The Future of Food

Regional partners host collaborative event to discuss the future of food.

Local growers, agri-food processors and food businesses are invited to join area partners on Wednesday, September 22, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for a collaborative presentation on the future of food. The presentation is followed by an interactive networking session for participants. This event is designed to provide our local agriculture and food sector with the high-level information they need to plan post-COVID.

In 2018, local partners developed a Regional Work Plan through the Simcoe, Grey and Bruce Counties’ Agriculture and Agri-Food Value Chain Business Retention and Expansion Study. This event aligns with that work plan and is focused on supporting the agriculture/agri-food sector and addressing opportunities and gaps.

On September 22, Jo-Ann McArthur of Nourish Food Marketing will be providing an overview of food trends that have developed over the last 18 months, with insights on where food trends are going post-pandemic. Sandra Kahale of OnWard Consulting will then lead participants in an interactive networking session to discuss the presentation.

EVENT:

• The Future of Food
• Where: Virtual – details to be provided upon registration
• When: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Register: This is a FREE event, but registration is required.

Space is limited

About the speaker:

Jo-Ann McArthur has spent her career building brands with consumers and retailers at Molson, Procter and Gamble, Unilever and Cadillac Fairview. As a divisional President of Molson Coors, and a member of its North America Management Board, Jo-Ann led the charge to sell more beer more profitably.

As a Founding Partner and President of Nourish Food Marketing, Jo-Ann now builds powerful brands for food and beverage products in Canada, the US and Europe, creating marketing strategies that help move products off the shelves, into the consumer’s shopping basket, onto their plates and into their hearts.

She has worked with entrepreneurs to launch award winning products and with municipal, provincial and federal agencies to create programs that support Canada's food industry. She has also been an instructor at Schulich Executive School of Business, FoodStarter (a food incubator), as well as the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

Quotes:

“Grey County is always looking for ways to help our small businesses thrive. Now more than ever, it is important to have a finger on the pulse of upcoming trends and to stay connected to others in their respective sectors. The Future of Food event is an ideal way to make this information exchange happen for our agri-food producers.” – Selwyn “Buck” Hicks, Warden, Grey County

“The County of Simcoe is home to an outstanding array of agricultural businesses offering a wide variety of high-quality, local products. The County is pleased to work together with our partners on agri-food initiatives, including these types of events, which provide local businesses with access to industry experts, new ideas and trends. Through our economic development and tourism offices, we’re committed to supporting all our businesses in their recovery from this pandemic.” – George Cornell, Warden, County of Simcoe

“Bruce County is home to a wide range of small businesses and is known for our spirit of entrepreneurialism. The Future of Food event will support small businesses in the agri-food community by providing a forum for the exchange of current and relevant information to help our communities excel.” – Janice Jackson, Warden, Bruce County “We are pleased to be partnering with multiple organizations to bring the Agri-Food business community together to learn and share. Our highly skilled facilitators will be using a cutting-edge format to provide participants with an enhanced online experience. I, for one, can’t wait to see where the conversations will take us.” – Tim Newton, Manager, Southern Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre

“It takes more than land and a tractor to be successful in agriculture these days. The Future of Food event is where growers and other professionals, community leaders and interested citizens can learn more about emerging trends and opportunities from the last 18 months, with some insights on where food is going post-pandemic.” – Martin Kuzma, CEO, Nottawasaga Futures Community Development Corporation