Ottawa, Ontario – September 24, 2026 – Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) concluded its fall Board of Directors meeting this week in Ottawa, bringing together food and beverage manufacturing leaders from across the country for discussions focused on investment, competitiveness, food security and the policy conditions needed to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity. 

Throughout the meeting, Board members discussed key federal policy priorities, including implementation of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy (NFSS), FBC-ABC’s 2026 federal budget recommendations and advocacy strategy, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and Canada-U.S. relations. 

FBC-ABC was pleased to welcome Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, for a discussion on the National Food Security Strategy, its implementation and the role of domestic food and beverage manufacturing in strengthening Canada’s food system. 

The Board also welcomed Justine Hendricks, President and CEO of Farm Credit Canada, following the federal government’s announcement of FCC’s new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund. The Fund, a commitment under the NFSS, is intended to help finance capital-intensive agri-food infrastructure and value-added processing projects and increase domestic processing capacity. 

Tyler McCann, Managing Director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI), presented new research prepared for FBC-ABC on the economic case for expanding food and beverage manufacturing in Canada. The research examines the industry’s economic contribution, investment and productivity trends, its position relative to other major manufacturing industries, and the conditions required to support stronger growth and competitiveness. FBC-ABC will release the research publicly in the coming weeks. 

The Board also welcomed Benoit Bessette, Vice-President, Business Strategy and Corporate Development at Lovo, as the newest member of FBC-ABC’s Board of Directors. His appointment further strengthens the representation of food and beverage manufacturers from across Canada on the association’s national Board. 

“FBC-ABC’s strength comes from bringing manufacturers from across the country together around the conditions our industry needs to succeed,” said Gabrielle Fallu, Co-Chair of Food and Beverage Canada and Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Government Relations at Nortera. “There is a real opportunity right now to strengthen Canada’s domestic processing capacity. The measures being introduced are positive steps, and we look forward to continuing to work with government to build an environment where food and beverage manufacturers can invest, innovate and grow.” 

Industry and Government Come Together on Parliament Hill 

Following the Board meeting, FBC-ABC hosted its annual Parliamentarian and Stakeholder Reception on Parliament Hill, welcoming more than 100 food and beverage manufacturers, parliamentarians, government officials, provincial and regional association representatives and industry stakeholders.  

The annual reception provides an opportunity to celebrate the people, products and economic contribution of Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry while strengthening connections between manufacturers and federal policymakers. 

FBC-ABC thanks Cargill, Gold Sponsor; Farm Credit Canada and Loblaw Companies Limited, Silver Sponsors; and product sponsors Beer Canada, Wine Growers Canada, Fisheries Council of Canada and the Baking Association of Canada for their support for this year’s reception. 

FBC-ABC looks forward to continuing to work with its Board, members, provincial and regional partners, government and industry stakeholders to advance policies that strengthen investment, productivity and competitiveness and support a domestic food and beverage manufacturing industry. 

Media contact: 
Kristina Farrell 
CEO, Food and Beverage Canada 
613-322-9235 

About Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC): Food and Beverage Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s domestic food and beverage manufacturers. FBC-ABC works with members, provincial and regional associations, and government to advance policies that support a competitive industry that provides safe, high-quality food for Canadians and global markets.