Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Website
Home Blog Page 72

Amazon Canada donates more than $180,000 to Halton Region Organizations

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

Amazon employees from across Halton Region gathered with local dignitaries, including Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Parm Gill, Member of Parliament Adam Van Koeverden and Mayor of Milton Gordon Krantz, to celebrate the local community through donations of $126,000 to Milton District Hospital Foundation and more than $60,000 to Halton Women’s Place.

“At Amazon, we are passionate about providing our team with opportunities to give back in the communities where we operate,” said Talia Mohammad, Site Leader of Amazon YYZ2. “Our goal is to not only have a positive, lasting effect on the families in these communities, but to also inspire our employees to get directly involved in local charitable initiatives that they are passionate about.”

Amazon’s donation to Milton District Hospital Foundation will directly support the purchase of vital ICU equipment, helping hospital staff better provide quality urgent care to members of the local community.

“Amazon’s donation will help us deliver comprehensive and continuous care for our patients facing life-threatening conditions,” says Cindy McDonell, SVP Clinical Operations, Halton Healthcare. “We are grateful that Amazon chose to partner with us in providing the best possible care to these patients and keeping pace with the growing healthcare needs of our community.”

At Halton Women’s Place, Amazon’s donation will help support the organization’s Public Education Fund and the development of a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Room for local women and children who face abuse.

“We admire Amazon’s commitment to providing spaces that promote diversity, equity and inclusion for employees in their facilities across the country and are grateful they have helped us to do the same,” says Laurie Hepburn, Executive Director, Halton Women’s Place. “Now, women and children in our community seeking a secure space at Halton Women’s Place will also have a safe area for a variety of inclusive practices.”

In 2020, Amazon donated more than $10 million to charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada, including charities that address the company’s focus on “Right Now Needs” like food, shelter, and basic goods for children and their families.

“Amazon’s donations to Halton Women’s Place and Milton District Hospital Foundation highlight the company’s commitment to our local community,” says Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz. “The Halton Region is home to multiple Amazon facilities, and has felt the positive impact of the company’s local presence through employment opportunities and positive charitable initiatives like this one.”

“Amazon’s donations to Milton District Hospital and Halton Women’s Place will have an incredible impact on community members of all backgrounds,” says Parm Gill, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “We are grateful the company has chosen to invest in Halton Region and will continue to work alongside Amazon to identify areas of need.”

“As Halton Region continues to recover from the pandemic, we are grateful to see organizations like Amazon investing in our local community,” said Adam van Koeverden, Member of Parliament, Milton, Ontario. “The company’s donation will help Milton District Hospital and Halton Women’s Place deliver vital services to members of our community from all walks of life. Thank you to all the Amazon operations employees who made this happen!”

Grain Growers of Canada to lead ‘Road to 2050’ net-zero emissions initiative

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

“As part of Canadian grain farmers’ ongoing leadership as environmental stewards, we continue to look forward to ensuring our competitiveness,” said GGC chair Andre Harpe. “The farmer-driven path to net-zero must reflect what farmers have done and can sustainably do in the future, which is why GGC has decided to lead this important initiative.”
“The ‘Road to 2050’ will propose a path forward that focuses on innovation, research and beneficial management practices. This will boost productivity while continuing to enhance soil quality, improving the carbon sequestration potential of cropland and reducing emissions. This decision represents a practical and proactive approach to tackling climate change,” added Harpe.

In addition to identifying opportunities for the sector to continue its contributions to GHG emission reductions, the Road to 2050 is intended to guide government policies and programming directed at Canada’s grains sector, ensuring farmers are supported in their efforts. All recommendations will reflect farmers’ priorities, providing direction for legislators and policymakers who are making investments in research and incentivizing the adoption of beneficial management practices.

GGC is committed to being a leader in this area and finding solutions that align Canada’s climate goals with the unique needs and opportunities of the sector. Canadian farmers are poised to capitalize on this opportunity, as they have a demonstrated history of innovation.

Farmers have been proactive in steadily decreasing their carbon footprint through the adoption of numerous practices that improve soil carbon sequestration, without the need for regulation. Since 1981, there has been a 10 per cent reduction in net agricultural GHG emissions in Canada – primarily driven by beneficial management practices in the regions where crop production is most intensive. This reduction in emissions has been accompanied by a period of historic growth in crop yields and agri-food exports, meaning farmers have been producing more food with fewer emissions.

“We recognize that governments around the world are taking important steps to fight climate change and the reality is that Canadian farms can continue to play a major part in Canada’s efforts,” Harpe added.

Public and private sector collaboration will be a key component of ensuring resiliency in food production systems while moving to reduce emissions. Immediate next steps will involve seeking potential partners as GGC develops solutions for farmers and government, supported and guided by the establishment of a scientific advisory committee.

“Through innovation, we must continue to find ways to produce even more food to support a growing world population while maintaining our track record of constant improvement when it comes to sustainability,” Harpe explained.

“Canada’s grain sector is up for the challenge.”

The Grain Growers of Canada are proud to partner with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission in the development of this initiative.

Grain Growers of Canada provides a strong national voice for over 65,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 14 provincial, regional and national grower groups. Our mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that maximizes global competitiveness and to influence federal policy on behalf of independent Canadian grain farmers and their associations.

Whitby Chamber of Commerce presents the 2022 Mental Health Luncheon

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

Survival: A Candid Discussion with Kimberley Black and Rob Tardik

To help others learn strategies to build resilience, strengthen mental health and stay positive during some of life’s most difficult and challenging times, Kimberley Black and Rob Tardik have made it their mission to bring their #bpositive message to the world – and they’re starting right here at home.

The Whitby Chamber of Commerce is honoured to welcome the Whitby couple to share their story of transforming tragedy into triumph at this year’s Mental Health Luncheon on Wednesday, April 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility in Ajax.

“After a brutal attack in 2020 left Kimberley fighting for her life, of course, my number one priority was to support my partner, but with that came secondary trauma and a mix of emotions that I couldn’t ever imagine existed,” says Rob Tardik. “Throughout this experience, something we’ve both learned is that the immense outpouring of support from so many different people in various ways has given us the strength to not only get through the darkest of times but to come back stronger than before and with a renewed sense of purpose.”

During this extremely candid and emotional discussion between Kimberley and Rob, they will share their insights on strategies that are transferable to others navigating life’s challenges and ways we can support those around us too.

Rob will also be opening up about the mental health struggles he faced, coping mechanisms he learned and perspectives he gained as a result of this traumatic experience – particularly as it relates to how caregivers cope, and in this instance, a male caregiver.

Event tickets can be purchased on the Whitby Chamber of Commerce website for $60 (members) and $75 (non-members). A discount is also available for Durham College School of Business, IT & Management students.

Nivati Secures $4M Seed Round to Scale its Mental Health Platform

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

Nivati, a holistic mental health platform for employees, announced an oversubscribed seed round of $4 million led by FireBrand Ventures, with participation from Peak and Access Venture Partners.

In addition to Nivati’s highly-rated clinical therapy offering, Nivati is set to launch a curated content marketplace that will provide tools and support in new areas empirically linked to mental wellness. This expansion follows an overwhelmingly successful response to the newly added sleep and financial wellbeing resources.

Nivati’s core focus is increasing accessibility to quality employee mental health support services. According to the American Psychological Association, people in 2022 will feel less able to manage their stress, with over 41% of respondents reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression. With average wait times for talk therapy through insurance and EAPs currently at 5-8 weeks, Nivati is tackling this problem head-on.

“What we’ve learned is that mental health is not a one-size-fits-all solution–people have a variety of life factors that negatively affect their mental health, which require a variety of solutions,” said Amelia Wilcox, Founder and CEO at Nivati. “To really tackle this problem, it demands more resources than just access to therapy, and we are excited to be the first to start bringing these solutions together.”

Nivati’s blend of one-on-one sessions and self-service tools creates a more holistic and personalized approach to mental health for employees. Each Nivati member can discover customized solutions for their specific needs, build a custom plan, and tackle personal challenges to improve mental fitness with tools from financial wellbeing to nutrition to clinical therapy.

“Firebrand was drawn to Nivati by the uniquely well-rounded approach they are taking to mental health and we believe this is more important now than ever,” said Chris Marks of Firebrand Ventures. “They’re driven to help people improve their mental wellness and this new round of funding will help Nivati continue to provide employees and their families with the exact type of mental health support they need when they need it.”

Nivati’s mental health solution includes virtual therapy, meditation, yoga, sleep, finance, fitness, massage, life coaching, financial wellness, and nutrition content – all provided live and on-demand. This funding will allow Nivati to increase its team in engineering, sales, and product and expand its expert content providers. You can find current job openings here: https://nivati.com/about/careers/.

Maypro® Group Announces Director of Marketing Strategy and Public Relations

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

Danielle Reilly Weed will be joining the organization as its Director of Marketing Strategy and Public Relations. Ms. Weed will join Maypro® Group’s center of excellence and oversee the marketing strategy and media engagement for five global subsidiaries beginning with U.S.-based operations before expanding to Japan and China operations.
The role is a new one for Maypro® Group whose businesses include nutraceutical distribution company Maypro® and the supplement brand Quality of Life®.
“As Maypro enters its 45th year, we are excited to increase awareness of our proprietary ingredients, our final products, and the value we bring to the nutraceutical sector globally. We hope to continue to innovate in the way we work and support the growth of our customers. The first step is to build awareness of our products, services, and capability to help our customers succeed. I am counting on Danielle, with the support of our industry partners, to help bring us to the next phase of growth.” – May Yamada-Lifton, Chief Operating Officer, Maypro® Group

Ms. Weed brings over 20 years of marketing experience to Maypro® Group. She has worked with Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods and entertainment companies, as well as state agencies and small businesses. Most recently, Ms. Weed was the Founder and CEO of Media Tonic, a marketing and public relations firm based in the southwest. Ms. Weed is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.

“This is a particularly exciting time to be involved in the wellness industry. Consumer demand for efficacious health tools has resulted in significant category growth. Maypro’s long standing reputation for safe, innovative products along with its commitments to data-driven growth and professional excellence make them a formidable global player. I am thrilled by the opportunity to guide Maypro Group’s marketing strategy and media engagement to the next level.” – Danielle Reilly Weed, Director of Marketing Strategy and Public Relations, Maypro® Group

#Maypro @Maypro #health #healthbusiness #pr #daniellereillyweed  #fitbusiness #nutraceutical
#ihrmagazine

TerrAscend Reports Full Year 2021 Net Sales of $210.4 Million, an Increase of 42% Year-Over-Year

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

The company reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year periods ending December 31, 2021. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars unless indicated otherwise and are prepared under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Net Sales were $49.2 million as compared to $49.1 million in Q3 2021 and $49.6 million in Q4 2020.
  • Gross Profit Margin was 42.3% as compared to 43.8% in Q3 2021 and 55.8% in Q4 2020.
  • Adjusted Gross Profit Margin1 was 49.8% as compared to 46.2% in Q3 2021 and 60.5% in Q4 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 was $11.9 million as compared to $9.0 million in Q3 2021 and $19.3 million in Q4 2020. Adjusted EBITDA under IFRS, excluding lease expense, was $12.8 million as compared to $10.5 million in Q3 2021.
  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 was 24.2% as compared to 18.3% in Q3 2021 and 38.9% in Q4 2020.
  • Cash and cash equivalents totalled $79.6 million as of December 31, 2021.

The full Year 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Net Sales were $210.4 million, an increase of 42% year-over-year.
  • Gross Profit Margin was 53.3% compared to 54.8% in 2020.
  • Adjusted Gross Profit Margin1 was 56.1% compared to 57.2% in 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 of $65.6 million compared to $41.7 million in 2020, an increase of 57% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA under IFRS, excluding lease expense, was $70.1 million as compared to $45.5 million in 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin1 of 31.2% compared to 28.2% in 2020, an expansion of 300 basis points.

Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend, commented, “The strategic decisions we made in Pennsylvania have resulted in the highest quality product we have ever sold in this market. Additionally, the actions undertaken in New Jersey have our team prepared for adult use, where we have one of the largest cultivation footprints in the state, along with three ideal dispensary locations. Furthermore, I am thrilled that we have recently completed our acquisition of Gage, which provides us with a leadership position in yet another multi-billion market and the ability to launch this brand beyond Michigan. I’m proud of the hard work by the team in 2021, which has us well-positioned for the explosive growth we expect in 2022 and beyond.”

Fourth Quarter 2021 Business and Operational Highlights

  • Pennsylvania facility producing the highest quality product to date; recapturing top 3 market share for the month of December 2021.2
  • New Jersey wholesale and retail fully prepared for adult use, pending regulatory approval.
  • Closed on the purchase of a 156,000 square foot facility in Hagerstown, MD for expansion of cultivation and processing, which is expected to be operational during the third quarter of 2022.
  • Completed US GAAP conversion and became a US filer under SEC.

Subsequent Events

  • Closed on the acquisition of Gage Growth Corp.
  • Appointed Ziad Ghanem as President and Chief Operating Officer.
  • Appointed Jared Anderson, SVP Finance & Strategy; Charishma Kothari, SVP Marketing and Charles Oster, SVP Sales.
  • Appointed Kara DioGuardi to the Board of Directors.
  • Became the first major MSO to expand its e-commerce platform via proprietary Apothecarium mobile app, available in the Apple App store, with express pick-up and delivery where permitted.
1. Adjusted EBITDA and the respective margin and Adjusted Gross Profit and the respective margin are non-GAAP measures. Please see discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures at the end of this press release.
2. According to Headset Data for the period December 1, 2021, through December 26, 2021.

Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Net sales for the full year 2021 totalled $210.4 million as compared to $147.8 million for 2020, an increase of 42% primarily driven by the Company’s first complete year in the New Jersey medical market and retail growth in Pennsylvania, reflecting the acquisition of KCR in May of 2021, as well as a full year of operations at the three existing Apothecarium dispensaries. Total revenue also benefitted from the late 2020 expansion of State Flower cultivation in California and entry into Maryland through the acquisition of HMS Health in May of 2021.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $49.2 million as compared to $49.1 million for the third quarter of 2021 and $49.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Gross margin for the full year 2021 was 53.3% as compared to 54.8% for the full year 2020.  Adjusted gross margin, a non-GAAP financial measure, for the full year 2021 was 56.1% compared with 57.2% in 2020 driven by second half under-absorption related to the reset of the Company’s Pennsylvania cultivation facility.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 42.3% as compared to 43.8% in the third quarter of 2021 related to one-time non-cash write-downs of inventory in Canada and a step up in the fair value of inventory related to the acquisition of HMS Health. Adjusted gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2021, excluding these one-time items, was 49.8% as compared to 46.2% for the third quarter of 2021, a 360 basis point improvement quarter-over-quarter.

General & Administrative expenses (G&A) for the full year 2021, excluding stock-based compensation, improved to 31.4% of revenue versus 37.6% of revenue in 2020. G&A excluding stock-based compensation was $66.0 million in 2021, up from $55.5 million in 2020 driven by increased personnel expenses to support the growth of the business and legal expenses primarily related to acquisitions and settlements.  Additionally, lease expense, now part of G&A under US GAAP across all periods, rather than previously being reported as finance expense under IFRS, totalled $4.5 million for 2021 and $3.8 million for 2020, representing approximately 2% of revenue.

G&A, excluding stock-based compensation, for the fourth quarter of 2021 totalled $17.0 million as compared to $16.1 million for the third quarter of 2021 with the increase primarily related to an increase in professional fees for US filer and GAAP conversion work.

Full-year 2021 adjusted EBITDA was $65.6 million, or $70.1 million excluding lease expense under IFRS, versus $41.7 million, or $45.5 million excluding lease expense under IFRS in 2020, representing 57% growth year over year. 2021 adjusted EBITDA margin was 31.2% versus 28.2% in 2020, a 300 basis point improvement year over year. This improvement was driven by the ramp-up of New Jersey operations, the acquisition of HMS in Maryland, and profitability improvements year over year in both California and Canada.

Fourth-quarter 2021 adjusted EBITDA was $11.9 million, representing a 24.2% adjusted EBITDA margin, as compared to $9.0 million and an 18.3% margin in the third quarter of 2021. This sequential improvement in adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by growth in New Jersey and improvement in Pennsylvania. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding lease expense under IFRS, was $12.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 as compared to $10.5 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Operating income for the full year 2021 totalled $23.5 million as compared to $9.6 million in full-year 2020, representing an increase of 145% year over year. The increase was primarily driven by the scale-up of the New Jersey business and the acquisitions of HMS in Maryland and KCR in PA.

Fourth-quarter 2021 operating income was $0.3 million as compared to a loss of $1.8 million for the third quarter of 2021. The improvement quarter over quarter was due to gross margin expansion and lower share-based compensation expense.

Net income for the full year 2021 totalled $6.1 million, mainly related to a non-cash $58 million gain on the fair value of warrant liability compared with a net loss of $142 million in the prior year, which was impacted by a non-cash $110 million loss on the fair value of warrant liability.

Net loss in the fourth quarter was $5.9 million, mainly related to a one-time loss of $3.3 million in lease termination fees, $6.9 million of finance and other expenses, $6.9 million of accrued income taxes, and $2.0 million of transaction costs mostly related to the Gage acquisition. These expenses were partially offset by a $14.4 million non-cash gain on the fair value of warrant liability.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Cash and cash equivalents were $79.6 million as of December 31, 2021, compared to $102.6 million as of September 30, 2021, and $59.2 million as of December 31, 2020, providing ample capacity to fund planned organic and inorganic growth initiatives. During the quarter, the Company made the final payment of $25 million related to the partial buyout of its New Jersey partnership, taking ownership up to 87.5%, from 75%.

Cash used in operations was $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021, mainly driven by an increase in inventory related to the anticipated start of adult-use sales in New Jersey. For the full year, cash used in operations was $32 million related to a $24 million working capital increase, mainly related to preparation for New Jersey adult use, and a contingent consideration payment of $11 million.

Capital expenditures were $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2021 primarily related to capacity expansions at the Pennsylvania and Maryland facilities, and completion of the third New Jersey dispensary located in Lodi. For the full year, 2021 capital expenditures were $38.5 million, of which approximately half was utilized for expansion in Pennsylvania with the remainder related to the buildout of New Jersey and the acquisition of the 156,000 square foot facility in Hagerstown, Maryland.

As of March 15, 2022, there were 318.2 million basic shares outstanding including 251.8 million common shares, 14.0 million preferred shares as converted, and 52.4 million exchangeable shares, including both Canopy and Gage exchangeable shares.

Financial results and analyses are available on the Company’s website (www.terrascend.com) and SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

The Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Definition and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting the financial results in accordance with GAAP, the Company reports certain financial results that differ from what is reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by management do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that certain investors and analysts use these measures to measure a company’s ability to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the cannabis industry, and the Company calculates Adjusted Gross Profit as Gross Profit adjusted for certain material non-cash items and Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for certain material non-cash items and certain other adjustments management believes are not reflective of the ongoing operations and performance. Such information is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes this definition is a useful measure to assess the performance of the Company as it provides more meaningful operating results by excluding the effects of expenses that are not reflective of the Company’s underlying business performance and other one-time or non-recurring expenses.

The table below reconciles Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019.
(in millions of U.S. Dollars)

The table below reconciles Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit for the three months ended December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
(in millions of U.S. Dollars)

The table below reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

(in millions of U.S. Dollars)

Hapbee Expands Global Dealer and Distributor Network to 19 Health and Wellness Outlets

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

The dealers and distributors include various specialized health and wellness practices which include psychotherapy, physical therapy, rheumatology, nutrition and others. A majority of them are currently based in North America and are located across 13 U.S. states and one Canadian province while the remaining dealers and distributors operate in the United Kingdom and Australia.

According to the terms of the agreements, the dealers and distributors will promote and distribute Hapbee’s products to their respective patients and customers. Both parties will collaborate to provide product insights as well as training and support. In addition, special promotional pricing may be offered through this controlled channel using an exclusive affiliate code on Hapbee.com, which can only be provided by businesses that have partnered with Hapbee.

“Our focus is to extend our distribution network globally and we are pleased to partner with value-added dealers and distributors who can enhance the customer onboarding experience as they integrate Hapbee into their practices,” said Yona Shtern, Chairman and CEO of Hapbee. “This will enable us to gain more access to different regions and deliver our products to a wider audience. Furthermore, these partnerships will provide us with extensive brand exposure within our target market given that we are leveraging leading health and wellness experts to promote and deliver Hapbee Neckbands to their customers.”

As previously announced in February 2022, Hapbee sold and shipped a quarterly record of 1751 Neckbands in Q4 2021 (A total of 5200 Hapbee products were sold and shipped in 2021) and the Company intends to continually increase product sales by scaling its dealer and distribution channels.

The global wellness industry is valued at more than US$1.5 trillion, and Hapbee has laid the groundwork for its dealer and distribution network to expand within this space.1 The Company intends to bring on new dealer and distributor partnerships with businesses that operate in the wellness sector in North America as well as in overseas markets. This will enable the Company to gain access to new marketplaces where Hapbee products and bio-streaming blends can have a positive impact on more people’s lives.

The Company intends to provide updates on the total number of new dealer and distribution agreements it signs as they materialize.

Plant-Based Foods of Canada Announces the Launch of the First Annual Plant-Based Food Week

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

Plant-Based Foods of Canada (PBFC) is pleased to announce that the first annual Plant-Based Food Week will run from today until Friday, March 25.

By launching Plant-Based Food Week PBFC hopes to inspire Canadians to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet either by trying new meal options or making swaps in their favourite recipes.

To encourage participation, a giveaway contest will launch on PBFC’s Instagram account (@plantbasedcan) giving one lucky consumer the chance to win a plant-based prize pack, courtesy of PBFC members. To learn more about the contest.

Plant-based diets have direct and positive impacts on issues that matter to consumers. Modern-day consumer preferences reflect that environmental sustainability, human health and social justice are all factors that inspire people to incorporate alternative protein options into their everyday diets.

“Canadians are embracing Plant-Based foods at an increasing rate and the products they are finding taste great. This week will help draw attention to the wonderful products on offer and to help generate a conversation with consumers on how simple, plant-based swaps can have a big impact on our global community. It’s an opportune time for the health of Canadians and the global community to adopt great-tasting, plant-based options, many of which are grown or made right here in Canada,” said Dror Balshine, Founder & President of Sol Cuisine Inc. and Chair, PBFC Advisory Board.

A 2021 study conducted by Leger Research found that consumer demand for plant-based foods is growing in Canada and around the world. Recent data shows that two-thirds (67%) of Canadians consume plant-based foods frequently, and 31% of Canadians plan to eat more plant-based foods within the next year.

“With Plant-Based Food Week, we want consumers to know that incorporating plant-based foods into everyday diets has never been easier. Most product categories in the grocery store now have plant-based versions of conventional products. The taste, variety and versatility of the many options make simple plant-based swaps convenient and easy to include in weekly meal plans,” said Leslie Ewing, Executive Director of Plant-Based Foods of Canada.

Plant-Based Food Week seeks to encourage Canadian consumers to explore plant-based foods by prompting a conversation about their benefits and demystifying this exciting segment of the food industry. To learn more about Plant-Based Food Week and how to enter our giveaway contest, visit: https://www.plantbasedfoodweek.ca/

Loblaw takes action on climate change with net-zero commitment

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

Loblaw Companies Limited (“Loblaw”) announced its plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 as part of a host of environmental commitments. As a multi-generational, family company, with the country’s largest network of corporate and independent grocery and drug stores, Loblaw is uniquely positioned to make an impact on the issues that matter most to Canadians. This perspective has been fundamental to Loblaw’s approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, rooted in the company’s purpose: Helping Canadians live life well.

“Having met major milestones reducing our carbon footprint and waste, we are now squarely focused on the next challenge — net-zero,” said Galen G. Weston, President and Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited. “It will see us deploy electric trucks, efficient heating and cooling, alternative energy, and innovative methods ahead. The need for action is as clear as our ambition, and it reflects the long-term vision our company has held across generations.”

In 2016, Loblaw committed to a 30-per-cent reduction incorporating carbon emissions by 2030. The company met that target in 2020, due to its advancements in energy management, equipment conversions, and addressing refrigerant leaks. Informed by the Science-Based Target Initiative and aligned to the Paris Agreement — limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius — the company will extend this momentum into its franchised networks and distribution centres, and ultimately to its supplier network. This will create a long-term roadmap: Achieving net-zero GHG emissions for Loblaw’s operational footprint (Scope 1 and 2) by 2040 and achieving net-zero for Scope 3, including those generated by suppliers, by 2050.

The company will also take action on climate change through strategic initiatives, including the following:

• Eliminating food waste sent to landfill by 2030.
• Tackling plastic waste by ensuring all plastic packaging for control brands, like President’s Choice, are reusable or recyclable by 2025, and advancing industry initiatives like the Consumer Goods Forum’s global Golden Design Rules.
• Moving to a zero-emission truck fleet by 2030.
• Loblaw has a long-standing track record of corporate social responsibility. It is committed to fighting climate change and the effects of GHG emissions, plastic waste and food waste; and it has detailed commitments to improved leadership representation, and inclusion training program for its workforce of 200,000 Canadians, and nation-leading commitments to childhood hunger and women’s health.

iLevel Management is a proud and approved member of the CAMSC

By
IHR Magazine
-
0

 

iLevel Management Incorporated is proud to announce that it has been approved by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) as a CAMSC Certified Supplier. CAMSC is a not-for-profit organization that certifies and prepares diverse suppliers to successfully engage and connect with corporate and government buyers/advocates for more inclusive supply chains.

This certification is important for iLevel Management Inc. as the CAMSC champions minority groups and pushes for equality across the Canadian business landscape. More importantly, this means a lot to Jimmy Vaid, Founder and President of iLevel, as he is a first-generation Indo-Canadian and an avid advocate for diversity.

“Building a business is a challenge for anyone but especially for those that are under-represented. The barriers we face usually get swept under the rug but recently our voices have grown stronger due to the support from large-scale associations bringing to light the inequalities that exist across various industries” said Jimmy Vaid. “When we came across CAMSC we knew we had to be part of what they are doing, not only to benefit iLevel but also to see how we can help others like us not just succeed but thrive.”

1...717273...392Page 72 of 392

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© 2026 IHR Magazine | Canada's Natural Health Industry Authority | Le guide de l’industrie canadienne de la santé naturelle