Next Bite 2025: Canada’s Bold Bet on the Future of Food

Welcome to the the first episode of our Next Bite spotlight series! Recorded live in Brussels at Next Bite 2025, we're joined by experts across the agri-food sector to explore how food system transformation really happens.

What does it take to build a food system that is resilient, investable and genuinely ready for change? Our host Matt Eastland sits down with three leaders shaping Canada’s food innovation landscape: Ron Sauvé from Farm Credit Canada, Kyle Hoyda from Calgary Economic Development and Chris Paterson from Agrisphere.

Ron explains what it means when a public bank like FCC commits $2 billion to innovation, and how that changes the conversation around risk, scaling and urgency. Kyle shares Calgary’s approach to future-focused growth, with agri-food and blue food playing a central role. Chris takes us inside the thinking behind the new Food Innovation Hub, a space designed to connect infrastructure with systems change and real community needs.

Together, we look at why European collaboration matters, what still holds systems back, and why now is the time to push for aligned capital and action. This is the first time Canadian voices have joined the Food Fight podcast, and we're so excited to see what the future will bring for all of us.

Key Takeaways

1. Canada is ready to lead.

With Farm Credit Canada recently launching a $2 billion investment fund, the country is putting serious capital behind agri-food transformation. This is a strong signal that Canada sees innovation in food and agriculture as central to its economic and environmental future. The appetite for backing early-stage ideas and taking calculated risks could accelerate the rollout of new technologies across the sector.

2. Calgary is building something bold.

From innovation to investment in blue food and alternative proteins, Calgary is positioning itself as a key player in the future of food. Organisations like Agrisphere and Calgary Economic Development are building an innovation culture that supports entrepreneurs, draws in global partners, and puts Calgary on the map as a destination for agri-food leadership.

3. Partnerships matter.

System change needs collaboration. Whether it’s government, research, or private enterprise, alignment across sectors is essential. Trust and shared priorities underpin the work being done in Calgary. This collaborative approach is proving to be a strength and a model that other regions can learn from.

4. Shared challenges create global opportunities.

Canada and Europe may differ in climate, geography, and regulation, but their core food system issues are strikingly similar. From climate resilience to regenerative practices, both regions are tackling the same big questions. That creates real opportunities for transatlantic knowledge exchange, joint innovation, and shared solutions.

5. Infrastructure is essential.

Big ideas only go so far without the right support systems. Calgary’s strength lies in its ability to surround innovators with what they need to scale: funding, tailored facilities, expert networks, and market access. Building this kind of infrastructure is critical if regions want to turn prototypes into products and research into real-world results.

6. Leadership should be human.

It's essential to remember the importance of listening, adapting, and staying close to community needs. The guests spoke with candour and practicality. They made clear that successful innovation isn’t just about systems or strategies. It’s also about people who are willing to learn, build trust, and lead with humility.

7. This is just the beginning.

This was the first time Canadian partners joined the Food Fight Podcast and their first time participating in Next Bite. But it won’t be the last. The energy, ideas, and openness shared in this episode show what’s possible when the right people come together.