By Tony Melis, Show Director, SIAL Canada
Good morning and welcome to the second day of SIAL Canada 2025!
Yesterday started off strong and set the tone for the rest of the event with the show positively buzzing with energy. The opening ceremony alongside industry leaders and government representatives from around the world, including Hon. Greg Morrow, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Pat Finnigan, New Brunswick’s Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Isabelle Allard, Quebec’s Director of Strategic Development for Food Transformation, was a powerful moment that reinforced the important role SIAL Canada plays in bringing the agri-food community together.
This year’s SIAL Innovation Awards revealed some truly forward-thinking products preparing the future of the industry. If you missed the announcements, be sure to check out the recap of the winners on page 5. We also crowned the winners of the International Cheese Competition yesterday, celebrating craftsmanship and creativity from around the world. From the discussions put forward on the conference stages to the friendly atmosphere at yesterday’s happy hour, it was a day filled with connection, discovery, and the unmistakable spirit of innovation that defines SIAL Canada.
And it was just the beginning! Today promises to keep the momentum going strong. One of the key events not to miss is the SIAL Pitch Competition taking place in the Startup Village. A hand-picked selection of start-ups will take the stage, each with just three minutes to convince a panel of expert judges. Divided into two categories—Startup CPG (next-generation consumer packaged goods) and FoodTech Startup (groundbreaking technologies transforming the industry)—this competition will showcase the future of food innovation. Come show your support, get inspired by fresh ideas, and find out who will take home the title!
Our conference program continues with another strong lineup of speakers today. We kick off this morning with Brian Choi at 10:30 AM on the Navigating North American Trade track, offering perspectives on the Canadian food and beverage industry. At 11:00 AM, Michi Furuya Chang will explore how plant-based foods are feeding the future through innovation, collaboration, and consumer connection as part of the Redefining Health track. Don’t miss their insights—and if you want a deeper dive, both shared more in their interviews on pages 8 and 10 of today’s magazine.
Adding some extra excitement to today’s agenda, we are honoured to welcome the Hon. Trevor Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, touring the show. His presence underscores the significance of SIAL Canada in supporting and promoting the agri-food sector at every level.
With so much happening across the show today, I encourage you all to explore, connect, and see as much as you can. Whether it’s innovative products, new partnerships, or fresh ideas you’re after, SIAL Canada offers it all under one roof.
Let’s make the most of this second day!
Photos: © Josée Lecompte)