Empire Co. Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Mayrand Food Group Inc., a long‑established Québec food retailer operating four large‑format locations across the greater Montréal area.

The transaction is being completed pursuant to a court‑approved process and remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of court-approval and required regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in first quarter of fiscal 2027.

Founded more than 110 years ago, Mayrand is a trusted Québec retail banner known for its broad product

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association held its 2026 Annual General Meeting virtually last week, bringing members together to reflect on a year marked by strong governance, member engagement and meaningful advocacy outcomes for Canada’s fresh produce sector.

During the meeting, CPMA leadership outlined key accomplishments delivered over the past year, despite ongoing cost pressures, regulatory complexity, and global trade volatility. The association remained focused on delivering value beyond its flagship Convention and Trade Show through year-round advocacy, industry development and

William H. Kopke Jr. Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1937 by its namesake. For over 87 years, Kopke has built a legacy importing and exporting the finest fruits from around the world, supplying customers throughout North America and Asia. As an industry leader, the company continues to add value through vertical integration, with strategic investments in agriculture, logistics, and refrigerated distribution.

Rooted in strong family values, Kopke’s foundation is built on integrity, honesty and hard work. While honoring its heritage, the company has evolved with the

The Giant Co., known locally as Giant and Martin's, announced its Feeding School Kids initiative, in partnership with its customers, raised more than $1.2 million to address food insecurity in local school districts throughout the communities it serves.

“Thanks to the continued support of our customers and team members, we have now raised nearly $10 million to help local public schools make a difference in their hunger relief programs,” said Courtney Hopcraft, manager of community relations and strategic partnerships, The Giant Co. “Whether expanding access to healthy meals, aiding weekend

Were you recently forced to wait in a long line at the supermarket checkout to pay for your items? How many cashiers were on duty at the time? Why is it that a store has eight to 10 checkouts and only one or two open for customers during busy hours?

Want to know what is happening these days when businesses operate this way? Consumers are starting to respond by quitting those companies and moving on to those that have better services and more available checkouts.

When visiting businesses, whether they are supermarkets, department stores, licensing bureaus, medical offices or service shops, it has

This is a moment of significant challenge for our industry. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global energy and commodity markets, and the fresh produce supply chain—from farm to fork—is feeling the impact acutely. 

What we’re seeing: 

• Fuel and freight costs have surged dramatically. Diesel prices have risen between 11 percent and 49 percent depending on the market, with the sharpest increases in Southeast Asia. Fuel surcharges are being added to ocean, truck and air shipping rates across all major trade lanes. For our industry, where freshness depends on