The 2026 Alberta Food & Beverage Awards, celebrated the exceptional products, companies, and people that continue to elevate Alberta’s food and beverage industry.
The Awards Gala brought together processors, retailers, sponsors, judges, and industry partners from across the province for an evening of recognition and celebration. Across 16 categories, finalists and winners showcased the innovation, quality, and entrepreneurial spirit that make Alberta’s food and beverage sector one of the most dynamic in Canada.
Congratulations to all finalists and award recipients. Your dedication to developing outstanding products, building strong brands, and growing Alberta’s food economy is helping raise the profile of Alberta-made products both at home and beyond.
One of the highlights following our AGM, Retail Strategy Forum, and Alberta Food & Beverage Awards was seeing members share their experiences and key takeaways from the event.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Kelly McLeod, Co-founder of Modern Whisk GF, reflected on the conversations that made the biggest impact—from insights on retail growth and merchandising to candid feedback on packaging and brand development.
His post captures something we hear often from attendees: while the speakers and content are valuable, the real magic happens in the conversations between sessions, over breakfast, and around the networking table. Those unscripted moments can spark new ideas, challenge assumptions, and sometimes even change the direction of a business.
As Kelly put it: "We arrived with a product. We left with a clearer vision of where Modern Whisk GF can go next."
Have a takeaway, photo, or insight from an AFPA event? Share it on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook and tag AFPA & Made in Alberta. Your experience may inspire another member to attend, connect, and discover their next big opportunity.
Here at AFPA, we recognize that effective health and safety practices begin with proper training. We offer an extensive list of course offerings. Our website makes it easier than ever to find and register for a course online. Visit www.afpa.com/workplace-safety-courses to get started today!
Upcoming Course Dates (Virtual - Instructor led training):
Incident Investigation - June 26
Hazard Assessment & Control - July 10
OHS Roles & Responsibilities for Managers/Supervisors - July 24
HS Committee or Rep 'Technical Rules' - August 7
OHS Health & Safety System Building - October 1-2
Safety Auditor - November 12-13
Onsite options available as well as consulting to help build your program, if you do not see a date that fits your needs reach out to info@afpa.com
This hands-on course is designed to provide food industry professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, a globally recognized approach to managing food safety hazards.
August 11-12, 2026
October 20-21, 2026 (in-person Edm) - may revert back to virtual
December 8-9, 2026
January 20-21, 2027
March 9-10, 2027
May 11-12, 2027 (in-person Calgary) - may revert back to virtual
July 21-22, 2027
September 14-15, 2027
November 16-17, 2027
HACCP Basics (Virtual)
HACCP Basics is a practical 4-hour course that provides foundational knowledge to prepare you for developing your HACCP system or Preventive Control Plan (PCP). It explains the Codex principles of HACCP and how they translate into a functioning, risk-based food safety system that meets regulatory and customer expectations.
Through instructor-led discussion and practical exercises, participants will learn how hazards are identified and evaluated, how process flow diagrams support hazard analysis, and how preventive controls and Critical Control Points (CCPs) are determined and managed. The session focuses on practical application to help organizations build or strengthen their food safety knowledge base.
A certificate of participation will be issued upon completion.
February 16, 2027
June 8, 2027
September 21, 2027
December 7, 2027
FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food v2 - July 14 - 16, 2026
In-house training is available as well as dates for any GFSI training - Contact AFPA.AFPA members receive preferred rates on consulting with our partners at Food Safety Solutions! If you do not see a course or date that fits please reach out.
Since launching in April, the SCALE Program has generated strong interest from Alberta food and beverage processors, with more than 100 companies already engaging with the program and 86 identified as ready to move forward with growth supports.
Early intake results highlight strong demand for support in areas such as financial readiness, production scale-up, food safety and compliance, technology adoption, retail readiness, distribution, and market access. These insights are helping ensure SCALE delivers practical solutions that address the real challenges processors face as they grow.
This fall, SCALE will launch a new education series designed to connect processors with the tools, resources, expertise, and industry connections needed to strengthen operations and accelerate growth.
Processing Members interested in participating in SCALE and have not already signed up you can begin the intake process below, while Associate Members/Service Providers and industry partners interested in contributing to future education and capacity-building initiatives are encouraged to contact melody@afpa.com.
Show your pride in Alberta’s food and beverage industry with apparel and accessories that celebrate the people, products, and stories shaping our province. Plus, you have the option to add your own company logo and let customers know that your products are locally made.
This July 3rd, Green Onion Cake Man will be celebrating 45 years in Edmonton with a Night Market festival and they would love to invite their fellow AFPA members to be part of it.
They are looking for AFPA Members and Made in Alberta vendors who would like to showcase and sell their products at the event. This is a great opportunity for small businesses in the retail sector to connect with Green Onion Cake Man's loyal customer community, which they have been building in Edmonton for 45 years.
As an added bonus, the business association supporting the event's logistics is offering an exclusive discount for AFPA Members who participate as vendors.
This new program supports Canadian companies ready to demonstrate clean technologies inside commercial food processing and distribution environments.
Projects must focus on reducing emissions and improving efficiency across the food system, from energy use and water consumption to waste reduction and reuse.
SAIT Capstone Partnership Opportunity for Calgary Members
CITT Alberta members in the Calgary area are invited to partner with SAIT’s School of Business by sponsoring student capstone projects. In their final semester, students work in consulting teams over a 10-week period to tackle real business challenges and provide practical recommendations.
This is an excellent opportunity to gain fresh perspectives and support on projects related to supply chain, procurement, logistics, operations, process improvement, and data analysis—while helping develop Alberta’s future business professionals. Industry partners are asked to provide a project, mentor a student team, and meet for approximately one hour per week.
If you are interested in participating or learning more, please reach out to discuss potential project opportunities and connect with the SAIT team.
Western Grocer magazine is pleased to offer a 30% discount to all AFPA members on advertising in the Alberta Food Report in July/August issue. With our deep reach to key retail buyers and decision-makers, we’re positioned to give your products the attention they deserve. To reserve your space please reach out to Melanie Houssin at mhoussin@mercurypublications.ca by June 19, 2026.
VALUE-ADDED PROGRAM │ SUSTAINABLE CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIP IN ALBERTA
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Value-Added Program supports the diversification and growth of Alberta’s value-added food and bio-industrial processors through investment in projects that increase company sales and production capacity, expand market opportunities and create jobs in Alberta.
Value-Added Stream A: (maximum grant $50,000)
Value-Added Stream B: (grant over $50,000 to maximum grant $250,000
Every past edition of AFPA in ACTION is available online, so you can catch up on must-know industry insights, trends, and expert analysis. Don't miss out—explore now!Browse past issues.
Our publisher, Matrix Group Publishing Inc. is now working on the 2026 issue. If you'd like to showcase your expertise and services in the magazine call 866-999-1299 or email
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