ICYMI: Canadian meat scandal, robot servers sighted in Winnipeg, and more

Here are five food stories you might have missed this week

Considering how frequently food price-related stories have been circulating throughout the Canadian news week as of late, we were somewhat surprised to see a potentially huge story about alleged collusion among Canada’s four largest meat suppliers go relatively under the radar. 

In more uplifting news, a Winnipeg restaurant recently introduced a friendly new robotic employee, an Ontario facility has begun making biodegradable plastic out of food waste, and Eater updated its Calgary-based food map for the first time in roughly five years. 

Catch up on these stories and more in this week’s ICYMI.

Alleged collusion among Canada’s four largest meat packers

A class-action lawsuit was filed this week against Canada’s four largest meat suppliers, Cargill Inc., JBS Canada ULC, Tyson Food Inc, and National Beef Packing Co., that alleges the four companies acted in collusion to raise prices on beef sold in Quebec. 

The plaintiffs claim that the four companies control 85 per cent of the Canadian beef market and 80 per cent of the U.S. market, and are seeking compensation equivalent to revenues generated by the inflated prices. 

Find the full story at The Star.

Winnipeg restaurant employs robot servers

The newest evolution of automatic foodservice has apparently arrived in Winnipeg courtesy of Korean restaurant Hong Du Kkae and its new Keenon Robotics waiter. The robot, which reportedly cost the restaurant roughly $26,000, can carry dishes for at least three or four tables per trip and is capable of speaking to customers. 

Get the full breakdown from Global News.

Eater updates its Calgary-based food map

Acclaimed culinary publication Eater unveiled a new Calgary-based food map this week for the first time since 2017. The map, which was developed by our very own Dan Clapson, contains 38 essential restaurants throughout Calgary along with brief, but detailed descriptions for each location.

Head to the Eater website to check out the interactive map in its entirety. 

First Nations’ impact on the B.C. wine industry

Quench Magazine recently released an interesting article about Nk’Mip Cellars in the South Okanagan, depicting how the region’s First Nations people and practices continue to help shape both the winery itself and B.C. wine culture as we know it today. 

Find the full article at Quench Magazine.

Ontario facility converts food waste into biodegradable plastics

An innovative Ontario-based company was in the news this week thanks to its unique ability to convert food waste destined for the landfill into biodegradable plastics. According to the company, once the converted plastic has reached the end of its useful life it can be composted within one month and fully degraded within one year. 

Visit CBC News for more.