Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Canadian Associations
Baking Association of Canada (BAC) | BAC is a national trade association representing retail, in-store and commercial baking companies and allied trades. It seeks to empower its members through knowledge transfer and networking. BAC’s newsletter is published 10 times a year and is distributed in Bakers Journal.
Culinary Federation | Canada's largest federally chartered professional chefs' organization with the goal of uniting chefs and cooks across Canada in a common dedication to professional excellence.
International Associations
American Bakers Association (ABA) | ABA is the voice of wholesale baking in the US. Its mission is to enhance the American bakery industry through public policy advocacy, education, and networking.
Independent Bakers Association (IBA) | IBA is a national trade association with over 200 family-owned wholesale bakeries and allied industry trades.
Baking Industry Forum (BIF) | BIF is a small group of bakers and suppliers who come together to discuss topics and issues facing the commercial baking industry. The group provides the industry with a strong resource for ideas and expertise based on research and years of experience.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Bakers Journal | Canadian magazine that highlights the latest industry trends and success stories in Canada’s bakery industry.
Canadian Grocer | A national publication for Canadian Grocers, the site is regularly updated with information and tips for grocers. Subscribe to their print magazine or view online content.
Baking & Snack | Industry magazine covering the development, production, packaging, and distribution of grain-based products.
bake magazine | bake magazine serves retail, foodservice, and intermediate wholesale businesses, focusing on tips, techniques, and trends designed to build traffic and profits. Follow other successful bakeries to learn their business strategies and operations.
Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | Follow the latest trends, category insight, products, ingredients, equipment, technology and packaging information to help grow your business. Archived issues of the e-magazine are available to view.
Commercial Baking | A quarterly magazine that curates content based on data, trends and innovations in the baking industry.
Supermarket News | A space for competitive intelligence, news, and information to make smart business decisions. Take a look at the bakery section of the site.
Bakery Business | Bakery Business is a magazine based out of New Zealand presenting fresh, contemporary coverage of this ever-growing market and encompasses all aspects of the bakery sector.
World Bakers | An international website with information on trends, market information, and the latest news on commercially available products. Past magazines are available to view online.
Consultant & Other Websites
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Federal department that is responsible for supporting the growth and development of the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canada. Start by looking at the Sector Trend Analysis – Baked Goods in Canada and the Sector Trend Analysis - Baked Goods in the United States.
Baking Business | Go-to resource for information on grain-based food industry news, commodity markets, ingredients, processing trends and innovations, publications and more.
bake magazine | bake magazine serves retail, foodservice, and intermediate wholesale businesses, focusing on tips, techniques, and trends designed to build traffic and profits. Follow other successful bakeries to learn their business strategies and operations.
Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | Follow the latest trends, category insight, products, ingredients, equipment, technology and packaging information to help grow your business. Take a look at their blog, directories, and webinars.
World Bakers | An international website with information on trends, market information, and the latest news on commercially available products.
Bakerpedia | Based in Portland, Oregon, USA, BAKERpedia has team members and collaborators around the world. From technical writers to bakery experts, everyone is always thinking of new ways and mediums to share information with you. This site is a wealth of information including articles in the Baking Specialties section based on different pastries and seminars through Baker Academy.
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs & Discussion Forums
Blogs
So Good.. | A biannual magazine aimed at the professionals of world dessert, sweet and savory pastry, ice cream and chocolate. While the magazine is a paid subscription, take a look at the free section of the Pastry Blog and News.
Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | Follow the latest trends, category insight, products, ingredients, equipment, technology and packaging information to help grow your business. The blog provides perspective, insight and analysis on current trends in the snack food and bakery industries.
The Better Baker Club | Allyson Grant’s was the owner of a cupcake shop and a contestant on The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. She now runs The Better Baker Club and its blog consisting of advice and tips for bakery entrepreneurs.
Bakerpedia | Based in Portland, Oregon, USA, BAKERpedia has team members and collaborators around the world. From technical writers to bakery experts, everyone is always thinking of new ways and mediums to share information with you. Check out the regularly updated blog.
Podcasts
Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery | The Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery “Ingrained Insights” podcast features insightful interviews with snack and bakery industry leaders on a variety of timely topics.
Pastry Arts Magazine | Join host Tish Boyle, managing editor of Pastry Arts Magazine, as she goes in-depth with prominent pastry and baking figures to explore their journey, lessons and advice for professionals striving for excellence.
Forums
Baking Forums | A baking community with a variety of ability levels from amateur to professional. The forum is separated into categories including types of pastries.
ChefTalk | With over 85,000 members ChefTalk covers a wide range of topics in the cooking and industry. Head over to the Pastries & Baking section for more relevant discussions related to baking.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.