– The City of Brampton, recently recognized among the top food processing cities in North America by Business Facilities Magazine’s 20th Annual Metro Rankings Report, proudly hosted its third Annual Food and Beverage Processing Summit today at the Pearson Convention Center.
The event brought together key government, industry and business leaders to discuss the future of food and beverage processing in Brampton and beyond. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Mayor Patrick Brown and City Councillors, The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, The Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Mayor Kevin Davis of Brantford, Deputy Mayor Tammy Hwang of Hamilton, as well as executives and innovators from across the food and beverage sector.
Attendees participated in keynote addresses, panel discussions and networking sessions that explored innovation, competitiveness, sustainability and global market expansion.
Brampton’s food and beverage processing industry contributes $1.3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and employs approximately 8,500 people across 300 companies. The sector is home to industry leaders such as Maple Lodge Foods, Italpasta, Sofina Foods and Coke Canada Bottling, and continues to attract new investments from companies including Niche Bakers, Handi Foods, Hello Fresh and Marc Angelo Foods.
Mayor Patrick Brown highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating, “The food and beverage processing sector is a cornerstone of Brampton’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and driving innovation. As we mark the third annual summit, we’re proud that Brampton has been recognized among the top food processing markets in North America. This achievement underscores our city’s strength and potential as a hub for investment, collaboration and growth.”
Regional Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor added, “The Food and Beverage Processing Summit is an important opportunity to bring government and industry together to share solutions, address challenges and plan for future growth. Brampton’s recognition as a top food processing city reinforces why these conversations are so important and helps strengthen the city’s leadership in the sector.”
Denise McClure, Director of Economic Development and International Relations for the City of Brampton, emphasized the city’s momentum: “Being named one of North America’s top food processing cities is a tremendous acknowledgment of Brampton’s thriving food and beverage sector. The summit brought together industry leaders and government partners to explore opportunities and tackle challenges, showcasing why Brampton is the ideal place for investment, innovation and growth in this industry.”
With a unique food cluster that drives growth in agriculture, manufacturing, retail and hospitality, Brampton continues to position itself as a hub for food technology, research, and product innovation—enhancing safety, sustainability and competitiveness in the global market.