# Event Details - **Event Name**: SW Food Summit 2026 - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 26 May, 2026 at 08:00 am – Tue, 26 May, 2026 at 02:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Exploring New Paths to MarketAbout this EventJoin us on Tuesday, May 26th, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the SW Food Summit 2026, a dynamic event designed to connect you with the heart of the region's thriving food and beverage ecosystem. You'll gain exclusive access to a powerful network of industry leaders, innovative resources, and actionable strategies to drive your business forward.Keynote:Kirk Homenick- President of Naturally Homegrown FoodsKirk Homenick is a Canadian business executive and President of Naturally Homegrown Foods, a company known for premium snack brands like Hardbite Chips and Poptastic Popcorn. Since taking on the role in 2011, he has grown the business from a niche Canadian brand into an internationally recognized player in the better-for-you snack industry, expanding distribution and driving consistent product innovation.Before joining the company, Homenick built experience across agriculture, food production, and life sciences, working with organizations such as Houwelings, Forbes Medi-Tech, and BC Hot House. He holds an MBA in Strategy and Finance from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Southern California.Under his leadership, Naturally Homegrown Foods has focused on high-quality ingredients, sustainability, and innovation, including new product lines and environmentally responsible initiatives. Homenick has also been active in the broader business community and was recognized as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Pacific in 2025 for his leadership and impact.Why You Should AttendThe SW Food Summit isn't just another industry event; it's your gateway to unlocking the region's thriving food and beverage ecosystem. Step into a day where innovation meets opportunity, where you can directly connect with the key players—from influential founders and industry experts to vital support services in distribution, marketing, and product development. Discover how to leverage cutting-edge resources, and plug into the infrastructure that will propel your business forward. Unlike any other event, we're creating a powerful hub for collaboration and growth. Leave with invaluable insights, actionable strategies, and the connections you need to weather today's economic challenges and drive your success in Canada's dynamic food and beverage landscape.Event Highlights:Connect with key players in the South West Ontario food and beverage ecosystem.Gain insights from industry experts and influential founders.Explore innovative resources, and infrastructure access.Learn strategies to navigate economic challenges and drive growth.Network with vital support services in the Networking Hall.Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local producers.Event Details:Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PMRegistration:- Food and Beverage Manufacturer - $25- General Admission - $40Location: The Grove at Western Fair District, 900 King St, London, ON N5W 5K3Parking: Plenty of Free Parking AvailableLunch: Provided from local producersEnter the "Flourish Award" Competition - Best New Product 2026The Flourish Award provides a platform for food & beverage businesses to showcase their products, generate excitement, and connect with industry leaders. The award recognizes the most exciting new food or beverage product launched in the past 12 months.Application deadline: April 30, 2026Criteria:- Applicants must be a Canadian-owned small business in Southwest Ontario region, ideally in the food and beverage sector, with a focus on innovative consumer packaged goods (CPG).- The product must have been launched or be set to launch in 2026, with a clear go-to-market plan and initial production capabilities.- The product should demonstrate originality, solve a consumer need, and have potential to succeed in the marketplace.Grand Prize valued at over $30,000 featuring services that will help scale their business:From Fanshawe Centre for Research and Innovation:New Product Packaging for 1 Product1) Consultation with Dr. Nastaran Moghimi to identify and source sustainable packaging solution2) Product testing (saturated fats, sodium, and sugar) to determine need for front-of-packaging labeling3) Validation of sustainable packaging solution’s performance via shelf-life study with up to 5 time points4) Packaging run of up to 1000 units with validated sustainable packaging solutionFrom True Leaves ConsultingComprehensive Regulatory Compliance Package: Includes Nutrition Facts Table development, ingredient and allergen review, and packaging artwork compliance checksFrom Winston WilmontMarketing and Communications Consultation Package (communications audit and consulting session, along with an analysis and recommendations)Enter Now: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events3/banners/3f46b1f0-33de-11f1-815c-a90acb8b9ebc-rimg-w1200-h600-dcffffff-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/3f7e15a0-33de-11f1-99a0-e133baf342d3-rimg-w1200-h600-dcffffff-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/3fa8cf20-33de-11f1-815c-a90acb8b9ebc-rimg-w1200-h600-dcffffff-gmir.jpg In Partnership with: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/3fdab490-33de-11f1-815c-a90acb8b9ebc-rimg-w947-h740-dcffffff-gmir.jpg Agenda🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AMRegistration/Networking/TradeshowInfo: Kickstart your day with valuable Networking & our vibrant Tradeshow🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:05 AMWelcome to the Grove🕑: 09:05 AM - 09:15 AMIntro to the Regional Food Ecosystem🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:00 AMKeynote - Kirk Homenick; President of Naturally Homegrown FoodsInfo: Kirk Homenick is the President of Naturally Homegrown Foods, where he has led the growth of brands like Hardbite Chips and Poptastic Popcorn by focusing on natural ingredients, product innovation, and Canadian sourcing. With a background in business development and finance, including an MBA from Simon Fraser University, he has helped expand the company’s presence across Canada and internationally, while also contributing to industry and community organizations and earning recognition such as EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Pacific (2025).🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:40 AMNetworking/Trade Show🕑: 10:40 AM - 11:10 AMPanel: New Paths for Food and Beverage SuccessInfo: Craig Clifford and Kristian Crossen- Western University Hospitality Services and Procurement Shay Nulman- Co-Founder and CFO of Mantaro🕑: 11:10 AM - 11:30 AMFlourish Award PresentationInfo: Sponsored by: Fanshawe College, Winston Wilmont, True Leaves Consulting🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PMLunch (Top of the Fair)🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PMBreakout Session Info: Barcodes and Beyond: What You Need to Be Market-Ready Presented by Alain Picard- Advisor and Community Engagement with GS1🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PMBreakout Session Info: Tell Your Story, Grow Your Sales: Marketing for Food & Beverage Presented by Amanda DeVries- Founder of Eye Candy Design🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PMBreak🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:15 PMBreakout SessionInfo: Co-Packing Without Chaos: How to Choose a Co-Manufacturer and Protect Your Product Presented by Martha Castillo- Food Industry Consultant and Educator with Fanshawe College and Conestoga College🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:15 PMBreakout SessionInfo: The Long Game: Investment, Growth and Exit Strategies Panel Discussion featuring Drew Rankin- Founder of Parkway Food Group and Domenique Mastronardi- President of Beck’s Broth - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/london/sw-food-summit-2026/100001985995747743 - **Event Categories**: business, contests, exhibitions - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 28.25, max: 45.2, currency: CAD ## Event venue details - **city**: London - **state**: ON - **country**: Canada - **location**: The Grove at Western Fair District - **lat**: 42.98980599999999 - **long**: -81.2205571 - **full address**: The Grove at Western Fair District, 900 King Street, London, Canada ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: SW Food Summit 2026 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/71fb88588e3c8320ac09b9e26bb8a66e050e7c48804db5c9283a09ff97c6ba79-rimg-w1200-h600-dcffffff-gmir.jpg?v=1775716522 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is SW Food Summit 2026 being held? - **A:** SW Food Summit 2026 takes place on Tue, 26 May, 2026 at 08:00 am to Tue, 26 May, 2026 at 02:00 pm at The Grove at Western Fair District, 900 King Street, London, Canada. - **Q**: How much do tickets cost for SW Food Summit 2026? - **A:** Ticket prices for SW Food Summit 2026 range from CAD 28 to CAD 45 depending on the ticket type. Here's a full breakdown of available ticket types:Ticket TypePriceAvailabilityGeneral AdmissionCAD 45 + CAD 5 taxAvailableFood and Beverage Manufacturer/ProcessorCAD 28 + CAD 3 taxAvailable - **Q**: Who is organizing SW Food Summit 2026? - **A:** SW Food Summit 2026 is organized by London Economic Development Corporation. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** SW Food Summit 2026 is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, startup founders, and networking enthusiasts eager to grow their connections. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in London, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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