Last weekend’s first-ever Ribfest in Fort Frances attracted more than 4,000 people over the three days.
The event features three food trucks from outside the community that specialize in ribs and participate in similar events across Canada.
Committee member Catrina Caira considers it a huge success.
“Everyone on the team definitely has ideas for how we can improve it for next year, but we are very, very happy with the reception and how the weekend went,” says Caira.
The event was held near the Sorting Gap Marina and included vendors, kids’ activities and entertainment, along with the food.
Ribs on the Rainy in Fort Frances, September 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
“Vendors were very happy. They did well. The rib trucks were also quite happy,” notes Cairo.
There were some glitches.
For example, some other food trucks and the bouncy castles for the kids failed to show because of mechanical issues that prohibited them from getting to the site.
Otherwise, community response so far has been positive.
Caira says the organizing committee will gather soon to talk about the event and put the wheels in motion for next year’s event.
“We’re going to be having some meetings to go over what we learned from this year and make notes about how to improve it for next year,” says Caira.
“The next phase after that will be figuring out when we’re holding it next year and potentially starting to secure sponsorships.”
Another fall date is likely, but one that avoids potential conflicts with other events.
Ribs on the Rainy in Fort Frances, September 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
The first-ever RibFest in Fort Frances takes place this weekend.
Ribs on the Rainy is a three-day event, taking place near the Sorting Gap Marina, starting on Friday.
Committee member Catrina Caira says three trucks specializing in ribs, as part of a national tour, will visit.
“There are basically two major travelling rib teams, Eastern and Western. These guys are from the Eastern set,” says Kaira.
“They travel across the country doing ribfests, selling ribs and competing. When you actually go to a ribfest, in front of the trucks, they usually have tables with all the awards that they’ve won.”
“There’s usually also some people that will have sauce samples you can taste before you decide which rib team you’re going to buy ribs from.”
All three of the trucks are Canadian-owned.
The team known as Texas Rangers Barbecue has been operating and competing at RibFest events for more than 20 years.
The other teams, Mississippi Smokehouse hails from London, Ontario, with Smoky Rebel Barbecue hails from the East Coast and is one of the newer teams to the RibFest circuit.
All three will go head-to-head for the top award to be determined by a team of judges that includes Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas.
“The Big Rib Fest competition is going to be at 3 p.m. on Sunday,” says Kaira.
There will be other activities coinciding with the ribs.
There will be live music each night, including a repeat performance from the contestants who performed in this summer’s Kids Quest and Quest for the Best.
Space Race out of Kenora and Sage McBride and Tim Newton from the band Shred Kelly will perform Friday night.
King of None takes the stage on Saturday night, with Jill Loryn, a singer-songwriter from Emo, performing Sunday evening.
“We’re going to have the stage. We’re going to have a bar. We’re going to have a kid zone with bouncy castles. We’re going to have vendors and booths and tables set up, so it should be a pretty fun event,” says Kaira.
The gates open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m.
There is no admission charge, but there is a cost to taste the food offered by the food trucks.
The Real Atlantic Superstore has lowered prices on more than 4,000 grocery and household products, a move the company says will save a family of four up to $300 annually.
District manager Ken Chapdelaine says customers can identify discounted items by looking for “New Lower Price” stickers in store aisles and on shelves.
“Everybody’s trying to eat healthier, especially this time of year going back to school. Saving $2 on every pack of naval oranges going forward is absolutely fantastic,” adding, “Who doesn’t eat Kraft Peanut Butter? You know, everybody’s getting into the snacks.”
Among the thousands of newly lowered prices are select chicken breasts, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, McCain fries, No Name frozen green peas, and Children’s Tylenol Cold & Cough.
PHOTO: REAL ATLANTIC SUPERSTORE
Chapdelaine says the lower prices are being offered on top of weekly flyer specials, PC Optimum offers and other in-store promotions, with no plans to end the initiative anytime soon.
“It’s week after week after week on top of your flyer, on top of your digital offers that you have for PC Optimum, on top of all the deals that we have each and every week and each and every day inside our store.”
Food analyst says discounts may offer only temporary relief
Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says consumers should temper their expectations, explaining that the discounts are unlikely to provide long-term relief from rising food costs.
“There’s a price freeze period between November to end of February every year. So suppliers are not allowed to increase prices. My guess is that the campaign is going to last several months, well into 2027, and they’re basically going to be reducing or freezing prices for many products, granting immunity to consumers against food inflation.”
Charlebois says increased competition may also be playing a role in the discounts.
FreshCo – Sobeys’ discount grocery chain and a direct competitor to Loblaws’ No Frills – is expanding into Atlantic Canada, increasing pressure on established grocers.
“Whenever we have new stores in a market, it tends to make things easier for everyone, even if you’re not planning to shop at new stores. It typically will push other contenders to bring down prices for a while.”
He says his team has already seen prices soften across the region.
“We actually did notice that prices dropped in August by 2.1% generally in our region. So, we have already seen some price adjustments across the board without this campaign.”
Atlantic Superstore in Bridgewater, NS. PHOTO: EVAN TAYLOR/ACADIA NEWS
Charlebois says some products in Superstore’s promotion do represent strong value, pointing to Kraft Peanut Butter as one example.
“The smooth one kilogram jar is typically around eight dollars, eight-fifty. That’s the regular price, and during the summer, of course, it’s not on sale but because kids are back in school, they’re being very aggressive with peanut butter in general. Anything south of six dollars for a kilo is not bad, especially since the Kraft brand dominates that category,” he explains.
“At that price, I can tell you it’s borderline loss leading. So, Loblaw’s is likely losing money selling a kilo of peanut butter under six bucks.”
Still, Charlebois says the broader impact may be limited. He tells Acadia Broadcasting grocery retailers often hold prices steady through what he calls a holiday “blackout period,” with prices expected to begin climbing again around March.
It has been a busy year for the Salvation Army and its food bank in Fort Frances.
Demand has is close to surpassing last year’s numbers.
As of August, over 7,200 pounds of food have been distributed to 807 individuals and 463 households.
In all of 2025, the Salvation Army helped nearly 1,400 people in 708 households.
Community Ministries Director Stuart Walter notes that, taking away what they do during the Christmas period, they are still 88% of what we served in all of last year.
“And it’s not just the stereotypical people you’d think would need the food bank,” notes Walter.
“We have over 40% of the people that we see work. Over 50% are of working age, so between 18 and 64. And the biggest group of that, 24%, are 31 to 44, most people think of as the prime of their career.”
Walter says many people are simply finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet with the costs, especially food, continually increasing.
“And it’s just, it’s such a slippery slope that everyone’s on right now, and it’s really hard,” he adds.
So far, the food bank has been coping with the increased demand.
A recent shipment of food was received from the Regional Food Distribution Association in Thunder Bay, of which several agencies are members.
Additional support has come from Food Banks Canada.
Walter says donations from the community are also helping to keep the doors open.
“Without that, especially the community donors part, we would not be able to survive,” says Walter.
He says the food bank is not in a position where it would have to shutter, as the Salvation Army did with its food bank in Cornwall this spring.
He says there are operational changes they could consider, as was done in Kenora, where demand was exceedingly high in August.
He says they are not there yet because of the community support seen from the district.
A well known YouTuber and competitive eater stopped by Dan’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Barrington for his most recent challenge.
Adam Moran, also known as BeardMeatsFood has has almost 7 million subscribers and more than 2.5 billion views on his YouTube channel, and his latest video, “I ordered the biggest sub in Nova Scotia…’Dan’s Monster Sub Challenge!’” has already garnered nearly 3.9 million views in less than two days.
Moran had to finish the 2-foot long multiple pound sandwich in just 45 minutes, or face being placed on Dan’s wall of shame.
In the video, multiple members of the community came out to watch Moran do battle with the massive meal.
The challenge proved to be an easy one for Moran, who finished the behemoth sub in just over 21 minutes. For his efforts, he received a basket full of goodies from Dan’s Ice Cream Shoppe and a t-shirt to commemorate his victory.
Pack some napkins, because the Yarmouth Rotary Ribfest returns for another year of family fun.
This year’s edition will have all the staples community members have come to love, like live music, cold drinks, a bouncy castle, award winning pulled pork, chicken, sides and of course, ribs.
The festival is being held on the grounds of the Mariner’s Centre, at 45 Jody Shelley Drive, and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged, with proceeds from the event going to the Rotary Club of Yarmouth.
Parking is $2 per vehicle to park on festival grounds, and the funds will be collected by and go directly to the Yarmouth Ground Search and Rescue team.
Five professional Ribbers from across the country will be on site, but be aware that the vendors on site are cash only.
Canadians are still facing some of the highest grocery prices in the G7, despite Canada being one of the world’s largest agri-food exporters, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In response, the federal government has launched the country’s first-ever National Food Security Strategy.
The plan focuses on four key priorities:
Increasing competition among grocery chains Including a $1 billion investment in food hubs to support independent grocers, along with nearly $130 million to crack down on anti-competitive practices.
Boosting domestic food production Through more than $1.2 billion in funding to expand processing capacity, upgrade equipment, and grow Canada’s agri-food sector.
Expanding year-round growing With a $750 million investment in greenhouses and other indoor growing systems.
Cutting red tape for farmers By streamlining regulations and making it easier for products to be sold across provinces.
Carney says, “Too much of what we grow is processed elsewhere, and too many Canadians still rely on imported food at higher prices. Canadian farmers deserve more options to sell their produce, and Canadians deserve more options for where to buy their food.”
Backed by more than $3 billion over 10 years, the strategy aims to strengthen domestic production and build a more affordable, more self-sufficient food system.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald says, “Through this made-in-Canada approach, we will process more of what our farmers grow here at home, creating jobs, driving economic growth, and strengthening Canada’s food self-sufficiency.”
It also builds on federal efforts already in place, including tax relief, food programs, and support for food banks, greenhouse expansion, fisheries, and accessible food in northern communities.
Organizers with Burger Wars are confirming the popular food festival in Fort Frances will be ready to go ahead next year.
They have set June 4th, 2027, as the date.
They were forced to postpone for this year after a conflicting schedule with a new RibFest event that will take place in September.
Spokesperson Angela Halversen-Smith says alternate dates were considered, but those conflicted with other events the food trucks were previously committed to.
Halversen-Smith says moving it to next year gives them more time to plan to make it an even bigger and better event, showcased in the highly successful inaugural event last September.
Burger Wars in Fort Frances, September 12, 2025. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
“We want it to be a social event. We’re going to, of course, have music and make that festival feeling,” says Halversen-Smith.
“So just trying to improve on what we learned from our first year and hopefully be able to make it bigger and better with more food, more community, more local businesses and bring people downtown.”
Halversen-Smith says they are looking at extending the event, which focused on the 200 block of Scott Street, into the 100 block if possible to add more market vendors and activities.
They also expect to add more food trucks.
They are also looking at the potential of having both blocks licensed so people can wander around with their beverages.
Last year’s event featured five food trucks and attracted an estimated 2,000-2,500 people.
“One of the things that we’ve heard many times is that I haven’t seen that many people downtown in 20 years, 30 years. It’s been many, many years since they had a very large event that brought that many people to the town square downtown area.”
The Zamburger was the inaugural winner of Burger Wars, September 12, 2026. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia News
The event also helped raise $10,000 for Fort Frances Community Chest, which helps residents with emergency medical needs.
Halversen-Smith says they have no ill feelings toward the second food festival coming or the town.
She feels there is plenty of room and support for both events.
“We certainly are excited about Ribfest, and we want everyone to support that festival as well,” says Halversen-Smith.
“We’ll just get these kinks figured out, and hopefully we’ll have two wonderful festivals for the town to participate in.”
Burger Wars in Fort Frances, September 12, 2026. Image: Johnathan Price/Acadia Broadcasting
The Ontario government is being asked for safeguards on food pricing.
The provincial Liberals are seeking a ban on the use of algorithmic pricing, which involves consumer data based on their spending habits.
Interim leader John Fraser says it can lead to people buying the same item at the same time, but paying different prices.
And he wants to put a stop to it.
“We should not allow our personal information and algorithms to determine the grocery bill,” says Fraser.
“Data is currency, and it’s being traded by big companies. We have to make sure that we put guardrails around it and ensure that it doesn’t get used against us.”
Frasers bases his proposed legislation on that introduced in Manitoba and British Columbia.
He notes similar concerns were identified in the United States, where a Consumer Report investigation found Instacart’s algorithm produced price differences of up to 23% on identical items between different users.
A report by the Competition Bureau of Canada also warned that algorithmic pricing can lead to anti-competitive behaviour.
Fraser is also concerned with how companies are using the data they collect from consumers.
“Information is currency. Data is currency. ah And we have to, as legislators and regulators, we have to get ahead of the curve. We can’t wait for something to happen and try to roll it back.”
Premier Doug Ford dismisses the notion of the province having a role in pricing, calling it a socialist approach.
“There’s no better way of letting people get lower costs, no matter if it’s cars or homes or groceries, than competition,” says Ford.
“Socialism does not work.”
The Liberals’ proposal is scheduled for second reading at Queen’s Park.
Some HelloFresh meal kits have been recalled due to possible Listeria contamination in several cheese products.
Affected products include shredded parmesan, cheese curds, feta, goat cheese, and mozzarella.
According to the Government of Canada, food contaminated with Listeria may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause illness. Symptoms may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of additional products. The agency says it is also verifying that affected items are being removed from the marketplace.
The recall was initiated by HelloFresh, and no illnesses have been reported in connection with the affected products so far.
