MONCTON, N.B. — Soaring food prices have started to impact foodservice outlets in New Brunswick.

According to a recent CBC News story, operators are beginning to pass price increases onto consumers, and some have even cut staff and services. In fact, a bakery owner told the CBC the rising costs of cocoa and sugar is particularly concerning. "We're just going to have to see how far it goes,” Karen Silliker, owner of Moncton’s Cake Box, told the news outlet. “Maybe we'll start making more things with less chocolate, but chocolate is what people want," she said.

MONCTON, N.B. — From restaurant owners and chefs to purchasing agents and dietitians, the people who serve up food and hospitality in Atlantic Canada will be gathering at the annual ApEx tradeshow April 3 and 4 at the Moncton Arena in New Brunswick.

In addition to seeing and sampling an array of food, beverage, equipment and technology, attendees will learn how to profit from new trends through seminars and chef demonstrations. There will also be interactive presentations such as "secrets of success" from entrepreneurs: Gilles Ratté of Groupe Culinaire, Moncton, N.B.; chef Luis Clavell of Seasons by Atlantica in Halifax; Chris Tzaneteas of Opa Restaurants and Argyle Bar and Grill, Halifax; and Kevin Murphy of the Murphy Group of Restaurants in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Robert Carter of the Toronto-based NPD Group will moderate.

SAINT-FRANÇOIS-DE-MADAWASKA, N.B. — There are strong words flying in New Brunswick as the Saint-François-de-Madawaska-based Nadeau Poultry says its competitor, Groupe Westco, also based in the town, has been unfairly subverting the supply management system by sending its chickens to Quebec for processing, instead of Nadeau’s local facility.

Yves Landry, Nadeau general manager blames the provincial government for the commercial dispute. "We urged the government to take action and implement any number of possible stabilizing solutions. Without a remedy, it was clear the province's poultry supply management system would no longer function. If the spirit and intent of the legislation were monitored and regulated as it is in other provinces in Canada, the current situation would never have occurred," says Landry.

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Workers at Moosehead Brewery’s Saint John N.B., location were surprised to find themselves locked out of work as of Sunday night, due to what unionized workers and the brewer say is a disagreement over retirement benefits.

According to CBC News, Moosehead has locked out 172 unionized employees after contract negotiations — in which the brewer is seeking to claw-back some retirement benefits — broke off Saturday night. 

The brewer is considering increasing production at its Quebec facility should the lockout become more protracted, but at the moment reps insist there is plenty of inventory to supply customers.