SHELFSPACE

In this episode, Kyle Wyche from Ecotone Renewables discusses innovative solutions for food waste management, including on-site processing and converting waste into revenue. We explore the technology behind anaerobic digesters, their environmental and economic benefits, and the future of sustainable waste practices in grocery stores, food service, and food manufacturing facilities. Learn more at:...

Judy Wong has spent more than 25 years in food, much of it leading teams at Kraft, Mondelez and Nielsen. Today she’s a co-founder of the Food & Beverage Accelerator at YSpace, York University’s entrepreneurship hub. She sees a lot of founders come through, and she has clear views on what separates the ones who make it. We talk about where the real gaps are in CPG right now, and how food and be...

Watch the video version of this interview here on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SHELFSPACEpodcast Food is more than fuel. It’s how we gather, how we remember, and how we connect. In this bonus episode of SHELFSPACE, Corwin Hiebert sits down with George Stroumboulopoulos at CRAFT Beer Market in Vancouver. George makes the case for more transparency on grocery shelves, and for health...

This is about as blind-date-ish as one can get in CPG, a quick LinkedIn chat turned into a podcast episode in a matter of 48 hours. Matthew Kubick from Local Demo Service (a national sampling and roadshow vendor in the US) shares his insights on how product sampling drives impact for better-for-you brands. He breaks down his playbook for CPG growth and shares why patience is a founders' greatest a...

46 years, one family, and a whole lot of tasty almonds. Mitch Oberfield joins Corwin Hiebert to talk about NatureSource's small-batch premium nut mixes, roasted snacks and Salad Toppers, AND what it takes to run a food manufacturing business across international markets. The conversation gets into pricing strategies, supply management and quality control. They even explore: how front-of-pack warni...

This one's with Aaron Henderson from SweetLeaf — an early investor in Olipop and one of the sharpest CPG minds I know. We talk holograms in the aisles, QR codes that finally do more than slow-load a website, and the future of fiber and Stevia as health-focused ingredients. We also get into how brands like Drizzle Honey are navigating US-Canada tariffs, and what it takes to build a shopping experie...

We're going to stay on the food recovery train for this one because it's a topic that's very near and dear to my heart. As we all know, every year, tons of good food never makes it past the loading dock — not because it's bad, just because the system isn't built to redistribute. This conversation is with Jessica Regan from FoodMesh, a platform that's already helped recover more than eighty million...

We love talking about what's new on the shelf — but what about what's not there at all? This conversation is with Kailey, who went from CPG founder to leading a new chapter at Odd Bunch, a food rescue business cutting waste and getting perfectly good food to more people. Their produce boxes have been one of the hottest things in direct-to-consumer grocery, and now they're taking on the pantry — sa...

This is a live, on location recording in a local grocery store with a chef who is also a CPG co-founder. It's the second installment of The Aisle Moonwalk. This time it's Spencer Watts of Chef's Day Off — a new line of flavour-packed dressings and sauces rooted in kitchen culture. Spencer chats through his take on product development, branding, recipe formulation, consumer demand, and his own pers...

In this episode, Chris Hobson shares with Corwin Hiebert his journey from a passion for perfect pickles to building a nationally recognized brand. We explore the art of product innovation, the power of a cult-classic, nostalgic branding, and scaling a craft food business while maintaining authenticity and community connection. And yes, we even talk about pickle ball. Learn more about these amazing...

In this episode Corwin chats with Alain Ménard—co-founder of Green Beaver, a successful natural personal care brand. Alain opens up about the strategies that set Green Beaver apart, the real challenges of growing in a competitive market, and what's next as they set their sights on international expansion. Sure this one is food-free but it's still packed with lots of great advice for retail-focused...

In this episode, Corwin Hiebert (host) chats with Rachel Mansfield — a content creator with 1.5M followers, CPG investor, and now founder of cadootz!, the clean-label, protein-packed snack brand redefining what kids actually crave. They dig into her D2C launch, her exclusive nationwide deal with Target, and her new quick-meal cookbook, More, Please! — which has just landed in bookstores and on dig...

In this episode I talk with Christine Couvelier, a CPG trendologist and culinary expert who's been behind the scenes at Loblaws, Uniliver, and Maple Leaf foods and is some who thinks about grocery aisles the way a detective thinks about a crime scene? Ug, okay, maybe I took that too far. We're digging into what makes products stand out on shelves, why food leaders need to travel more, and how stor...

What really happens between the farm, the factory, and the fluorescent aisle? Benjamin Lorr — author of The Secret Life of Groceries and a practitioner of deep, immersive journalism — pulls back the curtain on an industry most of us walk through several times a week without ever really seeing. From the hidden costs baked into low prices to the surprising resistance to innovation in a $800B busines...

In this important interview, Sonia Strobel from Skipper Otto shares with Corwin Hiebert her innovative work in the Canadian seafood industry, advocating for local ownership, transparency, and sustainable practices. Discover how her community-supported fishery model is transforming seafood supply chains, promoting trust, and encouraging diverse, ecosystem-based eating. Keywords: seafood sustainabil...

In this engaging conversation, Andrew Watman discusses the future of grocery innovation, emphasizing a return to past food systems for healthier options. He shares insights on how food founders can effectively capture media attention through authentic storytelling rather than traditional press releases. The discussion also covers the importance of building relationships between journalists and fou...

Okay founders, get ready to take some notes, because this episode is a concise masterclass in entrepreneurial grit and omni-channel strategy! This interview is with chatted Brad Woodgate of Joyburst and No Sugar Company—he's the founder who drove a staggering $3 billion in revenue completely on his own terms, without a single dime of VC funding. He shares the brilliant, high-margin stepping-stone...

In this conversation, Corwin Hiebert, Gordon Groundwater, and Chris Funk discuss innovations in grocery shopping, the importance of sourcing in the food supply chain, and the challenges faced in food logistics. They emphasize the significance of building trust in business relationships, effective communication during problems, and evaluating vendor partnerships. The discussion also touches on navi...

We're back in the brewery and this time we're talking to Joshua Counsil from Good Robot Brewing Company in Halifax, Nova Scotia to explore how founder-led content, high-stakes branding and resilient support networks are reshaping the CPG landscape. From the evolution of the non-alcoholic category to the "candy revolution," this conversation dives deep into the strategies that help emerging brands...

In this engaging interview, Brittany Kroetsch shares insights into retail merchandising, the importance of relationships, innovative tech solutions, and strategic planning for brands aiming to succeed on store shelves. Discover practical tips for brand growth, store engagement, and navigating the complexities of retail success. Key takeaways: Retail merchandising and store execution Relationship b...

In this episode of SHELFSPACE, host Corwin Hiebert sits down with collaborator and friend Joe Lyons-Rising to explore the intersection of data, technology, and human behaviour in the grocery industry. With over two decades of experience in market research, category management, and shopper insights, Joe shares why the most successful emerging brands aren't just chasing tech—they are mastering the f...

In this conversation, Corwin Hiebert and Jim discuss the intersection of the restaurant and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries, exploring food innovations, the lessons that restaurant leaders can impart to CPG leaders, and the challenges both sectors face, including rising costs and data management. They delve into the disconnect between chefs and food manufacturers, the importance of creati...

In this engaging conversation, Corwin Hiebert and Karen Proud discuss the newly implemented Grocery Code of Conduct in Canada, which aims to create a fairer marketplace for suppliers and retailers. Karen explains the origins of the code, which was inspired by similar initiatives in the UK, and highlights the importance of addressing market imbalances that have historically favoured larger players...

Corwin and Josh discuss the evolving landscape of the grocery and beverage industry, focusing on innovation, consumer feedback, and the challenges of scaling a local brand. They explore the transition from agency life to running a beverage business, the importance of community engagement, and the future of non-alcoholic beverages. Josh shares insights on leadership, team dynamics, and the signific...

In this first-ever "Aisle Moonwalk" (our on-location series), we’re swapping the Zoom-room for the grocery basket. Listen in while Corwin shops at Fresh Street Market in Vancouver with the legendary Chef Vikram Vij —restaurateur, author, and TV personality. Though technical hurdles and a stubborn HVAC system cut our trip short, Vikram packs a masterclass into our walk through the produce section....