Sébastien Villeneuve

Sébastien Villeneuve is a research scientist in food process engineering at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. His work focuses on developing thermophysical approaches to reduce microbiological risks and improve food safety in Canada. These approaches aim to optimize food processing operations and strengthen sustainability throughout the distribution chain. His research on the development of advanced computational tools and databases, integrated with artificial intelligence, enables the transformation of data into predictive and adaptive tools, fostering more efficient, circular, and environmentally responsible food systems.
 

From Farm to Fork: How Data and AI Are Transforming Canada’s Food Future

This presentation reveals how Canadian researchers are reinventing the food system by building powerful “farm-to-fork” databases fueled by artificial intelligence. By collecting nationwide data on farming, processing, transport, and retail, they create digital tools that predict risks, reduce food waste, and strengthen food safety. A flagship project maps the entire journey of fresh produce across Canada to identify vulnerabilities from contamination risks to emergency response gaps using GIS mapping, transport-time modelling, and cold-chain analysis.

Beyond current achievements, several ambitious projects are underway: pilot-scale platforms to measure food loss and waste, advanced indicators for circular agri-food systems, and the integration of new processing technologies into Canada’s value chain. These initiatives pave the way for digital twins capable of simulating real-world scenarios before they happen.

The takeaway is bold: with high-quality data, AI, and virtual modelling, Canada can build a smarter, safer, and more sustainable food system for everyone.