The Food Professor

In this episode Michael and Sylvain unpack food inflation trends, the fallout from Canada’s Food Price Report, instability in Canada’s chicken supply chain, and a series of Tump tariff and trade ripple effects including a $15 billion dollar bailout for U.S. farmers. Then recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada conference they welcome Carman Allison, Vice President, NIQ Canada, who delivers rich data on coffee inflation, consumer vulnerability, demographic shifts, multicultural buying patterns, GLP-1 demand impacts, and growth opportunities for retailers and brands.

On this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois welcome Hugo Magnan, President of Groupe MAG, makers of premium mayonnaise and sauces from Quebec. Hugo shares insights into artisanal food production, flavour innovation, and building a beloved regional brand on the cusp of a national breakout. The hosts then dissect highlights from Canada’s Food Price Report, including a forecasted 4–6% grocery cost increase, centre-aisle restructuring, coffee price spikes, consumer shopping behaviours, and why 2026 may feel different despite continued affordability pressures.

The Food Professor Podcast welcomes Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle, for a compelling deep dive into how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are transforming Canadian food consumption. Hawley shares exclusive insights revealing a surge in GLP-1 usage, a shift from diabetes management to weight loss, and dramatic declines in snacking, alcohol and sugary beverages. Meanwhile, demand for protein-rich and functional foods is rising fast. Michael and Sylvain explore why this trend may become the most disruptive force shaping food retail and restaurants in the decade ahead.

In Part Two of their exclusive interview, Michael and Sylvain speak with Michael Medline, former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, who reflects on vendor relations, the Grocery Code of Conduct, leadership through disruption, and preparing the organization for an AI-driven future. The hosts also dissect breaking news on cloned beef, the newest Canadian Food Sentiment Index, Nutrien’s U.S. expansion decision, the price pressures in beef markets, GLP-1 effects on consumer behaviour, and GoodLeaf Farms’ $52M growth announcement.

In part one of this exclusive two-episode conversation, Sylvain and Michael drop in for a visit with Michael Medline, (now) former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, in what unexpectedly became his final interview in the role. Medline reflects on transforming the national grocer, from revitalizing store networks to modernizing data and digital capabilities, while navigating crises from COVID to supply chain disruptions. Sylvain and Michael also unpack timely food-industry news—from beef and chicken supply pressures to cottage cheese trends and Canadian food safety oversight.