VINELAND, Ont. — Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, is hosting an industry open house to share the not-for-profit organization’s innovations in Canadian horticulture.

"Vineland is transforming leading edge research into innovations that will bring prosperity to the Canadian horticulture sector," said Brandle. "Today's open house gives us an opportunity to showcase our results and to prove the value of innovative research in Canadian agriculture."

VANCOUVER — A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. recently announced its second annual ‘Cruisin' for a Cause’ fundraiser, held Aug. 26, nearly doubled last year's total and raised more than $700,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

"A&W would like to thank all its customers, staff, classic car owners, car clubs and other supporters for helping to make the second annual event such a huge success," said Paul Hollands, president and CEO of the QSR chain. "I am very proud of both the A&W and Multiple Sclerosis Society teams' passion and commitment to this important cause and hope our partnership can help to make a difference in the lives of the 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians and their families living with MS."

OTTAWA — The Conference Board of Canada recently reported that the country’s food manufacturing industry outperformed its other manufacturing counterparts during the recession.  

"The Canadian food manufacturing industry is often taken for granted," said Michael Burt, the associate director of industrial economic trends for the Conference Board. "The industry is one of the few components of Canada's manufacturing sector that has recorded consistent growth in recent years. As a result, it is now the largest source of manufacturing employment in Canada, [with] a total of 240,000 [jobs, or] 14 per cent of the jobs in the sector."

TORONTO — A recent study released by the NPD Group reveals Canadians eat more snacks than their southern neighbours.

The “Snacking in Canada” study, based on an annual sample of 1,300 households, analyzes snacking trends throughout the country. It reports that not only are Canadians more likely to satisfy their between-meals munchies than Americans, but they hold a more positive perception of snacking in general.

According to the study, snacks currently comprise approximately 24 per cent of all meals eaten, with Canadians eating about 300 snack meals per person compared to 230 people in the U.S in 2009.