Front Desk

PUBLISHER Vanessa Peters

vpeters@ensembleiq.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Shellee Fitzgerald

sfitzgerald@ensembleiq.com

MANAGING EDITOR Christine Hogg chogg@ensembleiq.com ONLINE EDITOR Kristin Laird klaird@ensembleiq.com ART DIRECTOR Josephine Woertman

jwoertman@ensembleiq.com DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Michael Kimpton

mkimpton@ensembleiq.com

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CANADA Donna Kerry dkerry@ensembleiq.com VICE PRESIDENT, EVENTS Megan Judkins mjudkins@ensembleiq.com SENIOR DIRECTOR AUDIENCE STRATEGY Lina Trunina ltrunina@ensembleiq.com SENIOR DIRECTOR, DIGITAL CANADA & SPECIAL PROJECTS Valerie White vwhite@ensembleiq.com

SALES NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER Katherine Frederick kfrederick@ensembleiq.com ACCOUNT MANAGER Karishma Rajani krajani@ensembleiq.com

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

Subscriptions: $85.00 per year, 2 year $136.00, Outside Canada $136.00 per year, 2 year $216 Single Copy $12.00, Groups $61.00, Outside Canada Single Copy $16.00. Digital Subscriptions: $60.00 per year, 2 year $95.00 Category Captain: Single Copy $20.00, Outside Canada Single Copy $30.00 Fresh Report: Single Copy $20.00, Outside Canada Single Copy $30.00 Who’s Who: Single Copy $190.00, Outside Canada Single Copy $230.00 Email: contactus@canadiangrocer.com Phone: 1-877-687-7321 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST weekdays Fax: 1-888-520-3608 Online: www.canadiangrocer.com/subscription

REPRINTS, PERMISSIONS AND LICENSING

Please contact Wright’s Media ensembleiq@wrightsmedia.com 1-877-652-5295

CORPORATE OFFICERS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jennifer Litterick CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Volland CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER Ann Jadown EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Derek Estey EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT & COMMUNICATION Joe Territo

MAILPREFERENCES: From time to time other organizations may ask Canadian Grocer if they may send information about a product or service to some Canadian Grocer subscribers, by mail or email. If you do not wish to receive these messages, contact us in any of the ways listed above. Contents Copyright © 2022 by EnsembleIQ, may not be reprinted without permission. Canadian Grocer receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. Canadian Grocer, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, republish, distribute, store and archive such submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. ISSN# 00083704 PM 42940023 Canadian Grocer is Published by Stagnito Partners Canada Inc., 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Ste. 1800, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1K8. Printed in Canada

BETTER DAYS AHEAD?

While the pandemic isn’t yet behind us, positivity is in the air

Spring iS the air and (depending on where you live in Canada) temperatures are rising and maybe spirits, too. COVID19 restrictions are being lifted, and in some parts of the country masks have been ditched, or will be soon. And while the virus is by no means finished with us (we have our eye on you Deltacron!) there’s a sense that we’ve turned a corner and are ready to set COVID-19 aside and return to some form of normal.

Indeed, after two extraordinary years that upended our lives and businesses, optimism is afoot and that was evident in our conversations with the independent grocers featured in this month’s cover story, “Unstoppable Indies.” Yes, there have been (and still are) challenges aplenty, but as Dominic Arsenault, owner of IGA Coaticook in Quebec puts it: “The last two years will make us strong. We’ve developed reflexes and agility that will serve us well in the future.” What’s more, the indie grocers we spoke to all expressed excitement about the opportunities ahead, be it new stores, new partnerships, or the chance to deepen community connections and go all-in with local. As Quality Foods’ Justin Schley says: “It’s never been a better time to be an independent grocer.” (Read all of the interviews starting on page 53).

There’s more optimism to be found in “A Good Prognosis for Produce.” In this feature, writer Rosalind Stefanac brings you the results of our third-annual Produce Operations Survey. Despite the headaches caused by supply chain issues, labour shortages, shrink and price increases, survey respondents are (mostly) positive when it comes to the outlook for this crucial department. Flip to page 41 to see what the survey reveals about the state of sales, department challenges and investment plans.

Also in this issue we talk to Nourish Food Marketing’s Salima Jivraj to get her insight on how to better serve halal shoppers (page 86). We also take a look at the latest in cell-based meat (page 16)—it’s coming, but will consumers bite?

Happy reading! CG

Shellee Fitzgerald

Editor-in-Chief

sfitzgerald@ensembleiq.com

Keep up to date on the latest news by signing up for our e-newsletter. It’s free and we’ll deliver it to your inbox four times a week. Visit canadiangrocer.com to subscribe