Invest Brampton Logo with Maple Leaf
Brampton Innovation District Logo
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin
Panel discussion on stage with five speakers, Brampton business banners, and flags, addressing an audience.
Home Events, Food & BeverageBrampton’s 4th Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit: Competing, Diversifying and Building for Growth

Brampton’s 4th Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit: Competing, Diversifying and Building for Growth

September 23, 2026| Events, Food & Beverage|

More than 200 food and beverage industry stakeholders, business leaders, investors and government partners came together in Brampton this week for the City of Brampton’s 4th Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit. 

Green banner reading 'Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit' at a conference, with panelists blurred in the background.
The City of Bramptons 4th Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit

Hosted by the City’s Economic Development Office (Invest Brampton), the Summit explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry, from global trade and talent to technology, investment and competitiveness. 

From expanding into European markets and building the workforce of tomorrow to navigating tariffs, discussions focused on what businesses need to compete, diversify and grow in a changing global economy, with perspectives from industry leaders representing HelloFresh Canada, Coke Canada Bottling, A. Berger Precision Ltd., SEW-EURODRIVE Canada, MNP, TD Bank and Green and Spiegel Canada, alongside government and international leaders. 

A Canadian food and beverage powerhouse

Recognized by Business Facilities Magazine as the number one city in Canada for food and beverage processing, Brampton’s food and beverage processing sector includes approximately 300 companies, employs 8,500 people and contributes more than $1.3 billion annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  

Brampton’s advantage extends across the food and beverage value chain, bringing together food processing, packaging, cold storage, research and development and logistics. 

From Brampton to the world: expanding access to global markets

Panel discussion on stage with five speakers, Brampton business banners, and flags, addressing an audience.
Anne Wagner Mitchell Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Toronto Joan Berger Senior Vice President Marketing A Berger Precision Ltd Ian Brooks CEO HelloFresh Canada and Lyall Watson Sales and Operations Manager SEW EURODRIVE Canada

The Canada-Europe Trade Opportunities: The German Success Story panel brought together senior German government representatives and industry leaders from A. Berger Precision Ltd., HelloFresh Canada and SEW-EURODRIVE Canada. The discussion offered firsthand perspectives on international business, manufacturing and investment, with a focus on strengthening Canada-Europe trade relationships and expanding opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. 

The Summit also brought together Global and Canadian industry leaders including Maple Lodge Farms, Italpasta, Brar’s, Cardinal Meats, Sofina Foods, Embassy ingredients, Lactalis, Feature Foods, Lucid Corp., and Crawford Packaging. 

Continued investment in Brampton

Industry leader Coca-Cola Canada Bottling highlighted its continued investment in Brampton, including a recent $141-million commitment to modernize and expand its flagship manufacturing, distribution and sales centre. 

The project will introduce a technology-enabled production line, increase production capacity by at least 20 million cases annually and support hundreds of construction jobs. It builds on more than $230 million invested in the company’s Brampton operations since 2018. 

The project demonstrates the continued strength of Brampton’s food and beverage manufacturing sector, while supporting the adoption of new technologies, increased production capacity and long-term economic growth. 

Building the workforce of tomorrow

Stephen Green Managing Partner Green and Spiegel Canada discusses immigration strategies and workforce needs for Canadas food and beverage sector

The summit’s Building the Workforce of Tomorrow session explored immigration strategies for Canada’s food and beverage sector and how businesses can navigate Canada’s immigration system to address workforce needs, attract skilled talent and support long-term growth.  

The discussion highlighted the connection between investment and talent. As businesses adopt new technologies, expand production and modernize operations, access to the right skills will remain an important part of their ability to grow. 

For companies investing in Brampton, access to talent is supported by the city’s location in the Greater Toronto Area, connecting businesses to a labour pool of more than 4.3 million workers and 21 post-secondary institutions. 

Global trends shaping what’s next 

Split image: left shows a man in a blazer speaking at a podium; right shows a presenter on stage with flags and banners at a business conference.
Brad Bida Partner and Regional Leader Food and Beverage Processing MNP shares findings from the 2026 Global Agri Food Most Influential Nations Ranking Report

The Summit also looked ahead at the global trends and economic conditions shaping the future of food and beverage processing.

MNP shared key findings from its 2026 Global Agri-Food Most Influential Nations Ranking Report, highlighting global trends and opportunities and what they mean for Canada’s food and beverage industry. 

Female speaker at a podium with a green Brampton sign: Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit.Document visible on sign: 'Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit'
Leslie A Preston Managing Director and Senior Economist TD Bank provides an economic outlook and insights into market trends

TD Economics provided an economic outlook focused on the market forces shaping today’s business environment, including their implications for growth, investment and competitiveness. 

Make your next move in Canada’s leading food and beverage hub

Collage from Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit: a man speaks at a green podium beside a Canadian flag, a woman speaks at another podium with a Canadian flag nearby, and a man browses product brochures at a display shelf with summit banners.
Mayor Patrick Brown and Councillor Rowena Santos Vice Chair of the Economic Development Office at Bramptons 4th Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit

The 4th Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit reinforced Brampton’s focus on building a resilient, competitive and globally connected food and beverage sector, bringing industry and partners together to navigate changing markets, strengthen international connections and unlock new opportunities for growth. 

“Brampton has the scale, connectivity and industry ecosystem food and beverage companies need to grow. Our focus is on building on those strengths and connecting businesses to new markets, investment opportunities and the resources they need to compete globally and build for the future.” 

— Martin Bohl, Sector Manager, Food and Beverage Processing, City of Brampton

For companies looking to invest or expand, Brampton offers the scale and connectivity to grow, with an established food and beverage cluster, skilled talent, integrated supply chains and access to major markets. 

From incentives and investment resources to concierge and expeditor services, Invest Brampton helps companies navigate the investment journey and move projects forward. 

Thank you to the businesses, industry leaders, investors, government and international partners, and stakeholders who joined us for this year’s Summit, and to our Program Sponsors, TD Bank and Loblaw Companies Limited, and Gift Sponsor, Give & Go Prepared Foods Corporation.  

Explore Brampton’s Food and Beverage Processing Sector and discover why leading companies are choosing Brampton to invest and grow.

Green conference sign reading Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit with blurred panelists in the background, at a trade show.
Panel discussion on stage with five speakers, Invest Brampton banners, and audience in foreground.
Group of professionals in business attire posing on a stage for a photo at a conference, with flags and banners in the background (Invest Brampton banners).
Smiling woman in a beige floral blazer posing in front of an Invest Brampton backdrop with a Canadian flag graphic visible behind her on the left.
Large conference banquet hall with round tables, teal program booklets, and a stage with flags and banners in the background.
Two professionals shake hands at a conference, foreground couple in business attire, name badges visible in a crowded room.
Two men in suits shake hands and smile at a conference, with a bright green presentation screen behind them.
Two men in a restaurant or bar laughing and talking, one in a dark blazer with a name badge on his jacket.
Woman in a light blazer speaks into a handheld microphone during a panel discussion, with other panelists seated nearby.
Smiling woman in a black blazer holding a plate of salad at a buffet line in a restaurant. (Name badge visible)
Two men in business suits sit on a stage in cream chairs during a panel, one smiling at the other while the man on the right speaks into a handheld microphone; backdrop shows'Invest Brampton' logos.
Male presenter in a pinstripe suit speaks at a podium with a microphone in a conference setting, large screen in the background
Side view of a middle-aged man in a gray suit clapping at a crowded banquet or conference event, with attendees blurred in the background.
Speaker at a conference podium with Canadian and British flags behind, Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit banner visible on the podium.
Conference attendees seated at a table, man in a suit with a name badge and lanyard in the foreground.
Smiling woman with blonde hair in an olive-green jacket seated at a table at a conference or gala, with other attendees in the background.
Woman with long gray hair and glasses looking to the right at a crowded event, seated at a table with drinks in the foreground.
Male speaker in a blue suit at a podium, Canadian flag behind, Brampton banner onstage.
Conference hall with a speaker at a podium presenting to an audience; large projection screen and Brampton banners on stage, Canadian flag nearby
Speaker at a podium on a stage during a formal conference, with a large blue presentation screen, banners, and flags (Canada and UK) in the background, and attendees seated at tables in a banquet-style hall.
Smiling woman in a dark blazer at a podium, speaking into a microphone with green signage nearby.
Speaker in a dark suit at a podium on a stage, Brampton banner reading'Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit' visible, Canadian flag behind left side.
Audience seated at a conference facing a tall banner reading'Brampton is Built for Business' on stage.
Attendees at a formal dinner or conference, with a woman wearing a name tag seated at a table in the foreground.
Female speaker in a grey dress at a clear podium delivering a presentation, with a large screen and banners in the background.
Man in a checked blazer at a conference, looking to his left among attentive attendees in a dimly lit room.
Two women sit on a stage in panel chairs; one speaks into a microphone while the other listens, with an Invest Brampton backdrop behind them.
Two men in business suits seated on a conference panel, with flags behind them and a small flowers-and-water bottles table in front.
Conference banquet hall with a speaker at the podium on stage, a large projection screen showing a presenter, Brampton banners, and a Canadian flag above the audience.
Man in a dark suit clapping at a roundtable event, with other attendees seated and watching in the background
Smiling woman in a purple blouse and black blazer speaks at a conference podium with green signage in the foreground.
Audience at a conference; man in a light gray blazer claps while others watch.
Man in a dark suit giving a speech at a podium with two microphones in front of a large screen, conference setting
Man in a gray checked suit giving a talk at a conference, speaking into a microphone with a lanyard and badge visible.
Woman in a red blazer speaks at a conference podium with microphones and green backstage lighting behind her
Panel of five professionals seated on a stage during a conference, branded backdrop reading'Invest Brampton' behind them with flags nearby.
Event signage thanking sponsors; the sign reads'THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM SPONSOR' with Loblaw Companies Limited and Invest Brampton logos visible.
Male speaker at a podium during a conference, Canadian flag on his left and a Union Jack flag on his right, with banners readout behind him and audience in foreground.
Three people pose for a photo in front of an Invest Brampton backdrop at an event, smiling at the camera with a photo booth nearby.
Crowded conference hall with round tables and many attendees in business attire, green menus on the tables under chandeliers.
Speaker at a podium giving a presentation at a Brampton conference, with green signage and a backdrop reading Invest Brampton.”
Older man in a gray blazer conversing with a woman wearing a red headband at a networking event backdrop
Man in a blazer browses a wall display of small cards at a conference titled Brampton's Food & Beverage Processing Summit (green banner visible).
Backdrop banner with repeated'INVEST BRAMPTON' branding and a maple leaf logo; event setting with a person partially visible on the right.
Two standing event signs with a bright green'THANK YOU' banner and sponsor logos, set up in a conference hall (people in background).
Teal conference brochure standing upright on a black table at a blurred banquet setting.
Navy tote bag hanging between chairs with white text reading'Food & Beverage Processing Summit'.
Buffet table with a colorful fruit platter (grapes, melon, berries) and a stack of white plates, with a floral centerpiece in the background.
Buffet table with bowls of salads and pastries, labeled chickpea and mixed greens as guests mingle in the background
Four men in business attire chat by a table of pastries in a bright room, with a Pepsi vending machine visible in the background.
Woman in a white blouse operates a tall white kiosk with instructional diagrams, at an Invest Brampton backdrop.
A crowded banquet hall with round tables, attendees eating and mingling, a stage with banners and flags in the background under chandeliers.
Professional networking moment: man in gray suit with name badge holds an orange drink while chatting with two women at a social event.
Two professionals converse at a conference, a man in a suit facing a woman with a colorful scarf and name badge. Behind them are flags and a presentation area.
Two women pose beside a Brampton business banner on a stage, with a Canadian flag nearby.
Group of four professionals at a conference posing for a photo, wearing business attire and badge lanyards.
Professionals at a networking event converse; man in a blue blazer smiles as a woman offers a business card and coffee cup nearby.
Group of five professionals posing together in front of an Invest Brampton backdrop in business attire.
Smiling man in a navy blazer at a buffet, holding a plate of food and chatting with others in a bright room.

About the City of Brampton 

As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 800,000 people and more than 124,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable, and successful. Visit brampton.ca to learn more. 

For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications. 

Be in-the-know about Brampton’s business community

* indicates required
Which sector best represents your business or organization?

Click here to subscribe to all other Brampton Economic Development newsletters.

author avatar
Brampton Communications
See Full Bio
Six professionals in business attire stand behind a podium at a Brampton press conference promoting a 10-point U.S. Tariff and Economic Resilience Plan. Previous:
City of Brampton strengthens response to U.S. tariffs with new 10-Point Economic Resilience Plan 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Tariff Updates and Resources

Learn more →