It has been a year since the beginning of the pandemic and the food and beverage industry has adapted (many times) to overcome the challenges it faces.
In the past few years, there have been heated disputes between food and drink product vendors and major retail grocery companies for a myriad of issues. A new joint project headed by Empire Company Ltd. and Food, Health and Consumers of Canada is attempting to have the federal government adopt rules to fix these often tenuous relationships.
Is there room in the realm of Italian food for a new pasta shape? We shall see as podcaster Dan Pashman has created a unique new pasta shape.
After not much action in Canada since 2018, the famous American chain Chipotle is ramping up their expansion as of next week. There is plenty of buzz surrounding a new drive-thru only concept as well as other six other restaurant openings.
Here are some notable Canadian food news stories that you may have missed this week.
Empire Company Ltd. urges federal government to adopt rules for suppliers
Last week, Sobeys’ parent company Empire Company Ltd. purchased 52 per cent of Longo’s shares. The company garnered more press this week with its proposal for a Canadian Grocery Supply Code of Practice in collaboration with Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP).
Similar to a code of conduct that Great Britain already implements, this new system will hopefully help fairly settle complaints regarding unfair grocer-vendor practices.
As of Thursday, the proposed code has been submitted to a working government group for consideration.
Read more about it in The Globe and Mail.
Vancouver restaurant owners reflects its year of the pandemic
For most of us, late March serves as an anniversary of sorts when it comes to the pandemic in Canada. Juke and Beetbox owners Justin Tisdall and Bryan Satterford reflect upon their roller-coaster journey from last spring to now.
This story is all too familiar for those who work in the industry, but provides a great indepth look at how one small restaurant group found creative ways to weather the storm.
Read their story on Vancouver is Awesome.
Discovering Molson Pilsner’s true Alberta origins
Many people often associate Old Style Pilsner with two things: the movie Fuber and Saskatchewan. However, a recent news story helps to point out that the iconic beer actually has roots in Alberta. The Alberta Brewing and Malting Co. was to thank for creating the beer–following the end of prohibition in 1926–that is now both strongly associated with Saskatchewan and owned by Molson-Coors Canada Inc.
The more you know!
Head on to Global News to read the historical story.
Podcaster creates a new pasta shape
Popular American food podcaster Dan Pashman has created a new pasta shape. Dubbed as "cascatelli", the award-winning The Sporkful host had developed this comma (or apostrophe) shaped pasta with elements such as a parallel bumps to hold more sauce.
A conversation between Pashman and CBC's As it Happens host Carol Off explains the three-year journey to develop the shape.
CBC News has the full conversation.
Chipotle to open its first Canadian drive-thru only concept this summer
Popular American chain Chipotle recently announced further expansion into Canada. Their first new location in three years is set to open in Surrey on Tuesday and later this summer, Port Coquitlam will see Chipotlane, its drive-thru digital order concept. The intention is to have easy access for customers to get their takeout in under a minute.
Go to Daily Hive for more information.
City of Calgary waiving business licence fees for two more years
The City of Calgary has announced that they will be waiving off certain license fees to small businesses. The intention was to find a way to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to small businesses and to improve the economy.
Since last year, business licence renewals have been waived and now other fees related to fire inspection and planning could follow suit.
Read more about it on CBC News.
