on a national listening tour. If you’re involved in Saskatchewan’s food production and value-added agriculture sector - plan to join us in Saskatoon next week! I expect it to be a lively discussion as we discuss how we can take Canada’s food production, ingredient manufacturing and value-added agriculture sector to the next level - anchored in some new market research. #CdnAg #MakeitHere We will also be in Calgary on March 18 and Winnipeg on March 27. More information here: Calgary: https://lnkd.in/g-Mczmy7 Winnipeg: https://lnkd.in/guEyhpKX

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Great energy in the room last night as Canadian Food Innovation Network and Venturepark brought our communities together for a Founder Friday meet-up following Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) West. More than 100 people joined us — CFIN members, Venture Park associates, and many new faces discovering our networks for the first time. The room was buzzing with conversations, idea exchange, and the kind of peer-to-peer mentorship that fuels real progress. And the best part? New collaborations are already taking shape — including plans for a CFIN event focused on scaling CPG companies with Jake Karls and Mike Fata! This is exactly what strong innovation communities are meant to do: connect people, spark ideas, and turn conversations into action. Thanks to everyone who joined us — more to come. Plus a plan to do a similar event at CHFA East next fall. Thanks for your partnership Glen Price and Arlene Dickinson. Great work by my team Lavina Gully, Jamil Karim and Richa Gupta

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Canadian Food Innovation Network awards $1.2M to 13 foodtech projects through its Innovation Booster Program. AI was the central focus of this funding round, with ingredient innovation also receiving attention. Read here- https://lnkd.in/dfskJTk9 #foodmanufacturing #foodinnovation #foodandbeverage

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Excited to share ALT PRO Advantage is in the Top 20 companies selected for the Startup TNT Agri-food Investment Summit powered by FCC / FAC! Check out these Canadian innovators improving the the way we produce #feed and #food

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𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬. Every year, SIAL Canada brings the global agri-food industry to one powerful marketplace in Canada. From food manufacturers and exporters to distributors and retail buyers, the event opens doors to real trade conversations and new market entry. For businesses looking to expand internationally, Canada offers a strong and diverse food market with growing demand for global products. SIAL Canada creates the environment where these opportunities turn into partnerships, distribution deals, and long-term growth. A place where products meet buyers, and businesses explore the potential of the North American market.

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Canada's food and beverage manufacturers are the backbone of our food security and economic resilience - yet they continue to face challenges that threaten their ability to feed Canadians and compete globally. Food and Beverage Canada - Aliments et boissons Canada 2025 Federal Budget recommendations focus on modernizing regulations, tackling chronic labour shortages, boosting competitiveness, and investing in domestic food and beverage processing capacity. Grateful for the contributions of our provincial partners - CTAQ Food and Beverage Ontario Food and Beverage Atlantic BC Food & Beverage Food and Beverage Manitoba Alberta Food Processors Association (AFPA) - and our Policy and Advocacy Committee Members - Gabrielle Fallu Charles Bergeron David Anyanwu, PhD, PMP Kathleen Sullivan Alexander Cutillo Carol Frazer Marie Ly Drew Redden Vincent Lambert. #cdnagri #foodandbeverage

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🚀 Turning Ontario Agri-Food Innovation into Real Market Growth Ontario agri-innovators, this one’s for you. If you’re building an agri-food or agri-tech solution but feel stuck between innovation and traction, the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH) was created to help you bridge that gap. Led by Bioenterprise Canada through its Food & Agri-Tech Engine, and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/ Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada, GOAH helps founders overcome two common growth barriers: 🌱 From idea to market fit GOAH offers customized mentorship and strategic business support to help innovators move from proof of concept to commercial readiness. 🤝 From isolation to ecosystem It connects you to funding programs, expert advisors, and partners who can accelerate your growth and scale your impact. 📅 Free Virtual Info Session 🗓 February 11, 2026 ⏰ 2:00 PM ET 🔗 Register: https://ow.ly/WYtv50Y6zJz 🔗 Learn more & apply: https://ow.ly/b9Uj50Y6zJy #AgriFood #AgriTech #OntarioInnovation #FoodEntrepreneurs #StartupGrowth #Bioenterprise #Sustainability

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"In its quest for profitability by 2027, Canopy Growth Corp. is now Canada’s largest medical cannabis company by revenue after the acquisition of profitable former competitor MTL Cannabis Corp. The deal, finalized Monday, is expected to boost Canopy’s export efforts and generate $10 million in cost savings and revenue within 18 months, according to a news release. “The acquisition of MTL is a defining step forward in strengthening Canopy Growth’s core Canadian business and advancing our path toward sustainable profitability,” CEO Luc Mongeau said in a statement."" It cannot be done. There is no path to profit for Canopy Growth Corporation - none. No combination of revenue increases and cost cuts - none. They know that - I am sure they've run the numbers many, many times - I have as well. Which is why they have never laid out the waterfall chart that somehow gets them to profitability - CGC being profitable (like, real grown up Net Income profitable and not Adjusted EBITDA profitable) is like Tilray having 2024 revenues of $4 billion - it's a made up promise cloaked in "Forward Looking Statements". Look at Gross Margin versus just SG&A - look at how SG&A is almost $23 million more in Q3 and is more than $57 million more in the first 9 months of their latest fiscal. Look at their Net Loss of $105.8 million year to date. And this is better than last year -it's about the best they can ever get. That $10 million in cost savings? That will come from part of the more than $10 million they are adding with the acquisition of MTL - I challenge anyone to run the numbers and produce a scenario that gets CGC to fiscal year profitable...anyone.

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🌱 The Metro Vancouver region is emerging as a key player in Canada’s agri-foodtech landscape, with strong investment activity reflecting both national and regional strengths. Between 2020 and 2024, agri-foodtech firms headquartered in the region attracted $1.2 billion USD in funding. The investments of $371 million raised by firms in consumer packaged goods, $192 million by those in precision agriculture, and $185 million in alternative proteins underscore the region’s role in advancing innovation beyond traditional agriculture. Canada’s strong focus on agritech is reflected locally in our region, where investment in precision agriculture and sustainable food innovation is particularly robust, positioning the region as a hub for value-added agri-foodtech development. 🔗 Want to learn more? Check out our latest research on the agri-foodtech industry: https://lnkd.in/guimRfhw #agritech #foodtech #agtech #metrovancouver

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Ten years ago, Marc Lafleur was often dismissed as a “non-technical founder.” Lafleur proved the naysayers wrong. He grew truLOCAL into a national e-commerce business, offering meat and seafood delivery from local farms and fisheries across Canada. By 2019, the company had more than 60 employees and exceeded $20 million in annual revenue. In 2020, Lafleur sold truLOCAL for $16.7 million. A couple years later, he set his sights on a new project.  As he planned his second startup, his non-technical background didn’t seem to matter anymore. AI had changed the game. “I started finding very quickly that I could do more stuff on my own. If I had the vision for something, AI was starting to be able to do it.”  OpenAI had just launched a new product called ChatGPT. A few months later, the company released their API platform, allowing anyone to build their own AI products using the ChatGPT models. “It became obvious to me that we were entering a golden age of entrepreneurship,” Lafleur says. After months of research and planning, the non-technical founder launched DB8 Labs, a venture studio building a portfolio of lean, high-impact AI businesses. “If you want to get into AI, you should. But the next thing that you should ask is, ‘Where are you going to have the biggest impact with AI?’” Lafleur is excited to share this message with other non-technical entrepreneurs on special episodes of @CBC’s Dragons' Den Canada this winter. He joins other successful past pitchers taking their seats as Dragons, where he’ll listen to new pitches, share expertise and maybe even invest. You can watch him on Dragons’ Den Full Circle on February 26 and March 6, 2026 — or stream it anytime on CBC Gem. Full Story: https://lnkd.in/gfvXpBvw | #UWaterlooNews

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Why do cultivators worldwide choose CANNA? Because consistency isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of commercial success. Kush Mountain in Prince George, BC is a strong Canadian example: a micro cultivator producing with an export mindset, powered by CANNA nutrients + COCO FLEX, and backed by CANNA’s global network of plant research and cultivation expertise from Europe to Canada. 🎥 Watch the Grow World Ag feature with Nick Morin + Tyson Wall 👇 #CANNACanada #KushMountain #CANNANutrients #CocoFlex #ExportCannabis #GrownWithCANNA #CultivationScience #GlobalPartner #QualityProvesItself

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