Product Development Peer Group

If you are responsible for product development in the food & beverage industry, BC Food & Beverages welcomes you to join your fellow peers in our Product Development Peer Group on April 2nd.

During the session, our guest speaker, Rebecca Hartley (Daiya Foods), will explore the importance of sensory science in product development, highlighting why and how to incorporate sensory evaluations throughout the product lifecycle. Learn about the key reasons sensory analysis is essential for creating products that align with consumer preferences. Whether developing a new product or refining an existing one, this session will provide practical strategies for leveraging sensory insights to create better products and increase market success. Following Rebecca’s conversation, our co-chairs, Lara Tiro (Rebel Botanica) and Vanessa Siu (Direct Plus), will lead the group discussion to hear from each participant on this topic.

Key Takeaways: 

• Understanding and incorporating sensory into your product development and quality programs will increase your chance of in-market success.
• Sensory science has a wide range of different tools that can be applied to answer many different product and consumer questions.
• Simple sensory tools and best practices can be incorporated at every stage of the product lifecycle.

About Rebecca Hartley

• Rebecca Hartley is the Director of R&D at Daiya Foods, a BC-based company specializing in plant-based cheese and cheesy products. With over a decade of experience in innovation, product development, sensory, and commercialization, she has successfully led cross-functional teams in launching category-leading products across global markets. Rebecca is passionate about combining consumer and sensory insights with science and technology to create better products for consumers.

Who Should Attend:

Food scientist/R&D, Quality Assurance Manager, Product Manager, Production Lead and those responsible for the day to day operations of product development within their business. This event is exclusively for processors and manufacturers.

What to Expect:

A facilitated group discussion to openly share ideas and seek advice from industry peers
New industry insight and valuable knowledge
A community of support and new industry connections

Members Only:

This event is private, only active members of BC Food & Beverage are permitted to attend.

Hybrid Event:

We’re getting together in-person; however, a link will be provided in advance for those who are only able to attend virtually.

*Please note spaces are limited to 24 participants for this session*

*Light refreshments and snacks will be served*

Product Development Peer Group Sponsor: 

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