Reading Time: 4 minutes Wade McAllister didn’t expect to be a direct marketer when he returned to his family’s grain farm in 2010. But with the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board in 2012, McAllister found a whole new market open to him — direct contracts with breweries for his malt barley. “Ever since the wheat board was dropped, […] Read more
This malt’s for you — growers profit from ‘drink local’ movement
Alberta barley growers earn premiums — and satisfaction — by direct contracting with brewers
Raise a glass of banana beer — this popular fruit will endure
U of A’s Stan Blade says the world’s most popular fruit will survive — in some form or another
Reading Time: 2 minutes Don’t worry, be happy — the banana is not going extinct. And an Alberta plant scientist is helping to ensure that. “I think we will always have bananas,” said Stan Blade. But, he added, they might be quite a bit different — such as much smaller and red or purple in colour. “My view of […] Read more
Will agriculture and food processing finally take centre stage?
A new report says these two sectors are key to Canada’s future prosperity — and that recognition is a welcome development
Reading Time: 3 minutes A recent report from the Advisory Council on Economic Growth highlighted agriculture and food processing as keys to economic growth in Canada. The advisory council called on Ottawa to create a growth strategy for what it calls “agfood,” which it defines as everything from “field to fork.” Its report says that could generate another US$30 […] Read more
Root vegetables are hot and pulses continue to find favour
If vegetarian cuisine isn’t your thing, there’s another trend you will like — chocolate for breakfast
Reading Time: 2 minutes Grain bowls for breakfast; vegetables as restaurant entrees; and lots more pasta and pulses are among the predicted food trends for the coming year. “CBC food writer Julie Van Rosendaal believes that grain bowls for breakfast are returning,” said Rosalie Cunningham, a researcher with Alberta Agriculture. “Recent years have seen an increase in one-bowl meals […] Read more
Here are some emerging trends that we need to pay attention to
The development of meat alternatives, stores without checkouts, and Career Farmer Barbie are all important
Reading Time: 3 minutes When one of the largest meat-processing companies in the world announces focused research into the development of alternative proteins, I’m paying attention. Tyson’s allocation of US$150 million to a venture capital fund to research meat alternatives allows us a glimpse into the future of traditional meat and poultry protein sources. The idea is not new […] Read more
Recommended malting varieties list released
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre has released its annual list of recommended malt barley varieties. The list represents varieties that the centre recommends based on the greatest potential for performance, quality, and marketability. The recommendations are published annually with input from grain companies, domestic and international maltsters and brewers, grower associations as well as […] Read more
Small indulgences — the experience of food can be priceless
In the food business, less can be more if you understand your customer and the emotional side of food buying
Reading Time: 3 minutes I remember a story from years ago about a family-owned ice-cream shop in a small town. Folks came from long distances for ice cream because it was so delicious. Yet, the customer had one constant complaint — there was too much ice cream in the cone! The owners of that shop decided to listen to […] Read more
New edition of classic Alberta cookbook on sale
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hardy farm-style recipes are the focus of Meals in the Field, a new cookbook from United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative. Recipes were submitted throughout the summer by UFA members, customers, agents and employees. The 184-page cookbook is also a modern version of UFA’s original cookbook, first published in 1928 by the United Farm Women of […] Read more
Canola oil can help trim inches off the waist
Researchers found a significant decrease of belly fat in a clinical trial of obese subjects who included canola oil in their diets
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canola oil can help reduce belly fat, a new study has found. About 20 per cent of adults in Canada have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions — including belly fat — that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Researchers at the University of Manitoba, Laval University, and Penn State University tested […] Read more
Got milk? Not so much these days
Sales of chocolate milk, yogurt, and cream up, but milk consumption way down
Reading Time: 2 minutes While fluid milk sales are decreasing in Canada, consumption of cream, flavoured milk, cheese and yogurt is on the rise. “According to Statistics Canada, per capita consumption of fluid milk decreased 21.5 per cent from 1996 to 2015,” said provincial consumer market analyst Jeewani Fernando. “However, flavoured milk and cream consumption has increased significantly during […] Read more
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