Eataly, an Italian gourmet food market, will soon be setting up shop in downtown Toronto’s Manulife Centre, despite previous roadblocks.

Earlier this year, BuzzBuzzNews reported that Eataly was having issues with the planned opening of a 39,000-square-foot, three-floor location in the Manulife Centre. This was due to an injunction won by The Bloor Street Diner, which also occupies space in the complex.

Now, however, Eataly is set to open up shop in Toronto within the next few years.

Headquartered in Monticello d’Alba, Italy, Eataly operates locations across Europe and Asia and currently has three stores open in the United States.

The Weston family owns 52 per cent of Eataly’s Canadian operation. The Manulife Centre location will be the company’s first in Canada.

(Tramadol)

In response to what it has dubbed the “national opioid crisis,” Health Canada is planning to restrict six chemicals used to make fentanyl.

According to Health Minister Jane Philpott, if passed, Bill S-225 will allow the federal government to quickly bring this change about. Put forward by Senator Vern White, a former Ottawa police chief, the bill proposes to add these chemicals to the Controlled Drugs and Substances act. This will subject the previously unregulated drugs to the same controls as cocaine, heroin or other illegal drugs.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s 100 times more potent than morphine. Usually, its prescribed in a patch form to treat chronic pain. However, it is now commonly cut into other street drugs—including heroin, oxycontin and methamphetamine—to make them more potent. Unfortunately, an amount the size of two grains of salt is enough to kill a healthy adult.

The Health Minister adds that she is planning a summit to address the growing issue—which has seen its worst effects in B.C. and Ontario—later this fall.

Annie’s Homegrown plans to launch 30 original certified organic products this year, with new options in cereal, yogurt, soup and baking. At this time, the company—which was purchased by General Mills 2014—will also be launching a new brand campaign called “Organic for Everybunny.”

The new integrated digital campaign reinforces today’s consumer demand for organic, which has seen double-digit growth since 2015. The campaign launched on Facebook on Aug. 19, where it will run through the fall.

The campaign, which marks Annie’s largest campaign spend to-date, aims to convince modern consumers that eating organic is possible for everyone. According to exclusive research performed by the company, only 23 per cent of people in the U.S. believe they can afford to buy organic food.

“Annie’s has been passionate about organic for decades and believes it’s better for families, farmers and the planet we all share,” said John Foraker, president at Annie’s. “But, we don’t think organic should be reserved for certain social or economic demographics. That’s why we are putting a stake in the ground and making organic more accessible for more people in the U.S.”

Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) has appointed Michael Graydon as its new CEO. Graydon replaces Nancy Croitoru, who announced her retirement as president and CEO back in July.

Most recently, Graydon was president and CEO of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. His previous experience also includes work in advertising, food service and food processing, and grocery retail. Additionally, he was Sobeys’ executive vice-president of marketing and retail brands from 1998 to 2000.

Graydon’s career also includes positions as president and CEO of Mega Group Inc., Canada’s largest retail buying group, and executive vice-president and general manager of JD Sweid Foods.

“Each of these roles provides relevant experience with many facets of the food and consumer products industry and gives [Graydon] a solid platform for growth,” says FCPC. “Michael’s experience across multiple industries combined with his multi-stakeholder management makes him ideally suited for the FCPC role. He has a proven track record of strong and active leadership, proactive and collaborative stakeholder engagement, and he knows how to grow and sustain results.”

The appointment becomes effective on September 12.

Sobeys revamps IGA’s Western Canadian image
For the first time in 15 years, Sobeys Inc. has opened a new store under its IGA banner in Western Canada. The new Emerald Park location, found just east of Regina, marks a new direction for the IGA brand—one that is focused on a sense of community.

The banner currently has 32 locations in Western Canada, which are located primarily in small towns.

“We refer to (IGA) as our community banner,” Keri Scobie, communications manager for Sobeys in Western Canada, told the Regina Leader-Post. “They’re in a few larger centres, but mostly in smaller towns. This one is really kind of a flagship, a look to what the future of the community banner will be for Western Canada. It’s an entirely different-looking store. It won’t feel like you’re at a regular IGA.”

Scobie added that the new store has a much more modern feel than its predecessors, with many new prepared food and shopping options. For instance, the Emerald Park location offers stir-fry dishes, store-made flatbreads, a curry bar, organic and natural products, premium meat and seafood departments, as well as a pet boutique.

The new store’s operators are Wayne and Joan Zook, seasoned veterans of Saskatchewan’s grocery business.

“Franchisees Wayne and Joan Zook have more than 40 years of combined grocery retail experience,” says Jana Sobey, vice-president of community stores for Sobeys Inc. “Before their transition to the IGA banner, they led Sobeys Albert Street in Regina. We’re excited to have this incredible husband-and-wife team lead the way for the community banner with the newest IGA.”

Ardent Mills, U.S flour processor, are planning to double organic wheat acres in the U.S by 2019 and has expanded to Saskatchewan.

Ardent, the joint North American flour venture of agrifood firms Cargill, CHS Inc. and ConAgra, have stated they’ve grown the “Organic Initiative 2019” which means it reaches seven new U.S. states plus Canada’s biggest wheat-growing province.

“Since our initial announcement, we have continued to see growing demand from restaurants and food companies for organic wheat flour for use in fresh, packaged and menu recipes,” Ardent CEO Dan Dye said in a release. “This is a significant opportunity for growers to become a part of an emerging market and to create additional value for their crops on the path to organic certification.”

“We’re very excited to work with farmers as they transition to this growing market and to provide our customers with an assured supply in support of their new product and menu introductions,” Mike Miller, the company’s vice-president for risk management, said Wednesday.

There are barriers to face when transitioning to organic, and they’re hoping to make it easier for farmers to adjust to the growing demand in the future.

Germany’s Metro AG, Europe’s fourth-biggest retailer by sales, will follow through with their spin off Real hypermarket and Cash & Carry business while holding onto 10 per cent interest to strengthen their capital base.

Benstein analyst Bruno Monteyne said the consumer electronics business could still decide in future to sell its stake in the food group, achieving the same result as a capital hike, but without the need for shareholder approval.

The two businesses, cash-and-carry and the struggling Real hypermarket, together bring in nearly 38 billion euros.

Nearly 10,000 Sobeys and Safeway stores in Western Canada came out with lower everyday prices on Friday. After executing their first in-store execution of Nova Scotia-based retailers “Simplified Buy & Sell” initiative.

The initiative was partly inspired by renegotiating with suppliers, where Sobeys officials planned to accomplish improved cost transparency, category management, and better overall price perception to increase sales volume.

After taking over Safeway stores, along with strong competition and a weaker economy Sobeys is able to see their prices drop.