Suzie Yorke

Fava Beans + Mycelium = More Functional and consumer friendly proteins! Canada is investing $32.5M (via Protein Industries Canada) into a project led by Phytokana Ingredients Inc. in collab with Maia Farms. They focus on creating new fava- and mycelium-based ingredients from scaled local supply chains. Fava is naturally high in protein, making its derived ingredients ideal for use in dairy alternatives, plant-based meats and other food products. By combining it with mycelium-based fermentation, ingredients are turned into high-value fermented mushroom proteins with enhanced digestibility and functional properties. This is part of a bigger trend. From MycoTechnology, Inc. fermenting pea and rice protein to remove bitterness, to ENOUGH producing functional mycoproteins, and EQUII enhancing grains with fermented proteins—fermentation is increasingly the key to making plant-based ingredients truly functional and consumer-friendly. At BioNoda, we follow these developments closely. We're excited to see how we can make the innovation process more data-driven—from raw materials to functionality and market fit. 👉 Curious: which fermentation breakthroughs are you most excited about? Shoot! Link: https://lnkd.in/eF3RYgdf #fermentation #protein #mycelium #ingredients

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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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Consumers are asking for more from flavour. Not just intensity, but depth. Botanicals, florals, herbs and fermented notes are no longer niche, they are becoming part of everyday expectations. For tea and beverage brands, this shift opens up real opportunities to innovate with purpose and tell clearer flavour stories. #BrewCrew #TrendReport #2026Trends #TeaIndustry #FlavourTrends

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Canada just showed US regulators what honest potency labelling looks like — and most operators haven't noticed yet. Village Farms / Pure Sunfarms is piloting THC range labelling in BC. Instead of a single point value on the label, the product shows a range — say, 18–24% THC. That small change carries a big admission: batch-to-batch variation is real, it's normal, and hiding it behind a single number doesn't make it go away. It just makes it a liability. Here's what's actually happening underneath that pilot. Single-point potency values have always been a convenient fiction. A COA is a snapshot of one tested batch. The product sitting next to it on the shelf (same SKU, different lot may test meaningfully different). Brands know this. Labs know this. Regulators are starting to know this too. Range labelling doesn't introduce uncertainty; it just stops pretending the uncertainty doesn't exist. For US hemp and THC brands, the implication is direct. Your label says 10mg. Your batch COA says 9.1–11.4mg across the last six runs. Those two things are in tension, and right now regulators mostly aren't looking. That changes. Here's the prediction — and the pattern is clear if you've watched how US state frameworks have absorbed Canadian practice over the last decade: range labelling moves into US state rulemaking within the next 12–18 months. The question isn't whether it comes; it's whether it arrives via a thoughtful rulemaking process or via an enforcement action against a brand whose single-point claim didn't survive a market surveillance test. California, Minnesota, and New York are the states to watch first. They have the most active label review infrastructure and the political appetite to borrow from frameworks that are already working. If you're a brand building labels today, the smart move is to run your own internal range analysis now. Look at your last 8–10 batch COAs per SKU. If the spread is wide, you want to know that before a regulator does — and you want a documentation trail showing you identified it and addressed it. The brands that thrive in the next regulatory cycle won't be the ones who fought range labelling. They'll be the ones who built for it before it was required. Are your current COAs tight enough to defend a single-point claim — or are you one market-surveillance test away from a label problem? 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲. Send any batch COA PDF to analyze@kushtrax.com for a free compliance check. #hempCompliance #thcLabelling #cannabisRegulation #potencyDisclosure

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🚨 New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Featuring an interview with Vince Sgabellone recorded live from the floor of the SIAL CanadaFood Innovation Show in Toronto, this episode of The Food Professor #podcast is packed with 🔥 insights, trends, and stories from the frontlines of food and retail. 🎧 I’m joined by my co-host Dr. Sylvain Charlebois as we break down the week’s biggest stories: ✅ PM Carney’s surprise reversal on Bill C-282 and what it means for Canadian supply management 🇨🇦 ✅ The return of Trump-era tariffs and why Canada’s calm response might be a smart move 🛑 ✅ A global black pepper shortage (BBQ lovers, take note! 🌶️) ✅ New NielsenIQ data showing Canadians cutting back on U.S. brands 🇺🇸📉 Then, we welcome special guest Vince Sgabellone, Foodservice Industry Analyst at Circana Canada, who shares exclusive data on: 🍽️ The explosive rise of global cuisine in Canada 👨🏽‍🍳 How immigration and Gen Z are reshaping restaurant visits 📈 Why takeout & delivery are on the rise again 🧍‍♂️ The growing trend of solo dining—and what it means for restaurant design …plus, we wrap with a wild story about an 🐘 elephant and a grocery store raid in Thailand. Food always finds a way to surprise us! 🎙️ The Food Professor Podcast is presented by our friends at Caddle! 👉 Tune in now: https://lnkd.in/gMVp-t8F #FoodProfessor #FoodPodcast #RetailTrends #CanadianRetail #SupplyManagement #BillC282 #Tariffs #CanadianAg #GlobalCuisine #RestaurantTrends #GenZ #FoodService #ConsumerInsights #SIALCanada2025 #Caddle #FoodInnovation #BBQ #SoloDining #TradePolic #TRE

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Is your organic business a "LIFESTYLE BRAND" or a "BANKABLE ASSET”?  In 2026, the gap between organic sales and organic valuation has never been wider. The Canadian organic market is crossing $10B this year, but for many SMEs, "scaling up" is leading to "thinning out." As a Fractional CFO & CBV, I see the "Strategic Inflection Point" where founders must decide to either manage their margins as strictly as their soil or face the "Margin Squeeze." This week, I am releasing the 2026 Organic Financial Framework: Industry Moats: Why radical transparency is your new competitive shield. The Profit Leaks: Solving for the 3-year certification "Cash Flow Valley." Value Drivers: The "Non-UPF" signal and the premium of nutrient density. The Payoff: How these factors drive a 2x-3x EBITDA multiple boost. Organic isn’t just a farming method—it’s a parallel economy with its own financial rules.

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Today’s grant announcement by Protein Industries Canada is a great accomplishment for the Phytokana Ingredients Inc. team and for the growth of value-added agribusinesses in Canada. PIC’s recognition highlights the numerous technological and automation innovations we are bringing to life to deliver clean label, consistent quality faba ingredients to global food and beverage customers.   Town of Strathmore #PlantBased #AgTech #FoodInnovation #SustainableFood #CanadianInnovation #FutureOfFood #Agribusiness #AlternativeProtein https://lnkd.in/g52YcM4j

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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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Village Farms Introduces Industry-First, One-Way Aroma Valve in Cannabis Packaging Pure Sunfarms brand becomes the first licensed producer in Canada to let consumers see and smell flower before purchase DELTA, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Village Farms International, Inc. (Nasdaq: VFF) today announced another Canadian first innovation from its Pure Sunfarms brand: the launch of a one-way aroma valve built directly into its dried flower packaging. The one-way aroma valve is pressure-activated and designed to release the flower’s scent only when gently squeezed, while preventing air, moisture, and contaminants from entering the bag. The innovation allows consumers to experience the natural aroma of the flower, without opening the package or compromising product integrity. Adapted from proven technology long used in premium coffee packaging, it represents the next evolution in cannabis packaging, bringing a sensory dimension never before available in the legal market. “Smell is powerful—it connects us instantly to how we feel, shaping our choices in ways we don’t even think about,” said Orville Bovenschen, President, Village Farms Canadian Cannabis. “First, we gave people a window so they could see the flower. Now, we’ve added a valve so they can smell it. It might seem like a small thing, but in cannabis, it’s huge. Because it’s more than just aroma: it’s increased accessibility, as well as memory, emotion, and experience all at once. These details matter because they bring everyone back to that first time we smelled and smoked great flower; that moment that stays with you. With this innovation, we’re proud to do that for all consumers.”

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🚨 Attention Food Business Owners: Canada’s Front-of-Package Labelling Deadline is Approaching! 🚨 Starting January 1, 2026, most prepackaged foods sold in Canada that are high in saturated fat, sugars, or sodium must display a Front-of-Package (FOP) nutrition symbol. This is part of Health Canada's initiative to help consumers make healthier choices at a glance. 🔍 What You Need to Know: FOP symbols are mandatory for foods exceeding 15% of the Daily Value (DV) for saturated fat, sugars, or sodium. The transition period ends December 31, 2025: non-compliant products after this date may face enforcement actions. Exemptions exist for certain foods, including those with health benefits or essential nutrients like calcium. Symbols must be clearly displayed on the principal display panel, with specific formatting and placement rules. 💡 Why It Matters: Consumers are increasingly using labels to guide their purchases: 51% read nutrition tables, and 64% will switch brands for better transparency. Businesses may need to reformulate products or adjust packaging to avoid mandatory warning labels and maintain brand trust. 📦 Whether you're a manufacturer, importer, or retailer, now is the time to audit your labels, train your team, and prepare for compliance. www.nerissaallen.com #FoodCompliancePro #FrontOfPackage #CanadianRegulations #FoodLabelling #BBABC #NutritionLabelling #CdnFoodBiz #RegulatorySupport

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Fresh, French-first FOP As of January 1, 2026, Health Canada’s front-of-package nutrition symbol is no longer a “nice-to-have.” If a prepackaged product meets or exceeds the thresholds for saturated fat, sugars and/or sodium, the symbol has to be there—and anything still presented under the old rules is officially out of spec. The only grace note: stock imported, made in Canada, or packaged at retail before Jan. 1 can still sit in warehouses and keep selling through. Two quick observations from the grocery aisle: Nice to see Vachon snack cakes on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart weren’t baked “sometime in 2025” and left to loiter until the compliance deadline. Also nice to see Bimbo Canada—part of Grupo Bimbo (Mexico City)—keeping the presentation French-first, including on the FOP symbol. That’s not a legal requirement in every case, but it is explicitly permitted: bilingual symbols can run English-first or French-first. It’s a small thing, visually. But in Quebec, it’s not small at all: it signals the brand still remembers where its identity, and its most demanding consumers, actually live.

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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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WESTCAP MANAGEMENT INVESTS IN FIT FOODS Interesting move in VMS: Westcap Mgt. Ltd. has invested in Canadian VMS player Fit Foods. Founded in 1996, Fit Foods owns several sports nutrition brands (including PVL - Pure Vita Labs, CAN-WHEY and North Coast Nturals) with over 350 SKUs available omnichannel in 80+ countries. The company employs 200+ people and manages manufacturing in house with a 200k sqft production facility in Canada. Westcap Management is a Canadian PE fund with $1B+ in AUM historically concentrated in Biotech. Westcap’s president Grant Kook plans to use Fit Foods as a platform to break into supplements.

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Protein Industries Canada (PIC): Artificial Intelligence. Funding for collaborative projects that apply artificial intelligence to advance Canada’s plant-based food, feed, and ingredients sectors. https://lnkd.in/eXT8qRWu

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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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Great conversation with Issam Majeed, CFA, CPA, CA at BMO on the journey behind Natura Market and Revive Superfoods. Enjoy!

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