In Part Two of their exclusive interview, Michael and Sylvain speak with Michael Medline, former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys, who reflects on vendor relations, the Grocery Code of Conduct, leadership through disruption, and preparing the organization for an AI-driven future. The hosts also dissect breaking news on cloned beef, the newest Canadian Food Sentiment Index, Nutrien’s U.S. expansion decision, the price pressures in beef markets, GLP-1 effects on consumer behaviour, and GoodLeaf Farms’ $52M growth announcement.
In this can’t-miss episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois return with Part Two of their exclusive, final official interview with Michael Medline, former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys. Medline offers unusually candid reflections on leadership, culture, vendor relationships, and the evolution of one of Canada’s largest food retailers.
The conversation opens with a deep dive into vendor relations and the Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct. Medline explains his early shock at the combative nature of vendor–retailer dynamics and details his personal commitment to transforming the ecosystem into one built on fairness, respect, and partnership. He reflects on how mentorship from industry leaders like Michael Graydon and collaboration with executives such as Mark Taylor helped advance the Code from concept to reality — ultimately becoming one of the proudest achievements of his tenure.
Medline also shares rare behind-the-scenes reflections on working with the Sobey family, leading through disruption, and preparing the company for the next era of food retail. From AI-driven transformation to the duty of stewarding an organization with 129,000 teammates, he speaks openly about responsibility, succession, and what comes next in his career. His insights offer a masterclass in modern leadership during one of the most transformative decades in grocery retail.
The episode also features a rich and timely news segment. Michael and Sylvain break down Health Canada’s pause on cloned beef and swine approvals, a fast-moving story with major implications for transparency, labeling, science communication, and cross-border food integration. They examine why Canada’s decision diverges from the U.S., where cloned-animal offspring have been permitted for nearly two decades — often without consumer awareness.
The hosts then analyze the newest edition of the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, highlighting renewed concerns about food inflation, declining trust in grocers, shifting loyalty behaviours, and the end of Canada’s “couponing era.” They explore evolving consumer habits, smarter comparison shopping, and the influence of younger digital-first generations.
Other key topics include:
• The Lancet’s callout of ultra-processed foods — and why Sylvain believes the academic narrative is oversimplified.
• The rapid rise of GLP-1 drugs and their early impact on grocery and foodservice behaviour.
• Nutrien’s reported decision to build a major potash terminal in Washington State rather than Canada.
• The tangled story behind beef prices and the federal policies that may be limiting supply.
• A big win for Canadian agriculture as GoodLeaf Farms raises $52 million to expand capacity and boost controlled-environment production.
Go Here for the The Canadian Food Sentiment Index, Volume 2, no. 1