It’s been a somewhat somber week in the world of food news with additional Kinder chocolate recalls and the alarmingly rapid spread of avian influenza snagging the majority of headlines, but if you’re looking to get caught up on other notable stories from the past week, we’re here to help.
From the conclusion of the Frito-Lay and Loblaws price dispute to a collection of acclaimed chefs touting the culinary capabilities of induction stoves, to a pair of concerning reports from Canadian beekeepers and food rescue organization Second Harvest, here are five food stories you might have missed this week.
Canadian beekeepers report major losses
Beekeepers across Canada have been opening up their hives for the spring season and this past week, reports of major colony losses have come out of Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
Early reports suggest that the three provinces have lost an average of 40 to 45 per cent of their bees since last year, while colonies in other provinces like Saskatchewan and Quebec have estimated losses that range from 30 to 60 per cent, which the Canadian Honey Council says will likely lead to serious issues down the line.
Find out more at CBC News.
Second Harvest releases new Wasted Opportunity report
Food rescue organization Second Harvest released its third report in an ongoing food-waste-reduction roadmap that takes a deep dive into how much surplus edible food (food that is good to eat but is not consumed) is being wasted by the food industry.
According to the report, Canada produces roughly 3.2 million metric tonnes of surplus edible food nationally, 96 per cent of which is either thrown away or diverted to an alternate use.
Find the full report at Second Harvest.
Acclaimed chefs speak on the advantages of induction stoves
Gas stoves have long been lauded as the optimal equipment for professional and home cooks alike, however, recent research regarding environmental and health risks have exposed several causes for concern.
According to a new story from CBC News that featured acclaimed chefs like Oliver and Bonacini’s John Horne and Maenam’s Angus An, making the move from gas to induction stoves also provide a slew of culinary advantages as well.
Visit CBC News for the full breakdown.
Frito-Lay resumes shipments to Loblaw
The nearly month-long price dispute between Frito-Lay and Loblaw Inc. seemingly came to an end this week after a spokesperson from Loblaw announced that a resolution had been reached between the PepsiCo-owned chip manufacturer and the supermarket giant.
Although neither party has revealed any details regarding the negotiation, fans of Frito-Lays should expect to see the product return to Loblaw shelves in the very near future.
Find the full story at Global News.
Grocers roundtable meeting seeks to establish new code of conduct for food industry
With tensions between big grocers and their suppliers at an all-time high and price disputes like that of Frito-Lay and Loblaw resulting in empty supermarket shelves, executives from Canada’s largest food companies and retail chains have been looking for amicable ways to avoid future supply chain disruptions.
To that end, some of the biggest names in the food industry are reportedly holding a roundtable meeting this week to discuss a new industry-wide code of conduct that advocates say would end the long-standing power imbalance that has existed within the industry for decades.
Head to the Financial Post for more information.
