Food News, December 2017

Workshops

To register for these workshops, call the Ag-Info Centre at: 1-800-387-6030.

Pricing Principles Workshop
January 18, 2018  - Airdrie, AB
January 30, 2018  - Grande Prairie, AB
Are you planning on selling to retail? Attend this workshop if you are looking to price your products for profit, understand the components of pricing for the retail market, understand the retail buyers’ needs. The cost is $25.

Using Shopify to Build Your Own Online Store
January 16, 2018  - Red Deer, AB
In this hands-on one-day workshop, you will create your online store, learn how to manage and sell your products, adjust inventory and be found by search engines. Shopify is a complete e-commerce solution that allows you to set up an online store to sell your products. The cost is $25. Registration deadline: January 9, 2018.

Getting Into Local Foods
January 18, 2018  - Calgary, AB
This workshop is for producers who are new to selling food through farmers’ markets or other direct to consumer methods.  The cost is $25. Registration deadline: January 11, 2018.

Getting Into Farmers’ Markets
February 15, 2018  - Camrose, AB
Farmers’ markets are big business in Alberta with over $900 million in annual sales. Entering this market channel with the right skills can shorten your learning curve and enhance your success. The cost is $25. Registration deadline: February 8, 2018.

Preparing Business for Change – Save the Date!
February 22, 2018 – Airdrie
The goal of this hands-on, one-day workshop is to enable Alberta agriculture and food processors to prepare and plan for addressing industry change issues and mitigate risks in their companies. Registration information coming soon.  For more information, contact Lisa Iwanyk.

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Events

Two Day Educational Mission to the Pacific Northwest
January 29-30, 2018 – Seattle
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry along with the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle and the British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology are developing a two-day educational mission for Alberta and BC food companies to learn more about opportunities in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for Alberta agri-food companies with little to no previous international trade experience to be introduced to exporting and to explore the potential of the Pacific Northwest market firsthand. For more info about the program and potential travel reimbursement, contact Shelly Nguyen.

Gulfood
February 18-22, 2018 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This event is for food and hospitality industries. For information contact  Aarij Bashir or visit Gulfood website.

Food Hotel Asia 2018
April 24-27, 2018 – Singapore
Agriculture and Forestry is in the proposal stages for a mission to FHA 2018. Contact Albert Eringfeld to indicate your early interest and receive full details when available.


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Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulation Amendments
Have your say! The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, which were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I October 21, 2017. The public comment period is open for 60 days ending December 20, 2017. Read more here.

After four engaging public webinars, the CFIA has added new questions and answers to the website which, along with other online resources, you may find helpful when submitting your comments.

New Roll-Out of CFIA Food Export Web Pages
CFIA is revising the food export web pages to better assist Canadian industry with export guidance. The aim is to align all export activities of current food programs under a single food program. This will allow the CFIA to transition the export requirements easily to meet the Safe Food For Canadians Regulations (SFCR) when they come into force.

While the look and feel of the CFIA Food Export section will be different, food certification for export will still be under the same Canadian laws as they were prior to this change in layout. Furthermore, all specific food commodity manuals and materials will still be available to the inspectorate and/or public until further notice. View the new Food Export main web page here.

Changes to Alberta Employment Standards Code

Starting January 1, 2018, changes to Alberta Employment Standards Code and Regulation will come into effect.
The Employment Standards website is the best place to start your information search to find out more about specific changes coming in January 2018.
Information sessions are available through the month of December and will cover topics such as:

• changes to key employment standards rules and entitlements,
• additions to existing laws, including job-protected leaves,
• a new administrative penalty system and other changes to administration and enforcement,
• expansion of critical illness leave to include care for an adult family member,
• details on averaging agreements and flexible averaging agreements.

• HACCP I: Prerequisite Programs – February 5-6, Calgary
• HACCP II: Developing Your HACCP Plan – February 7-8, Calgary
• FSPCA Preventive Controls for Animal Food (PCQI) – February 21 (2.5 days), Calgary
• Implementing SQF Systems - March 5-6, Calgary
• Internal Auditor SQF - March 7, Calgary