Quebec milk producer Opalia gets $3.2M financing

Cows producing milk can be tough on the atmosphere but a Quebec company is hoping to market a more environmentally friendly dairy product. Opalia recently closed a $3.2 million round of funding. However, obtaining capital remains the biggest challenge.

Restaurants struggling with higher costs: Report

Affordability is top of mind for many these days but perhaps none more so than Canada’s restaurants, where discretionary spending is critical to the industry. A new Restaurants Canada report forecasts lower restaurant spending in 2026, after growth in 2025.

Phytokana lands $450 million sales agreements

Phytokana Ingredients has secured $450 million in offtake agreements for its fava bean products, supporting its planned commercial-scale facility in Strathmore, Alta. The deals involve both domestic and overseas companies, with contracts spanning three to 10 years.

Sunrise Farms to build $100M plant in Woodstock, Ont.

A major Canadian poultry producer is planning a new processing facility in Woodstock, Ont., as part of a more than $100-million investment. Family-owned Sunrise Farms, founded in British Columbia in 1983, employs more than 3,000 people across Canada.

Researcher calls on gov'ts to question high poultry prices

An analyst says governments need to talk to suppliers, producers to find out why grocery items governed by supply management are rising excessively. Sylvain Charlebois of Dalhousie University was responding to chicken prices that surpassed $5 a pound.

Supply crunch, tariffs drag on High Liner’s profits

The Lunenburg, N.S. seafood company reported weaker first-quarter earnings despite strong sales growth, as supply shortages, tariffs and elevated freight and storage costs continued to pressure profitability. The company reported an 8.7-per-cent fall in EBITDA to $29.3 million.

Gay Lea’s new HQ honours agricultural heritage

Inside the reception area of Gay Lea Foods’ new headquarters in Etobicoke, Ont., an installation of photographs immediately appears. Images of dairy cows, farming families, and workers in vintage uniforms trace the lineage of the co-operative since its 1958 founding.

Fredericton non-profit farm sees growing interest

As grocery prices climb, some Fredericton residents are looking to backyard gardening. Dozens of people got their hands dirty at a Fredericton non-profit farm recently. Hayes Farm sells starter plants and hosts food-production workshops every two weeks.

Couche-Tard’s head of data, AI resigns

Iris Singhania, vice-president of global data, analytics and AI for Laval, Que.-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, has resigned. “I am profoundly grateful for this experience,” she said on LinkedIn. Singhania joined Couche-Tard in January 2025, according to her bio.

Jack Daniel’s maker rejects US$15 billion buyout offer

Brown-Forman has rejected a US$32-per-share cash takeover offer from U.S. ‌spirits maker Sazerac, according to a source familiar with the matter, weeks after talks between the Jack Daniel’s maker and France’s Pernod Ricard fell apart.

Small grocers raise concerns about industry imbalance

The Globe and Mail reported last month that suppliers such as Maple Leaf and Unilever were informing grocers of their plans to apply fuel surcharges. But owners of independent stores are worried that they are disproportionately bearing the burden.

Food Industry Financial Reports

Big Rock Brewery (BR-T) PR Newswire

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited (CSW-A-T) TMX Money

Else Nutrition Holdings (BABY-T) PR Newswire

Covered Bridge Potato Chip says fixes coming

Over a dozen residents of Woodstock, N.B. have are planning to take legal action against Covered Bridge Potato Chip company for excessive noise, smells and traffic. In response, the company says it is continuing efforts to limit its facility’s impact.

Stinky factory settles with angry neighbours

A processing facility has reached a nearly US$1 million settlement with neighbours who filed a class-action lawsuit to complain about smells and noises. Prestige Feed Products, of Mount Prospect, Ill., emitted a “burned cheese” smell.

Starbucks to cut 300 more corporate roles

Starbucks is rebounding from a slump with new products, more marketing, and accurate orders as part of chief executive Brian Niccol’s turnaround. The chain is reducing US$2 billion in costs and has already cut more than 2,000 roles.

Chef Robotics creates system for prep table food assembly

Chef Robotics is developing a new physical AI system designed to handle meal assembly tasks on prep tables, such as back-of-house burger or burrito assembly. These tasks are lower-volume but higher-complexity than food manufacturing on conveyor lines.