Eat&Think Pink Canada: The First Mission of 2023
The 'Eat & Think Pink Canada' project embarked on its first institutional and commercial mission of 2023, taking place from March 21 to March 24.
This mission aimed to promote the excellence of European pork in Canada while building bridges with local stakeholders in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. Here’s a detailed recap of the journey, divided into its key days and activities.
Monday, March 20, 2023 – Arrival in Montreal
The delegation arrived at Montreal’s YUL Trudeau Airport at 3:10 PM. The members included Barbara Adami Lami (Opas Board Member), Gianpaolo Valcavi (Evaluation Committee Member), and Alessandra Marsucco. After settling in at the Hotel Cantlie Suites, the evening concluded with a dinner alongside Ruggero Sarcina, Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – Exploring Montreal and Launching the Campaign
The day began with the arrival of Antonio Rodà (Project Coordinator, Eat & Think Pink Canada) and Francesca Noaro (Export Manager) from Toronto. The morning kicked off with a guided tour of Montreal organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada (CCIC).
Key activities included:
- Institutional Welcome: The delegation met with Danielle Virone (Secretary General), Ruggero Sarcina (Director), and Inga Lavallee (Project Manager) at CCIC’s headquarters.
- Working Lunch: Discussions with pork industry expert Claude Aubé focused on market insights and European pork’s positioning in Canada.
- B2B Meetings: Francesca Noaro engaged in business meetings with PJ IMPEX and Itaca Direct, fostering commercial opportunities.
- Networking: The delegation met Paul Caccia, Director of Communications at ITHQ, a prominent culinary school.
- Media Engagement: An interview with Vittorio Giordano, Editor-in-Chief of Cittadino Canadese, highlighted the project’s objectives.
- Campaign Launch Event: The day ended with the official launch of the Eat & Think Pink Canada campaign at CCIC.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – Institutional Visits in Ottawa & Business in Montreal
The delegation split into two groups:
- Institutional Delegation:
- Traveled to Ottawa for meetings at the European Union Delegation to Canada and the Italian Embassy, where discussions focused on economic collaboration and trade opportunities.
- Returned to Montreal in the evening for a dinner with the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada.
- Commercial Delegation:
- Conducted B2B meetings with Viandes Agro Meats Inc., TGVD Canada, and other stakeholders.
- Visited retail outlets to evaluate pork product placement in Montreal’s market.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 – Institutional and Commercial Efforts Continue
The delegation followed a similar structure, with institutional representatives traveling to Toronto while the commercial delegation continued activities in Montreal. Highlights included:
- Institutional Delegation in Toronto:
- Meetings with George Brown Hospitality & Culinary Arts College, including Director Tony Garcia, to explore educational and culinary partnerships.
- Lunch at The Chefs' House and a visit to a Pusateri’s retail store to assess consumer trends.
- Commercial Delegation in Montreal:
- B2B meetings with key importers, including UNIFOOD, IMPORTATIONS PAPILLES, and METRO.
- The commercial group traveled to Toronto in the evening.
Friday, March 24, 2023 – Final Day in Toronto
The mission’s final day featured activities in Toronto:
- B2B Meetings: Francesca Noaro held discussions with Concord Meats and other key distributors.
- Institutional Visits: The delegation visited the Italian Consulate General and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, deepening institutional ties.
- Market Exploration: Tours of local retail outlets provided insights into consumer preferences and opportunities for European pork.
- Wrap-Up: The team departed Toronto for Montreal, concluding their mission with a return flight to Milan.
Conclusion
The Eat & Think Pink Canada mission was a resounding success, paving the way for strengthened relationships between European pork producers and Canadian stakeholders. By focusing on quality, traceability, and sustainability, the project has set the stage for continued growth in the Canadian market.
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