Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

“Canada is an agricultural superpower,” says Evan Fraser, director of AFI. “If any country is poised to benefit from a changing climate — and a growing global population — it is Canada, with its capacity to increase its production, feed the world and grow its exports.” Canada and the U.S. are deeply connected when it comes to food trade—Canadian farmers supply billions in exports to American consumers, from wheat to Christmas trees. But if trade barriers rise, both sides will feel the impact. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPhGbyZf

Building on the success of the first stage of the Loblaw Net-Zero Food Systems Challenge (NZFSC), AFI, University of Guelph, Ontario Agricultural College, and Loblaw Companies Limited are advancing their partnership to tackle critical issues in decarbonizing Canada’s food system. The program’s second phase kicked off this semester, bringing together graduate students and industry leaders to create actionable solutions for a sustainable future. “This challenge is a unique opportunity to create meaningful change while deepening my expertise in sustainability and food systems,” says Forough Sharifi, a PhD student in Management. “It’s the perfect platform to apply cutting-edge technology to real-world challenges.” Read the full post and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gVwGAEmB

How can food producers, restaurant owners, and decision-makers encourage more people to choose plant-based options? Despite growing interest in plant-rich diets, adoption in Canada remains low. Many people see these foods as unfamiliar, lacking in taste, or misaligned with cultural norms. Confusion around labelling only adds to the challenge. Terms such as “vegan,” “plant-based,” and “meatless” are commonly used, but what do they really mean for consumers? Learn more from Dr. Sadaf Mollaei, Arrell Chair in Business of Food, in her latest article published in The Conversation Canada. She shares four low-cost tips and recommendations that could help positively influence consumer choices.

We had an amazing panel discussion with six leaders across the agri-food space at our #SeedingNewGround event on Monday. Here are some key points our team took away from the discussion: ✨When we talk about a resilient agri-food system, it's about withstanding shocks, recovering quickly, and adapting for long-term sustainability. But resilience looks different at each stage of the supply chain and we need to keep that in mind when we create, implement, and scale solutions. ✨ Key challenges to establishing a systems approach in agri-food include: 1) The need for centralized coordination across the industry; 2) The need for standardized, interoperable systems to capture data and sustainability metrics; and 3) The need to align policy with the work being done in the industry by establishing a national vision and targets. ✨As we progress in establishing a systems approach towards a more resilient agri-food system in Canada, solutions must focus on 1) Supporting farmers by incentivizing sustainability without adding bureaucratic burdens; 2) Implementing better tech solutions that integrate with each other; 3) The important, unique roles different actors across the agri-food system have in supporting this work; and 4) Ensuring all stakeholders - from farmers to processors to retailers to policymakers - work together towards this future. ✨ Finally, at the end of the day, the work and commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration to build a resilient, sustainable agri-food system must drive real-world impact. Thank you to Evan Fraser, Tim Faveri, Lara C. Fabiano, Kathleen Sullivan, Barbara Swartzentruber, and Neil Weins for sharing your thoughts and for creating such an interesting discussion #CdnAg #OttawaEvents #CdnAgDay #AgAnnouncements #FutureOfFood Replenish Nutrients Metro Inc. Maple Leaf Foods Inc Nutrien Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

Are you an innovative Ontario-based agri-tech or agri-food company looking for help to grow your business? 🌱 💡 Applications are now open for Round 2 of the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH) Initiative! Through Bioenterprise Canada's growing alliance, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, don’t miss out on your chance to access: ✅ Customized mentorship ✅ Business resources ✅ Connections to funding and services Learn more and apply today ➡️ https://ow.ly/gJzT50UZOEi Watch the recorded information session ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gYuZ_Df5 #OntarioAg #FoodTech #AgriTech #Innovation

Agriculture is the rock star of the Canadian economy, and we have an opportunity to lead the ag-tech revolution. On the latest episode of the Disruptors X CDL: Innovation Era, Sonia Sennik and I chat with industry experts, Evan Fraser and Alison Sunstrum, on the role that technology and innovation can play in getting Canada ahead of the competition. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/g6F8gzEU #podcast #agtech #agriculture Creative Destruction Lab

Happy Canada's Agriculture Day from Arrell Food Institute and Food from Thought . This week, members of our team are in Ottawa attending FCC / FAC's Future of Food event, National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF)'s wo inina 2025, and Seeding New Ground by Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA). They are ready to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful conversations with changemakers in the Canadian agri-food space. As politics north and south of the border continue to shift, this is a moment to recognize the enduring strength of our agricultural sector thanks to the farmers, researchers, producers, and leaders who drive its growth. Visit AFI's Featured Projects webpage to learn how we contribute to ensuring a resilient and thriving future. Link: https://lnkd.in/gadZh6kF #CdnAgDay #FoodSystem #Agriculture #AgriFood

There was a lot of optimism about progress on a net-zero agri-food system in Canada at the #SeedingNewGround - CANZA's Vision in Action event in Ottawa this morning! Collaboration is key. #CdnAgDay #lovecdnfood Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

There was a lot of optimism about progress on a net-zero agri-food system in Canada at the #SeedingNewGround - CANZA's Vision in Action event in Ottawa this morning! Collaboration is key. #CdnAgDay #lovecdnfood Canadian Alliance for Net Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

Pretty much everything Canadians eat each day crosses the Canada–U.S. border. Often, our food criss-crosses multiple times. Take blueberries grown in B.C.’s Fraser Valley, shipped south to Washington state for processing, then shipped back to Canadian grocery stores.   But what happens when tariffs disrupt this fragile web? The answer isn’t just higher prices but a fundamental threat to Canada’s food security. In their latest op-ed, Evan Fraser and Lenore Newman unpack how free trade shaped our food system and what it means for Canada now. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giaGmmVh