TABLE TALK Conference 2.0 West

2024 Semi-Annual Hybrid Conference

Table Talk with FEAD is a semi-annual mini-conference that is curated to create community and collaboration for food founders and leaders. We strive to connect the community by providing resources, connections, and support programming to secure the economic future for food founders in Canada.

When: March 17, 2023
Where: Calgary, AB

Featured Speakers

Lindsay Toth

Guest Speaker

  • Member + Marketing Coordinator, FEAD

  • Introducing Lindsay, a marketer and designer with a passion for all things food. Originating from Saskatchewan, Lindsay holds an honours degree in Visual Communications from Medicine Hat College.

    With a career spanning over a decade, Lindsay worked both as an Art Director and Creative Director. Her extensive agency experience encompassed designing and executing strategic marketing initiatives for clientele in the ICT, hospitality, retail, and food + beverage sectors.

    Noteworthy among her achievements is her collaboration with Great Western Brewing, where she rebranded Original 16 beer. The refreshed primary & secondary packaging and environmental designs are prominently featured across retailers and arenas throughout Western Canada.

    Lindsay transitioned to the team at FEAD following completing a marketing contract at Three Farmers Foods (the largest manufacturer of pulse-based snacks in Canada).

  • Founder and Owner, I Love Microgreens

  • Lindsay Beaulieu, a resilient entrepreneur from Red Deer, Alberta, proudly identifies as Cree/Metis. Co-founding the I Love Microgreens Indoor Urban Farm, she seamlessly integrates her cultural heritage into her journey. Over a decade, Lindsay cultivated expertise in farming and greenhouses while studying business at Red Deer College.

    I Love Microgreens, a year-round urban farm, reflects Lindsay's commitment to providing fresh produce, addressing food security in smaller communities. Beyond traditional farming, she pioneers initiatives utilizing her indoor farming knowledge.

    Operated year-round by Lindsay's family, the farm's cultural roots foster a sense of community. Produce reaches local establishments, and Lindsay envisions further expansion.

    The farm-to-fork concept extends to a commercial kitchen where Lindsay crafts ready-to-eat salads using her microgreens. I Love Microgreens transcends business; it's Lindsay's dedication to sustainability.

    Beyond agriculture, the farm serves as a platform for cultural sharing and mental health advocacy. Lindsay, deeply connected to her roots, promotes well-being through food and storytelling.

    In every seed and dish, Lindsay Beaulieu exemplifies an entrepreneur rooted in community, driven by sustainable farming, cultural preservation, and mental health advocacy. I Love Microgreens stands as a testament to Lindsay's commitment. Kinanâskomitin—gratitude fills her heart.

Lindsay Beaulieu

Panelist

  • Co-Founder & Owner, Chai Wallahs

  • Jodi Dore, co-founder and owner of The Chai Wallahs, embarked on her Chai journey almost two decades ago with her business partner, Heather. Starting at small Farmers Markets, they later secured an Alberta Agriculture grant in 2016, collaborating with the Leduc Food Processing Plant to refine their Chai-making process.

    Tragedy struck in 2017 when Heather succumbed to cancer, leaving Jodi to grapple with the loss. After a year of reflection, Jodi decided to continue the Chai venture, expanding from 2 to 6 products and from 10 to 30 stores and coffee shops, with unwavering support from friends and family.

    Returning to gift markets, Jodi, along with her daughter, found solace in the close-knit and supportive community. Despite the pain of losing her friend, Jodi discovered resilience and a renewed purpose in growing the business they started together.

    For Jodi, Chai is more than a drink; it symbolizes connection, reflecting the daily ritual observed in India. Her journey exemplifies the strength found in overcoming challenges and finding joy amidst adversity.

Panelist

Jodi Dore

  • Executive Director, FEAD

  • Kendra is a Saskatchewan-based, business professional with extensive experience in highly technical organizations. She has focused on developing acumen in business development, partnerships, strategy, communications, project management, and leadership. Kendra has a proven track record of founding and developing successful businesses, strategies, communications, and marketing plans that have led to increased revenue and market share. Kendra is passionate about using her expertise to drive stakeholder approval, growth, and success in government, the agri-food, biotechnology, retail/services, and health sectors. With strong business acumen and exceptional communication skills, she is able to build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, investors, and clients. She is community-driven and sits on multiple boards and committees. Kendra is deeply passionate about entrepreneurship, agriculture, and driving reconciliation efforts. Kendra is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in her field to provide the best possible results.

    Kendra supports businesses in her community and network with coaching, consulting, and creative support through design, strategy, and framework development. Businesses that Kendra has supported include non-profits, private businesses, and publicly traded billion-dollar firms. She has a significant history of entrepreneurship and giving back through community initiatives. Kendras’ press releases have been featured across national and global outlets including; CBC, CTV, Yahoo Finance, Financial Post, Business Wire, MorningStar, Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun, National Post, Vancouver Sun, Toronto Star, Western Producer, Germination, CEO.ca, Seed World Europe, and many other outlets.

Kendra Wack

Moderator

Dalia Kohen

Panelist

  • Founder & Owner, WildFolks

  • I am a proud Canadian chef, with a strong passion for raising the level of true flavour and texture in non-alcoholic cocktails. I love to provide new options for consumer palates and to support the local food and beverage movement whenever possible. I bring a broad range of knowledge in the culinary industry, having founded, and operated The Coup vegetarian restaurant for 15 years.

    Within the restaurant, I had the opportunity to create and cultivate relationships and keep on top of trends. It was at The Coup that I first began playing behind the bar and offering guests options of non-alcoholic beverages beyond iced tea and lemonades. Classy zero-proof cocktails. This has ultimately blossomed into the Wild Folks beverages.

    I am excited to combine my knowledge of business and enthusiasm for offering quality drinks across Canada.

Alannah Gamblin

Guest Speaker

  • Founder & Owner, Lannie Rae Gourmet

  • Alannah Gamblin-Jensen is the proprietor and operator behind Lannie Rae Gourmet Inc., a gourmet breakfast and baking mix brand operating out of Cochrane, Alberta. Her original career goal was in the Sports Medicine world and while she grew up surrounded by exceptional bakers and recipes, owning a bakery and cafe and ultimately a small gourmet brand selling nation wide was not on her radar whatsoever! No stranger to pivoting and looking ahead of the game, she developed the brand and products to fill her shelves for retail and consumer DIY through the 2008 recession, while operating her two location bakery in Banff, Alberta. She sold the bakery in 2010 and has worked in the food industry since; from setting up kitchens and cafes for others to unique catering contracts and of course slowly curating Lannie Rae Gourmet.

    Alannah is a wife, a mother of two young adults, a fierce animal lover, an adventurer an artist and creator and loves to always be learning and evolving. She is no stranger to the ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship, the food industry and the complications of economy, health and family commitments. She is passionate about community, giving back and loves collaborations. Alannah will be talking about her journey through the ages and while she claims she can write the book of what not to do, she is hoping to help others write the book of what to do instead!

Hannah Wheeler

Keynote Speaker

  • Founder & Brand Consultant, Zap Branding

  • Hannah is a Saskatoon-born and raised business owner and brand designer specializing in brand growth. She has a degree from Canada's renowned AUArts for visual communications and branding. From there she gained a decade of experience working with brands locally, nationally and internationally. Hannah has been the Co-Founder of Zap Branding for 7 years where she's led her team in winning awards both nationally and internationally. Hannah believes in Canadian businesses and knows that growth happens easier and faster with a strong brand and a clear plan.

Program Overview

registration

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm:
Registration

Coffee Break

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm:
Coffee Break

12:45 pm - 1:00 pm:
Opening Remarks

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm:
Founder Story - Alannah Gamblin

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm:
Guest Speaker - Lindsay Toth

Topic: Marketing & Design with Great Western & Three Farmers

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm:
Key Note + Workshop - Hannah Wheeler

1:45 pm - 3:00 pm:
FEAD Entrepreneurship Panel

Featuring: Jodi Dore, Lindsay Beaulieu, & Dalia Kohen

Register Today to attend Virtually or In Person!