Screen Time That Pays Off

Leveraging Online Learning in Your Food Business Journey

Have you ever logged out of a webinar feeling like you just wasted an hour of production time? Or maybe you’ve found yourself in an online networking session wondering why you bothered to show up? You’re not alone.

In today’s digital world, the image of a solitary farmer or food entrepreneur working in isolation is becoming a thing of the past. Instead, those of us in the food and agriculture sector are discovering the incredible value of connecting with peers through industry-specific communities, online learning opportunities, and networking events. These connections aren’t just nice to have—they’re becoming essential tools for growth and resilience.

The Community Conundrum

Food-specific communities offer something that general business resources simply can’t—targeted insights from those who truly understand your unique challenges. When you’re dealing with issues like seasonal harvests, cold chain logistics, or food safety regulations, advice from someone who’s actually been there is worth its weight in gold.

Online learning opportunities have transformed how we access knowledge, allowing us to learn from experts regardless of geographic barriers. A cheesemaker in rural BC can now learn techniques from an artisan in Quebec without leaving their production facility. These online spaces create access to valuable insights that in the past were available only to those who could afford to travel to conferences or workshops.

But food business owners face calendars filled with highlighted blocks. “I’m drowning in opportunities to connect,” a small-batch producer recently told us. “But I’m not sure any of them are actually moving my business forward.”

This situation reflects a growing challenge in our industry. In a post-pandemic world where every organization has gone digital, the number of food business communities has exploded. The question is no longer “How do I find my tribe?” but rather “How do I choose the right tribe from so many options?”

The True Value of Connection

Before tackling how to choose, let’s reflect on why these communities matter in the first place.

The early days of running a food business often come with that mixture of passion and isolation. The sleepless nights wondering if anyone else is facing the same challenges.

The right community changes that equation entirely. Suddenly, you’re not just solving problems—you’re preventing them by learning from others who’ve already walked your path. Hearing how another producer solved a packaging challenge or navigated a regulatory hurdle can save you countless hours of trial and error. These shared experiences create a collective wisdom that benefits everyone in the community.

Digital communities also help bridge the urban-rural divide that often exists in the food world. Farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers can connect in ways that weren’t possible before, creating better understanding across the entire food system. These connections often lead to unexpected collaborations and innovations.

But not all communities deliver equal value. The difference lies not just in the content presented, but in the connections fostered.

Choosing Communities That Matter

So how do you decide which communities and content are worth your time? Here’s a simple framework that might help:

1. Look for Peer Alignment

Who else is in the room or creating the content? Are they facing similar challenges at similar scales in your industry? A community of billion-dollar food corporations offers limited value to a small-batch producer, regardless of the topic. Similarly, a group of brand-new startups might not help if you’re working through scale-up challenges. Ask yourself: “Will these people understand my world?”

2. Evaluate Knowledge Exchange Mechanisms

For live events: does the community create space for genuine exchange and follow-up connections? A workshop or webinar or where 10-20 food business owners not only learn about industry-specific topics but also share their experiences creates exponential value compared to passive learning. The most valuable communities build in time for participant questions and breakout discussions.

For on-demand content: does it provide actionable takeaways for the food industry, rather than generic business advice?

3. Consider the Return on Time Investment

This is perhaps the most critical factor. After participating for a month, can you point to specific improvements in your business? Have you implemented ideas that emerged from the community? Have you made connections that led to collaboration? If not, it might be time to reassess.

Flexibility Meets Community: The Dual Approach

We find that the most successful approach is to have a blended approach to learning and connection. 

Live Community Engagement: Participating in select, high-value interactive sessions where real-time problem-solving and networking can happen.

On-Demand Learning: Supplementing live participation with relevant downloadable content that can be consumed during production lulls, commutes, or whenever fits their unpredictable schedules.

This dual approach recognizes a fundamental truth about food businesses: while community connection is invaluable, the reality of production schedules sometimes makes synchronous participation impossible.

And remember: the goal isn’t to consume every piece of content available — it will depend where you are in your business journey and what’s most important for you at any given time. You’ll want to select the learning experiences that move your specific business forward. 

In the world of food entrepreneurship, both how you learn and when you learn matter just as much as what you learn.

Farm Food Drink CONNECT

Which brings us to our own community.

Farm Food Drink currently works with partners such as PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Female Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food Development (FEAD) and Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA) to develop and facilitate online workshops and on-demand learning sessions, focused 100% on the farm and food industry.

We’re also excited to offer a special 4-week Farm Food Drink CONNECT Series for the Canadian food business industry, in May of 2025. This particular series is focused on helping business owners prepare their retail / grocery strategy, while building community — with food producers, processors, and entrepreneurs gathering virtually to tackle industry-specific challenges together.

What makes these sessions different? It’s not just the carefully curated topics or expert guests. It’s the intentional space we create for peer exchange—where the person who solved your exact packaging challenge last month might be sitting in the virtual seat next to you.

What would it mean for your business to have access to this collective intelligence? How might it change your decision-making to hear directly from others who have already walked the path you’re on?

Your experience matters too. The challenge you solved last month might be exactly what another producer needs to hear about this week.

So consider this your personal invitation to join us in May. Your seat at the virtual table is waiting. The future of your food business depends not just on what you create, but on how we grow together.