RETAILER FALL PITCH PROGRAM CLOSES THURSDAY
Do you have a product ready to be pitched to grocery, specialty food, or health retailers this fall?
The ever-popular FBA Retailer Pitch Program is now accepting applications!
This fall, we’re excited to announce the addition of IGA in New Brunswick (via Sobeys Quebec) alongside our existing lineup of Sobeys Atlantic, Pete’s Frootique, and Simply for Life.
Application Deadline: September 5th
The application fee is $75 per retailer banner, but you’ll only need to complete one application form.
Applicants receive a 90-minute banner-specific education and training session, plus mentorship throughout the entire process—before, during, and after the pitch.
Peter Chapman of SKU Food and Dwayne Boudreau of FBA will guide you every step of the way to help you succeed!
Maximize Your Partnership: Getting the Most Out of Your Broker/Distributor
Are you considering hiring a broker or distributor to expand your business? Or perhaps you are already working with one or both! Now what? How do you ensure they have everything they need to maximize your sales? And how can you measure their effectiveness?Join this session to learn how to pick the right partner and make the most out of your collaboration. Included is 30 minutes of one-on-one time afterwards for additional feedback.
FBA Members: Free
Non-Members: $49 +HST
Date: September 10th starting at 10am
Facilitated by: Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci, owners of Commerce Life
GS1 Canada Learning Series – Barcodes and Beyond
Learn how your business can leverage a GS1 Canada subscription to access authentic barcodes, data and content standards to ensure you are trade ready for retailers, foodservice, broker-distributors and online marketplaces.
This 4-part series will Introduce you to GS1 global standards, emphasize the importance of unique product identification using GS1 Canada GTINs and barcodes, importing and exporting regulations and GS1 Canada Industry Managed Solutions.
FBA Members: Free
Non-Members: $79
Dates: September 18, September 25, October 2, October 9
Join us at the 2024 FBA Conference & Awards in Charlottetown PEI on October 22nd and 23rd for an unparalleled experience of discovery, networking, and inspiration. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of industry innovation and excellence. Together, let’s Scale Smart!
Watch our video from last year!
Take advantage of our special hotel rates at the Rodd Charlottetown!
IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
PERENNIA’S FOOD VENTURES PROGRAM NOW OPEN!
The Food Ventures program is now open and accepting applications for the 2024/25 year! This program provides financial support for the acceleration of innovative and safe Nova Scotia local products to market using Perennia’s food safety and product development services.
Nova Scotia registered farms and agri-food and beverage businesses can apply for cost-shared funding for Perennia services. The Food Ventures Program also provides technical support and educational resources.
NEW FOR 2024-25: Businesses with gross annual income between $1,500 and $15,000 are now eligible for Food Ventures Program funding to help them reach new markets. Please see the Program Guidelines for more information.
The current intake period for application is open until November 30, 2024.
SPICE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Join the Centre for Women in Business on Thursday, September 19th from 8am-6pm at Mount Saint Vincent University and dive into a day of interactive workshops, expert panels, and invaluable networking sessions tailored to empower you in the world of food entrepreneurship!
CALLING ALL BAKERS!
Join BAC for a gathering of local bakers, pastry chefs, chocolatiers, pizzaioli, and bakery industry people!
This exciting event will provide bakers with an introduction to the Baking Association of Canada, along with education sessions on the building blocks of baking: flour, dough improvers and conditioners, gluten-free baking and yeast.
Date: September 17, 2024
Time: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Location: College of the North Atlantic, 1 Prince Philip Drive, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5P7
Join us and welcome the newest Members of FBA.
Together, we can achieve anything!
- Topsie Crunchies Snacks Inc (Halifax, NS) – Odutope is eager to share these amazing African treats across Atlantic Canada!
- Second Harvest – Proud to partner with you and keep food out of our landfills!
- The Cultured Coconut (Halifax, NS) – Thrilled to have you aboard Linda!
- Coldstream Clear Distillery (Truro, NS) – Delighted to welcome Olivia and Riley to the FBA Family!
THE TEAM IS HERE FOR YOU!
The team at Food & Beverage Atlantic is here to service your needs, make connections, and provide unbiased advice.
Above: Nancy Brace, Tammy Brideau, and Dwayne Boudreau
FBA-ABA Members:
Are you interested in joining Food and Beverage Canada? Reach out to learn more.
Minister Boissonnault announces further changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This week, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages announced upcoming changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), effective September 26, 2024:
- The Government will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage stream for census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Exceptions will be made for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in the food security sector (including food processing), as well as in construction and healthcare.
- Employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the Low-Wage stream and is a further reduction from the March 2024 reduction. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as healthcare and construction.
- The maximum employment duration for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream will be reduced from two years to one year. Unfortunately, jobs in food security sectors will not be exempt from this change.
FBC-ABC and its members have actively engaged in advocacy since the Minister first announced changes to the Workforce Solutions Road Map in March 2024. Our efforts have included press releases, meetings with officials, collaboration with other associations, and written submissions. Kristina Farrell, FBC-ABC’s CEO, extends her gratitude to members who contributed to these efforts. The association will continue advocating for the food and beverage manufacturing industry to be exempted from any further detrimental changes. We look forward to participating in the Minister’s Workforce Summit in October.
Call for Member Feedback: FBC-ABC Submissions
FBC-ABC invites members to provide comments and suggested edits on two draft submissions prepared with input from the Policy and Advocacy Committee:
- A submission on the Competition Act’s new greenwashing provisions
- A submission on the Employer-Provided Accommodations discussion paper as part of the consultations on the new Agriculture and Fish Processing stream of the TFWP.
Please send your feedback to admin@fbc-abc.com by Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
Reminder: Sponsorship opportunities available for FBC-ABC’s September 24 Parliamentarian and Stakeholder Reception Sponsorship opportunities are still available for FBC-ABC’s Annual Parliamentarian and Stakeholder Reception, scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, September 24, on Parliament Hill. Please reach out to admin@fbc-abc.com if you are interested in supporting this event.
FBC-ABC extends its thanks to Maple Leaf Foods , the Wine Growers of Canada and Beer Canada for their generous support.
Section 71 PFAS Information Session
Health Canada is holding an information session (English) on the July 27 publication of the Notice with respect to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on September 11 at 1:30pm EST. You can join the meeting here (no registration required).
Federal Plastics Registry Draft Guidance Document: Presentation and request for feedback
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) held a presentation this week on the draft guide for reporting to the Federal Plastics Registry. The presentation (available in English and French) and the draft guidance document can be accessed here.
A reminder that ECCC is seeking input from stakeholders on the draft and its usefulness, with comments due September 13. FBC-ABC members are invited to share their comments with Kristina Farrell.
Ministers Anand and LeBlanc announce next steps in increasing productivity and reducing regulatory barriers to strengthen the economy
This week, the Honourable Anita And, President of the Treasury Board announced she will immediately set up a working group to examine productivity and inform the government’s economic plan. The working group will address barriers to achieving greater efficiencies for businesses. FBC-ABC is seeking out further details on this initiative.
Canada ends temporary public policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within the country
On August 28, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit within Canada, effective immediately. While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada. IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024.
The Nova Scotia Association of Community Business Development Corporations, with the support of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency NS are hosting an in-person trade mission this November 13th to November 20th, 2024.
The project has the capacity to accommodate up to ten trade-ready companies, from the four Atlantic Provinces, to participate in this multi-sector trade mission to Costa Rica and Panama.
Registration fee: $750
