Spotlight on Food Trends at CHFA

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows, Trends

Plant-based. Sustainability. Clean ingredients. These enduring food trends were highly visible at the CHFA Connect virtual trade show in September. Here’s… LEARN MORE

Decision: Go Organic or Not?

  By Birgit Blain Branding & Marketing, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Strategy

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 28… Yes, organic sales are growing, but does organic make sense for your brand? There are many… LEARN MORE

Unique challenges of packaging design

  By Birgit Blain Packaging, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 27… When surveying food stores I often see packaging graphic design that misses the mark. Packaging… LEARN MORE

Nine innovative twists from CHFA Connect

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows

The CHFA Connect trade show served up a smorgasbord of intriguing food products. Experimentation with new applications for common ingredients… LEARN MORE

What’s NEXT in Food at CHFA?

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows

The CHFA NEXT virtual trade show showcased an impressive array of innovative products. It’s exciting to see blossoming creativity from… LEARN MORE

Certification Programs: Are they worth it?

  By Birgit Blain Branding & Marketing, Food Safety, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 26… Myriad food certification programs have burst on the CPG scene in recent years. As a… LEARN MORE

RC Show Virtual Finds

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows

March 2020 marked the last in-person RC Show, Canada’s premier foodservice trade show, before COVID-19 became a behemoth. A reimagined… LEARN MORE

How to Make a Splash at Virtual Trade Shows

  By Birgit Blain Branding & Marketing, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series, Trade Shows

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 25… Like it or not, virtual trade shows are the way of the future.  Having spent… LEARN MORE

Food Innovation at GIC Caters to Changing Needs

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows, Trends

Check out three new themes related to food innovation at the Grocery Innovations trade show… LEARN MORE

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CHFA Innovation Highlights

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Product Development, Trade Shows

Diving deep into the CHFA Connect virtual trade show, these innovative foods grabbed my attention.  Unfortunately, there’s no opportunity for food… LEARN MORE

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SIAL Virtual Selections

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Trade Shows, Trends

I love the thrill of the hunt for new products and nibbling through food trade shows. This year SIAL Canada… LEARN MORE

8 Lessons from a Product Failure

  By Birgit Blain Branding & Marketing

QSR chain Harvey’s launched Build-a-Bowl, a new fast food concept, in 2017. R&D took two years, countless wo/man hours and hundreds of… LEARN MORE

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Time to say good-bye? When to exit a business

  By Birgit Blain Management, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 24… Food is a tough business. And it takes big bucks to build a sustainable brand.… LEARN MORE

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Packaging Misconceptions Unwrapped

  By Birgit Blain Packaging, RECIPE TO RETAIL Series

RECIPE TO RETAIL: Part 23… In this age of plastic dependency and growing mountains of packaging waste, brand owners need… LEARN MORE

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RC Show Faves

  By Birgit Blain Innovation, Product Development, Trade Shows

Toronto’s annual RC Show, Canada’s largest foodservice and hospitality event, is a treasure trove of inspiration for CPG businesses.  Edible… LEARN MORE