AGP Executive Report

Vaccine Supply Chain: Stablepharma signed a letter of intent with AFT Pharmaceuticals to distribute SPVX02, a fridge-free Td vaccine, across Canada and other major markets—aiming to cut cold-chain headaches. Recycling & Containers: Calgary’s Walden Bottle Depot and Fish Creek Bottle Depot both promoted faster, more convenient bottle return services for refundable beverage containers, pushing efficiency and timely refunds. World Cup Food & Drink Culture: Biergarten in Tucson opened early for a Germany match, showing how soccer is driving early-morning restaurant demand and community gatherings. Canada Day Community Food & Beverage: Langley Volunteers is recruiting helpers for July 1 Canada Day, including a dedicated food and beverage zone and family activities. HACCP Training Tech: eHACCP.org launched a free corporate learning management system for branded HACCP training, compliance tracking, and audit-ready records for food businesses. Tourism & Travel Pressure: A World Cup travel surge is expected to boost airport traffic in Panama City, with knock-on effects for travelers heading to Canada-host cities.

World Cup & Food/Drink Demand: Toronto’s first men’s World Cup matches are bringing big street energy, but hotel occupancy is tracking unevenly (around 65% for June), with some rooms released after late ticket changes—so hospitality is watching closely to see if fan spending sticks. Mocktails Trend: A new survey says more Canadians are choosing mocktails over cocktails, pointing to a shift in what people order in public. Alcohol & Pricing Pressure: Fans are being warned to expect higher stadium beer prices across North America, plus tipping norms abroad can add a “wedge” to match-day bills. Local Hospitality Growth: Nanaimo’s Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub is expanding with a 2,500 sq ft waterfront patio, aiming for more seating and possible upgrades like a retractable roof. Food Safety Tech: eHACCP.org launched a free corporate branded learning management system to manage HACCP training, compliance, reporting, and audit-ready records. Vanilla Market Watch: Canada’s Aust & Hachmann says the global vanilla market remains oversupplied with low prices and no quick recovery expected.

Vanilla Market Crunch: Aust & Hachmann (Canada) says the global vanilla market is still dangerously oversupplied, with inflation-adjusted prices at historic lows in Madagascar and Uganda and more large crops expected in 2026—no quick recovery in sight. World Cup, Food & Drink Economics: Toronto hotels are seeing an uneven June despite World Cup crowds, with occupancy tracking below last year as some rooms were released back to the market; meanwhile Calgary bars and restaurants are leaning on the tournament to bounce back after a slow patio start. Travel Retail Shift: Duty-free shoppers are increasingly skipping airport stores for hotel boutiques with local food-and-drink tie-ins and limited-edition goods—pushing hospitality brands deeper into the retail game. Food Affordability Debate: A Dalhousie Agri-Food Analytics Lab commentary argues Canadians should focus less on food prices alone and more on how taxes take a bigger share of household income. Quebec Energy-Drink Rule: Quebec becomes the first province to ban energy-drink sales to under-16s.

Grocery Competition Push: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s $3.2B food security strategy targets grocery affordability with $1B for new/expanded food terminals and hubs, plus $12.9M a year for the Competition Bureau to crack down on anticompetitive behaviour—independent grocers say it could help them compete. Food Insecurity Spotlight: A new analysis points to food price pressure hitting household budgets hard, with Manitoba food bank use up sharply since 2020 and more employed Canadians struggling to afford basic meals. World Cup, Food & Drink Buzz: Stadium beer prices are flagged as wildly inconsistent across host cities, with some venues charging far more than local bars—while Canadian fans keep flocking to watch parties and themed deals. Starbucks Canada Tie-In: Starbucks Canada is bringing back its World Cup “Bearista Cup” with a soccer-ball-style hat and scarf, driving quick sellouts and resale chatter. Local Food Culture Picks: A travel piece highlights Ontario’s Bolton as a quick escape for shops and eats, and a cooking story spotlights scallion oil as a simple “two-for-one” upgrade for noodles.

World Cup watch-and-eat buzz: Canada’s first World Cup match on home soil drew thousands to Toronto’s BMO Field for a 1-1 draw vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, with fans packing stadium food and drink stands (including pricey beer, wine, and cocktails). Stadium food identity: FIFA is rolling out city-flavoured menu items at host venues, including Vancouver’s BC Place with local twists like short rib poutine and maple bacon smokies. Local hospitality tie-ins: Winnipeg’s Holy Shakes opened its first Manitoba shop in St. Vital Centre, selling 10,000+ milkshakes since April and launching “Milkshake Day” deals. Public health heads-up: A CDC hepatitis A travel notice flags Manitoba’s outbreak, with exposure sites including a Winnipeg Burger King and Augustine United Church. Food industry business moves: Prime Drink Group announced a private placement to raise up to $2.2M, while Coffee Holding Co. reported quarterly results amid shifting coffee prices.

World Cup tourism & hospitality: Canada’s ministers flagged FIFA World Cup 2026 as a major tourism boost for small and medium businesses, with millions expected to eat, shop and stay across the country. Quebec health rules: Quebec became the first province to ban energy-drink sales to kids under 16, drawing criticism from the Canadian Beverage Association. Food affordability policy: Mark Carney’s $3.2B national food security strategy aims to cut grocery bills by boosting domestic production and creating more wholesale “food hubs/terminals” to increase choice and competition for independent grocers. Local grocery expansion: Real Canadian Superstore is set for a fall 2026 opening at Buffalo Run in partnership with the Tsuut’ina Nation, with a hiring event planned for August. Match-day food & drink promos: D Spot launched “Big Game Bites” with Scan & Score points and game-day deals running through July 19. Quebec/food industry angle: Ottawa’s food plan is praised for funding controlled-environment agriculture and processing, but criticized for lacking a clear competitiveness vision. Quebec hospitality spotlight: Abigail’s Hotel in Victoria is marketing summer events and visitor demand as the city’s peak season kicks in.

National Food Security: Ottawa unveiled a $3.2B national food security strategy aimed at lowering grocery bills by boosting domestic production, processing and distribution, including a $1B Food-Link Fund to expand the Ontario Food Terminal and create regional “food hubs” so independent grocers and farmers can bypass the “Big Five” retail grip. Food Safety Alert: BC’s Okanagan Humane Society is warning dog owners about parvovirus after a severely ill puppy was diagnosed with the contagious, potentially deadly virus. Energy Drinks Policy: Quebec became the first province to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16. Restaurants Canada: The group welcomed the federal National Food Security Strategy, saying it reflects priorities like stronger food terminals, competition and affordability. World Cup Food & Drink Buzz (Canada): Vancouver’s Granville fan zone and Surrey’s official Soccer Fan Zone drew crowds for match-day food and bar service as World Cup fever hits local hospitality. Resort Development (Kananaskis): Alberta approved Fortress Mountain Resort’s all-season master plan, but only after conditions on water, wildlife, emergency response and Indigenous consultation are met.

World Cup kickoff in Canada: Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival opens today with live match screenings, entertainment and food/drink vendors, running through July 19 (general admission sold out; premium tickets still available). Fan-festival pricing: Vancouver’s FIFA Fan Festival beer will cost $9.50–$10.50 for a 355 ml can, with limited brand choices plus canned cocktails/seltzers and non-alcoholic options. Food & drink tie-ins: Coors Light debuts an 18-inch “Tallerboy” canister for the 2026 World Cup, designed to chill multiple 12-ounce beers. Local business spotlight: Pita Pit has closed its downtown location (opened 2015) and the space is being marketed for lease. Policy watch: Health Canada is changing pesticide safety information rules for agricultural workers, making safety data sheet sharing optional—UFCW Canada and Ecojustice say it leaves workers less protected. Market angle: A new study projects the liquid carbon dioxide market will grow from $6.54B (2025) to $9.23B by 2030, with food and beverage demand a key driver.

World Cup Kickoff (Canada/US/Mexico): The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts today (June 11) and runs to July 19 across 16 host cities, including Canadian stops in Toronto and Vancouver, with fans expected to flood bars, restaurants and fan zones. Fan-festival drinks pricing (Vancouver): At Vancouver’s FIFA Fan Festival, beer in 355 ml cans is listed at $9.50–$10.50, with limited brand options; canned cocktails/seltzers start at $10.50, while non-alcoholic Michelob Ultra Zero is $6. Local watch-party playbook (Langley): Langley City and Langley Township are rolling out multiple free viewing parties for Canada matches, with plans for food trucks and community activities. Brand/market angle (Coca-Cola): Morgan Stanley says Coca-Cola is a top beverage pick ahead of the World Cup, pointing to improving Fairlife sales and tech-driven fan experiences tied to its sponsorship. Food culture spotlight: Coverage also highlights how host cities are leaning into signature eats—like poutine in Canada and tacos in Mexico—to pull visitors into local dining.

Food Safety Recall: Costco Canada recalled Lactantia UltraPūr 2% M.F. dairy beverage (2L) after over-fortification of vitamins A and D above daily limits, with Health Canada warning excess intake can pose toxicity risks; affected product is sold May–June 2026 with expiry June 22 and should not be consumed. World Cup Matchday Culture: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, Canadian fans are being pulled into the food-and-drink hype via promotions and watch-party planning, including major restaurant and bar activations and themed offerings. Beverage Industry Moves: FlavorSum expanded its beverage flavor capabilities by welcoming Beverage Flavors International into its platform, aiming to streamline flavor sourcing for bottlers. Public Health Watch: Experts flagged likely crowd-spread risks during the tournament—especially measles, respiratory viruses, and other infections—driven by dense travel and event settings. Local Hospitality Planning: Vancouver’s restaurant and bar scene is preparing for World Cup demand, with operators expecting promotions and steady pricing for the domestic crowd.

World Cup watch-party food & drink: Vancouver’s Shipyards is launching “Canada Soccer House” with free match screenings plus food and beverage from White Spot and other partner activations, running on key tournament dates. Alcohol access (Alberta): Alberta’s liquor regulator (AGLC) is letting licensed restaurants and bars start serving alcohol at 6 a.m. without special approvals, easing early-morning brunch service. Hydration policy (FIFA): After backlash over a reusable-bottle ban, FIFA is allowing one factory-sealed single-use bottle per spectator at 2026 World Cup stadiums in the U.S. and Canada. Energy drinks (Quebec): Health experts told Quebec lawmakers there are no benefits to energy drinks; a bill would ban sales to youth under 16. Local hospitality pressure (Vancouver costs): Vancouver’s host committee says the city’s World Cup bill is estimated at $320M–$338M, with detailed cost/revenue reporting promised after the tournament. Tourism ripple (Wisconsin): A new report credits higher tourism advertising for a 4.8% rise in visitor spending in 2025, even as international visitors—especially from Canada—fell. Food & venue growth (Canada): The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is expanding with new openings in Canada, alongside Australia and Egypt.

Alberta Liquor Rules: Alberta’s liquor regulator says licensed bars and restaurants can serve alcohol as early as 6 a.m., cutting the old special-permission paperwork for pre-9 a.m. service. World Cup Watch Culture: In Ottawa, pubs, bowling alleys and even movie theatres are lining up FIFA World Cup watch parties, with Ontario also extending alcohol-service hours for select matches. Hospitality Tech: GoTab is buying Fishbowl to boost guest marketing, loyalty and repeat visits by linking hospitality guest data with ordering and commerce tools. Brand/Packaging Buzz: PepsiCo and Subway are launching limited-time Italian Herbs & Cheese potato chips in Canada, inspired by Subway’s bread flavour. Food Fun (and Fast): Ikea Canada is giving away 40,000 vegan meatball-flavoured lollipops in Ontario this weekend via in-store tastings—supplies are tight. Supply Chain/Impact: Equifruit released its inaugural Impact Report marking 20 years of Fairtrade banana sourcing, highlighting Fairtrade Premium paid to farming communities. Retail/Expansion: Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening its first Manitoba location in Steinbach.

World Cup food & drink build-up: Major brands are rolling out matchday menus and deals as Canada hosts games in Toronto and Vancouver, with restaurants and bars gearing up for fan crowds. Vancouver licensing push: More than 100 Vancouver bars and restaurants are extending liquor service hours for FIFA World Cup, with Granville Street pedestrian zones and dozens of patio/area extensions approved. Toronto fan scene: Toronto’s match schedule is driving restaurant and bar promotions plus free fan zones and events around BMO Field. Responsible celebration tie-ins: Casamigos is activating in Canada as part of Diageo’s FIFA World Cup spirits partnership, with responsible-spirits messaging. Supply chain & retail watch: LCBO is dealing with supplier and wholesale disruption tied to its Future State Modernization tech rollout, asking for patience as schedules and inventory systems shift. Trade angle: Ontario says CETA momentum and US tariff tensions are boosting Ireland–Canada trade, including Irish whiskey growth into Canada. Health backdrop: Public health teams plan to monitor wastewater and online chatter during the tournament to spot disease risks early.

World Cup Watch & Food Culture: As FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Vancouver is pitching itself as a top host for fans—BC Place will stage seven matches, with easy transit and a big local food scene expected to benefit from the influx. Public Health Prep: U.S. health teams are planning to screen wastewater and monitor chatter for disease outbreaks during the tournament, with measles concerns specifically highlighted for host cities. Canadian Agri-Food Talent: CABEF named seven Canadian students as 2026 scholarship recipients in agriculture and agri-food, backing the next generation of leaders. Dairy Industry Update: Saputo released its 2026 Saputo Promise Report, outlining progress on ESG priorities tied to long-term growth and responsible sourcing. Sweetener Innovation (Canada-linked): Tate & Lyle expanded its plant cell culture partnership with Canadian BioHarvest Sciences to develop multiple next-gen sugar substitute molecules for food and drink makers. Restaurant/Brand Moves: BarBURRITO launched a refreshed brand platform and summer campaign built around a $9.99 daily value offer ahead of the soccer season.

Cybersecurity & Consumer Safety: Intel 471 says FIFA World Cup 2026 is becoming a major scam target, with about 19,000 “fifa”-themed domains created since January and phishing aimed at ticket and merchandise buyers, while the FBI and Meta warn of spoofed sites and fake hospitality offers. Food & Drink on the Ground: North Vancouver’s Shipyards is turning into a food-and-drink hub for World Cup crowds, with a brewery-and-distillery walking circuit near the fan festival and nearby spots for post-match hangs. Brand Marketing: McDonald’s rolls out its biggest-ever World Cup campaign across 100+ markets, featuring Canada’s Alphonso Davies and collectible cups tied to the FIFA World Cup 26 Meal. Dairy Industry: Saputo signals growth via M&A and premium whey streams, citing resilient mozzarella demand and positioning dairy for consumers managing weight. New Restaurant Opening: Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in Vancouver this week, bringing its spice-tiered hot chicken tenders, sliders, and sides to Granville St. Hospitality & Travel Economics: Sports Illustrated ranks Vancouver top among World Cup host cities, pointing to walkability, mild weather, and downtown access to bars and restaurants.

Chef Awards: Ronald St. Pierre of Locals Restaurant in Comox Valley, B.C., was named Canada’s Chef of the Year by the Canadian Culinary Federation, spotlighting the farm-to-table pioneer’s long push for local ingredients. Community Food Support: Victoria’s mutual aid group Community Food Support has moved to the S.J. Willis Education Centre and now delivers 80+ free food hampers weekly, with organizers urging more donors. World Cup Watch & Food Culture: As FIFA 2026 ramps up, Canadian fans and hospitality businesses are gearing for match-day crowds, with food and drink promotions and watch-party planning tied to the tournament’s big-city footprint. Inflation & Grocery Pressure: Canada’s April CPI rose 2.8% year over year, with gasoline and energy driving costs higher—keeping pressure on food budgets. BBQ Cost Reality: With beef prices up sharply, grilling is getting pricier; experts point to seasonal shopping and sales as the main ways to keep summer barbecues affordable. Safety & Operations: Public safety plans for World Cup crowds are being rolled out across host cities, including reminders around water, drones, and reporting concerns. Legal Case in Dining: Three British men pleaded guilty in connection with the death of Owen Sound restaurateur Sharif Rahman after an alleged unpaid-bill dispute.