Food & the Federal Budget, Breakfast Breakdown and Exclusive Edible Cannabis Research with Colleen Martin, Caddle

In this podcast episode, we are thrilled to have back on the #pod for her regular monthly gig Colleen Martin, a renowned research expert from our presenting sponsor Caddle, who joins us to discuss their research conducted for our show and audience. Coinciding with the 4.20 Holiday, this episode delves into the latest consumer trends in retail cannabis, particularly edibles, beyond traditional forms like the 'devil's lettuce.' Colleen's exclusive, fresh-baked, proprietary research enriches our understanding of consumer preferences in this evolving market.

The episode then shifts gears to discuss recent economic policies significantly affecting the food industry. We dissect the federal budget, highlighting key aspects such as rebates on the carbon tax benefiting farmers and small businesses and the absence of a "grocery windfall tax" Providing relief for the restaurant sector. We also delve into the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers, noting the moderation in food inflation, a trend Sylvain had previously predicted while underlining the impact of rising costs in other areas, like gas and housing, on overall inflation.

Government employment trends are another focal point, with Sylvain presenting data on increased federal employees during both Trudeau eras. This section provides context to government staffing levels compared to previous administrations, noting a ratio of 110 federal employees per citizen, significantly lower than the 150 per citizen in the U.S.

The episode briefly mentions trending topics in the food sector, such as survival food kits, reflecting on their practicality and recent surge in popularity, and the future of Red Lobster in an era of very high-priced lobster. 

Caddle Survey on Canadian Cannabis Consumer Habits

https://askcaddle.com/thefoodprofessorpodcast/

Breakfast Survey

https://www.dal.ca/sites/agri-food/research/breakfast-survey.html

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.

Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. 

He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada. 

Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.

With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues.

 Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast.  He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.