(RoyalFair.org video screengrab via YouTube)

AgriCommunication plan to seek farmer-consumer dialogue

Ag exhibitions among expected beneficiaries

The federal government has put up new funding toward improving consumers’ awareness of the “strengths” of Canada’s ag sector — and to improve farmer awareness of what those consumers want and expect. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Thursday announced an $8 million, three-year funding envelope for the first of two streams of what’s now called […] Read more


Shopping for groceries online is a trend that’s here for the long haul, in John F.T. Scott’s opinion. Online shopping has also revealed the importance of strong brands on beef.

Pandemic upends retail business for the long term

Price sensitivity, brand recognition and positive beef messaging are all areas to watch, says grocery industry consultant

March 2020 brought a seismic shift to the grocery industry, forcing Canadian supermarkets to completely change their everyday operations. Before COVID, grocery stores were generally stocking fewer packaged goods and offering more fresh products, and prepared in-house meals were popular. Online grocery shopping had drawbacks and only made up a tiny percentage of grocery volume. […] Read more

Loblaw is expanding its initial purchase of certified sustainable beef.

Canada Beef Market Intelligence Update: Global survey pinpoints beef consumer priorities

An online survey commissioned by Canada Beef revealed beef consumers share common priorities across nearly all borders when buying fresh beef or selecting a beef brand.  Consumers in the nine countries surveyed most commonly cited product freshness, quality certification or grade, price and product origin as top considerations when purchasing fresh beef. While selecting a […] Read more


(Romaset/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. FTC votes to make ‘right to repair’ a priority

Commission also drops 1995 merger policy

Washington | Reuters — The U.S Federal Trade Commission voted Wednesday to make it a priority to address the issue of manufacturers pushing consumers to use licensed dealers to repair items ranging from smartphones to farm equipment, a practice that critics call anti-competitive. The five commissioners, three Democrats and two Republicans, voted unanimously to approve […] Read more

A flank steak. Nutrition, quality and cost are some of the factors millennials interviewed for this story cited when buying beef.

Winning over millennials

Overall millennials see beef production less favourably than other generations, but sharing positive stories and making personal connections can win longtime fans

This is the final instalment in a three-part series on millennial consumers and the opportunities for Canadian beef producers to better understand this demographic. You can read Part 1 here, and Part 2 here. Junelle Dion is a fan of Canadian beef, and directly supporting a rancher makes purchasing beef even more satisfying. “I love […] Read more


As the pandemic pushed millennials to hone their culinary skills, Canada Beef provided everything from recipes to tips on cooking and storing beef.

A demographic ready for a connection

Millennials respond positively to messages about nutrition and convenience of beef, especially when they hear it from third parties

This is the second instalment in a three-part series on millennial consumers and the opportunities for the Canadian beef producers in better understanding this demographic. Look for Part Three in the March 2021 issue of Canadian Cattlemen. You can read Part One here. When it comes to purchasing and consuming Canadian beef, millennials make a […] Read more

While people may have differing ideas of what sustainability means, it’s a requirement for millennials making food purchases.

What millennials want

Looking beyond the click-bait headlines into how millennials’ perspectives can offer opportunities to the Canadian beef industry

This is the first instalment in a three-part series delving into the priorities and concerns of millennials when purchasing beef. You’ve likely seen the cringe-worthy headlines on consumer trends relating to millennials. From an alleged fixation on avocado toast to supposedly causing the decline of the engagement ring industry, articles blaming millennials for the rise […] Read more


U.S.-based Impossible Foods, whose Impossible Burger is shown here on display at U.S. grocery chain Wegmans, launched the product at Canadian retail in late October 2020, selling exclusively at Sobeys stores until February 2021. (ImpossibleFoods.com)

CFIA to consult on new near-meat, non-meat guidelines

Clarity for labels, promotion, composition to be considered

“Greater clarity” in federal guidelines for the makeup and labels of “simulated” meat and poultry products is the end zone for a new round of consultations underway for the next month. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Tuesday announced the launch for the public consultation, which includes an online survey and runs until Dec. 3. […] Read more

The pandemic has boosted interest in Canada’s food system, and beef industry stakeholders see an opportunity to build relationships with the non-farming public.

Food system transparency vital in post-pandemic world

Industry stakeholders see a window of opportunity to build public trust, but the industry must act before the public’s attention on food production wanes

The importance of transparency isn’t a new concept at Chop Steak­­house, but it’s certainly become amplified this year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian consumers were already asking more questions about food production, something Marcel Blais, president of Chop Steakhouse, anticipates will become more common. “We’ve always had really strong practices on food and safety; we’re […] Read more