Munching on Molecules

In this recap episode,  Munching on Molecules  looks back on  Expo 2026  to capture the energy, standout conversations, and biggest trends & themes shaping the future of food. From emerging brand innovations to sharp insights on product development, ingredient trends, and what it really takes to stand out in today’s CPG landscape, this episode highlights the ideas and momentum coming out of th...

We welcome Matthew Skinner, CEO of Wide Open Agriculture (WOA), to explore the business and science behind lupin protein and regenerative food systems. From a finance career to food entrepreneurship, Matthew’s path into the industry was anything but conventional. Driven by a passion for sustainability, he now leads Wide Open Agriculture, championing lupin as a high-protein, low-impact ingredient w...

This week, we’re joined by the one and only, Christine Couvelier, executive chef, culinary trendologist, and founder of Culinary Concierge, for an inspiring look at a life fully immersed in food. Christine’s passion is unmistakable. With over four decades of experience, she’s helped shape global food strategies, launch beloved consumer products, and guide brands in translating culinary trends into...

In this special on-the-ground episode,  Munching on Molecules  heads to  CHFA NOW Vancouver  to capture the energy of the show floor. We ran our  Fast 4 Interviews  series with the brands and booths exhibiting at the event, spotlighting the innovations, origin stories, and go-to-market realities shaping Canada’s natural, organic, and better-for-you space.   Listen in  to hear the Fast 4 Interviews...

What happens when a seasoned brand builder turns his focus to oral care and decides the category deserves a total reset? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Thorp, CEO & Co-Founder of Before, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on rethinking one of the most overlooked daily rituals: brushing your teeth. We caught Steve at CHFA Launchpad Toronto just before he walked on stage to pitch: hig...

This week, we’re joined by Michael Colangelo, founder of Nota Bene Flavors. A deep interest in how chemistry connects with human perception led Michael into the world of flavor chemistry. After years in analytical chemistry and product innovation for startups, he launched Nota Bene Flavors, to bring a more thoughtful, chemistry-informed approach to flavor  creation. In this episode, we unpack: Wha...

This week on  Munching on Molecules, Lara Tiro  and  Christine Farkas  welcome a fellow food podcaster and dual-role powerhouse, Veronica Hislop. As the host of  That’s a Food Job! podcast , Veronica interviews professionals across the food and beverage manufacturing industry spotlighting the unexpected roles and career journeys. Her own career journey is just as compelling. Veronica is a multimed...

We are kicking off  Munching on Molecules, Season 3 with a dose of energy, intention, and JOY.  In Episode 54, Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas reflect on: Why tackling hard things can bring the most joy  The power of setting “signature challenges” to anchor your year A teaser of the podcast’s upcoming content pillars ( stay tuned for more!) Here's to a joy-filled and glowy 2026. Upcoming events...

We wrap up our action-packed PEI mini-series with Bill DeBlois, owner of Buns & Things Bakery. Bill shares how his parents scaled a franchise into a thriving bakery operation, and what it’s taken to keep that momentum going. From near-bankruptcy beginnings to running a high-volume scratch bakery operation, this episode is full of lessons in leadership, resilience, and staying curious. Highligh...

In Part 2 of our PEI road trip series, Christine and Lara tour Canada’s Smartest Kitchen (CSK) and sit down with Chef Krista MacQuarrie, a culinary veteran turned product development expert helping food businesses bring bold ideas to market. With 15+ years in restaurant kitchens and another 15 years at the intersection of food and innovation, Chef Krista shares what it takes to turn great recipes...

We’re kicking off our PEI tour in Charlottetown. In the first stop of our three-part series, Lara and Christine visit BioFoodTech, a hub for food innovation and commercialization in Atlantic Canada. At BioFoodTech, companies receive essential support in product development, food safety, labelling, and scale-up, all under one roof. Our guest is Joy Shinn, (now retired) food scientist, who supported...

What does it really take to protect consumer trust and brand integrity in today’s complex, global marketplace? This week on Munching on Molecules, Lara and Christine visit the lab at Purity-IQ to speak with Deleo de Leonardis, co-founder and CEO, and a seasoned retail executive with over three decades in Canadian food and drug retail. From her time as VP of Private Label at one of Canada’s largest...

This week on Munching on Molecules, we sit down with a guest whose roots in food run deep, both personally and professionally: Christopher Marinangeli, PhD, RD. Christopher grew up immersed in the food world, dating back to his great-grandparents, and his grandfather who famously got his driver’s license in exchange for bananas in Toronto, to his own executive roles in CPG. Food isn’t just a caree...

Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas are back from  CHFA NOW Toronto (Sept 19–21, 2025)  with stories, insights, and plenty of laughs from Canada’s biggest natural and organic trade show. From  co-hosting Launchpad  to firing off rapid-fire questions with emerging founders, the duo dives into what it really takes to stand out: 💡 How do you share your business story? 👥 Who are your customers—really? 🌟...

We chat with Nithya, editor of  Food in Canada  magazine, Canada’s longest-standing national publication serving the food and beverage industry. As  Food in Canada  proudly marks its 85th anniversary, we discuss how the magazine continues to adapt while maintaining its trusted voice in a rapidly evolving sector. Nithya takes us through the magazine's more recent history: its acquisition by Ann...

Episode 46 is your behind-the-scenes pass to all things CHFA NOW Toronto, happening September 19–21, 2025. Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas, run through what’s ahead, including: 💚 Not one but two Thursday mixers on Sept 18: BDC x B Local Ontario x CHFA gathering and the COTA Organic Month Mingler, because the real networking starts before the show even opens. 💚 Their very first time co-hosting CHF...

We’re talking bold export moves with Barron Lau and Paul Yip, the powerhouse duo behind Chowtime Foods, rewriting the playbook for Canadian food brands expanding into China. With bilingual teams across Shanghai, Toronto, Vancouver, and Hong Kong, they’re bringing Canadian innovation to Asia’s most competitive food market with strategy, speed, and real traction. In this episode, we dig into: What i...

What happens when food meets purpose on a global scale? In this episode, we sit down with Mario A. Castillo, founder of Taste & Trade Mexico City, to explore how Canadian food businesses can grow beyond borders into a vibrant, circular, and deeply sustainable food system in Mexico City. More than a trade mission, this is a cultural and culinary awakening. From October 7–10 2025, Canadian CPG l...

We are kicking off  Organic Month (September 1–30, 2025)  with a special conversation featuring  My-Lien Bosch , Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs Manager at the  Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). My-Lien’s career path is a fascinating one, moving from the  fork  (developing finished food and pet food products) to the  farm  (shaping policies that impact organic agriculture and...

With over a decade in the biotech industry and co-inventor on 7 U.S. and Canadian patents,  Mingyang Sun  brings scientific rigor, team leadership, and a passion for sustainable innovation to his work at ApiSave™, a natural product redefining pollinator health. In this episode, we explore how  ApiSave™ , a 100% natural extract, is helping bees thrive through both nutritional support when consumed...

In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge world of plant-based sports nutrition with  Melissa L’Heureux‑Haché,  Co-founder of  VEGAIN Nutrition . Born from the need for better options, VEGAIN is reimagining what plant-based performance products  can be  from flavour to function. We explore: Melissa’s journey as a three-time founder and entrepreneur, and her passion for building high-impact prod...

In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with  Mamadou Togola,  Co-founder of  We Vanilla Enterprises , to explore how a single ingredient, vanilla, can spark systemic change. From the fields of Uganda to the global spice shelf, Mamadou shares his journey of resilience, purpose, and community-driven entrepreneurship. We explore: How We Vanilla is transforming the vanilla supply chain through tr...

This episode, we chat with Richard Lin, CEO of  Dr. Bee , a Canadian brand transforming how we think about honey, health, and hive-powered innovation. Richard is continuing the 30-year family legacy and pushing the category forward with a bold mission: bridge tradition with science to craft premium bee wellness products.  In this episode, we talk about: ·   How scientific evidence guides product f...

We’re joined by Jesse Veenstra, Executive Director of Farm to Cafeteria Canada, to explore how food can be a powerful entry point for education, connection, and community building in schools. Farm to Cafeteria Canada is a pan-Canadian, partnership-based organization with a mission to transform how food is experienced, learned, and celebrated in schools across Canada. Long before her career in publ...

Time for another quarterly catch-up with your co-hosts, Christine Farkas, RSE, CRC and Lara Tiro! In this “snackable” roundup, we share the key moments, community gatherings, and future-forward forums that shaped our spring in food innovation. From Vancouver to Ottawa, we’ve been learning, connecting, and facilitating growth across the food and beverage industry. Here’s a taste of what we’ve been...