Foodservice market trends

May 13, 2020

The latest Trends in Retail examines changes to this market, its use of technology and more, up to the end of 2019.

“The Canadian foodservice industry experienced solid growth in sales in 2018. However, unit volume sales dropped slightly in 2019,” says Jeewani Fernando, provincial consumer market analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

The foodservice industry is made up of different sections. Traditional restaurants include sub-segments such as full-service and quick-service operations, caterers and drinking places. Non-commercial foodservice segments include retail, accommodation and institution.

She adds that quick-service restaurants are facing challenges with decreasing unit traffic and decreasing consumer spending per capita.

“Full-service restaurants, particularly independent and small chains, may be more agile and are a key segment in driving takeout and delivery.”

Technology is a significant factor behind improving customer experience.

“Customers expect to book reservations, access information and make payments when they want and where they want,” she explains. “With emerging technologies poised to disrupt the industry, businesses need to ensure they are not ignoring these trends. The COVID-19 pandemic provides evidence that investing in technology is becoming more important.”

Fernando adds that growth for these operations will come from those who are 40 and under.

“Providing solutions for what this age group needs by evolving to deliver on functional needs - the right food, at the right price, the right way - and emotional needs - feeling good about their choices - will separate those who increase guest counts and profits from those who do not.”

Source : alberta.ca

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.