2025
8
Canada Seasonal Eating Trends Report 2025
2025-09-30T12:02:11+00:00
REP7A7B904A_FBD9_4F9D_9BE3_2047E79E8B68
3695
187210
[{"name":"Food","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/food"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"Canada","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/canada-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
Seasonality is a fundamental part of Canadian life, shaping daily routines and the nation's identity. While winters are a defining feature, Canadians also experience hot summers, especially in more populous…
Canada
Food
simple

Canada Seasonal Eating Trends Report 2025

Seasonality is a fundamental part of Canadian life, shaping daily routines and the nation's identity.

Trusted by leading global brands

Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
Amazon logo
Deutsch brand logo
waitrose
Bauer-Media-Group
mediacom-logo-e1438678858172 (1)
VML Logo
Epsilon Logo
VocaLink_Mastercard_logo-PNG-1
4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Market predictions
    • Opportunities
    • What consumers want & why
  2. THE MARKET

    • Market drivers
    • Foodservice sales spike in warmer months
    • Graph 1: monthly food services and drinking places sales, 2019-25
    • Seasonality’s impact may become more pronounced due to US tariffs
    • Winter months show greater temperature variance in Canada
    • Graph 2: monthly average surface temperature by year, 2005, 2015, 2025 (January-August)
    • Will a changing climate alter seasonal food and drink traditions?
    • The significance of seasonal holidays continues to evolve
    • Graph 3: any participation), newer vs established Canadians, 2024
  3. CONSUMER INSIGHTS

    • Consumer fast facts
    • Seasonal eating and preparation patterns
    • Seasonal changes influence the meals Canadians cook and enjoy
    • Embrace warmth in the cold and lightness in the heat
    • Graph 4: how eating behaviours shift in colder seasons (eg fall/winter), 2025
    • Graph 5: how eating behaviours shift in warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), 2025
    • Explore differences in eating preferences across seasons
    • Leverage existing associations when promoting seasonal foods and dining experiences
    • Graph 6: association with season by food or eating experience, 2025
    • Refreshment is a need and a mindset
    • Comfort foods can connect Canadians as temperatures drop
    • How people cook and eat reflects the changing seasons
    • Graph 7: views on eating and meal preparation habits and seasonality, 2025
    • Choosing seasonal foods has evolved from a necessity to a luxury
    • Seasonal changes in meals and eating habits help Canadians mark time
    • Food/ingredients and the seasons
    • Stove-top dishes allow Canadians to warm up from the inside out
    • Graph 8: foods/ingredients most associated with colder seasons (eg fall/winter), 2025
    • As the temperature rises, so does the sizzle
    • Graph 9: foods/ingredients most associated with warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), 2025
    • Seasonal cooking takes Canadians from the kitchen to the backyard
    • Graph 10: how meals are typically prepared during colder months (fall/winter), 2025
    • Graph 11: how meals are typically prepared during warmer months (spring/summer), 2025
    • Slow cooking, big flavour with slow cooking
    • Attitudes toward seasonality’s impact on indulgence and healthy eating
    • Holidays are a time to indulge, often leading individuals to return to healthy eating habits afterwards
    • Graph 12: attitudes toward seasonality’s impact on indulgence and healthy eating, 2025
    • Body consciousness grows in warmer seasons
    • Foodservice versus the home and seasonal eating habits
    • During colder months, Canadians embrace staying home for their meals
    • Graph 13: attitudes toward seasonality and foodservice vs at home, 2025
    • Inspire creative cooking during colder seasons
    • Embracing hygge: global inspiration for seasonal eating in Canada
    • Nature’s influence on seasonal eating and drinking
    • A warming planet puts hydration in the spotlight
    • Graph 14: nature’s influence on seasonality eating and drinking habits, 2025
    • Rising global temperatures amplifies hydration’s importance
    • Graph 15: global land-ocean temperature index, 1973-2024
    • Seasonality and localism are intertwined
    • Parental status and seasonal eating trends
    • Parents’ eating patterns are more susceptible to seasonality’s impact
    • Graph 16: impact of seasonality on meal preparation or consumption, by parental status, 2025
    • Age and parental status intersect when it comes to broad views on seasonality
    • Parents are more likely to express unexpected eating behaviours in warmer seasons
    • Graph 17: how eating behaviours shift in warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), by parental status, 2025
    • Parents also show some surprising behaviours during colder seasons
    • Graph 18: how eating behaviours shift in colder seasons (eg fall/winter), by parental status, 2025
    • Parents associate more foods and drink with the different seasons
    • Graph 19: foods/ingredients most associated with warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), by parental status, 2025
    • Graph 20: foods/ingredients most associated with colder seasons (eg fall/winter), by parental status, 2025
    • Canadians are getting on board with charcuterie
    • Parental status affects seasonal meal prep habits
    • Graph 21: how meals are typically prepared during warmer months (spring/summer) and colder months (fall/winter), 2025
    • Parents align food choices with seasonal shifts
    • Graph 22: attitudes towards seasonal changes and eating patterns, parents vs non-parents, 2025
    • Mintel Spark concepts: playful ideas that reflect the change in seasons for parents
    • Parents rely more on foodservice across seasons
    • Graph 23: shifts in foodservice-related habits by season, parents vs non-parents, 2025
    • Parents tend to indulge more during holidays, but also adjust their habits afterwards
    • Graph 24: attitudes towards the seasonal impact on indulgence and healthy eating, parents vs non-parents, 2025
    • Generations and seasonal eating trends
    • Seasonality appears to most influence Millennials’ cooking and eating habits…
    • Graph 25: impact of seasonality on meal preparation or consumption, by generation, 2025
    • …but the story doesn’t end there
    • Graph 26: attitudes toward cooking and eating habits across seasons (any agree), by generation, 2025
    • Boomers and Gen X: turning seasonal perspectives into action
    • Boomers consider foods typically linked to warmer months
    • Graph 27: foods/ingredients most associated with warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), 2025
    • Quick-service restaurants compete for attention with refreshing summer drinks
    • Comfort in the kitchen, or at the grill, helps explain seasonal cooking dynamics
    • Graph 28: how meals are typically prepared during colder months (fall/winter), by generation, 2025
    • Graph 29: how meals are typically prepared during warmer months (spring/summer), by generation, 2025
    • Tap into younger generations cooking aspirations with seasonally-inspired dishes
    • Graph 30: “I aspire to be better at cooking” (% agree), by generation, 2023
    • Address Millennials’ health priorities year-round
    • Graph 31: attitudes towards the seasonal impact on healthy eating, by generation, 2025
    • Foodservice operators should adjust promotions based on seasonal dynamics
    • Graph 32: shifts in foodservice-related habits by season, by generation, 2025
    • Daylight affects dinner timing for Millennials
    • Work location and seasonal eating trends
    • Seasonal shifts are particularly noticeable for remote workers
    • Graph 33: impact of seasonality on meal preparation or consumption, by work location, 2025
    • Changes in seasonal food habits occur in practical ways
    • Graph 34: attitudes toward seasonal changes’ impact of food choices and food delivery (any agree), by work location, 2025
    • Staying grounded: how seasonal changes can anchor remote workers
    • Seasonal positioning can help menu items stand out on delivery apps
    • Graph 35: reasons for using restaurant delivery services, 2023
    • Seasonal positioning can promote in-app orders
    • Quebec and seasonal eating trends
    • Quebecers prefer lighter cuisine in warmer seasons
    • Graph 36: how eating behaviours shift in warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), Quebec vs overall, 2025
    • Leverage “robustness” with Quebecers during colder seasons
    • Newer Canadians and seasonal eating trends
    • Newer Canadians show some counter-intuitive behaviours on seasonal eating in the colder seasons…
    • Graph 37: how eating behaviours shift in colder seasons (eg fall/winter), newer vs established Canadians, 2025
    • …and the warmer seasons as well
    • Graph 38: how eating behaviours shift in warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), newer vs established Canadians, 2025
    • Barbecuing is less likely to symbolize summer for newer Canadians
    • Graph 39: foods/ingredients most associated with warmer seasons (eg spring/summer), newer vs established Canadians, 2025
    • Established Canadians are more likely to have outdoor space
    • Graph 40: home amenities, newer vs established Canadians, 2024
    • Familiarity shapes seasonal food preparation habits
    • Graph 41: how meals are typically prepared during warmer months (spring/summer), newer vs established Canadians, 2025
    • Graph 42: how meals are typically prepared during colder months (fall/winter), newer vs established Canadians, 2025
    • Newer Canadians are more affected by seasonal changes in foodservice habits
    • Graph 43: attitudes toward seasonality and foodservice, newer vs established Canadians, 2025
  4. COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES

    • Launch activity and innovation
    • Sweets are the clear leader in seasonally positioned launches
    • Graph 44: share of food and drink launches with seasonal claims, 2024
    • The persistence of pumpkin
    • Taking pumpkin too far?
    • Springing into changing seasons
    • Tis the season: holiday favourites everyday formats
    • Seasonal tweaks to spice things up
    • Maple: patriotism + seasonality
    • Marketing and advertising
    • Tourism and seasonality are closely related
    • Use events like Ribfest to connect with Canadians in person
    • Canadian National Exhibition: end-of-summer showcase of food fun and innovation
    • Opportunities
    • Help consumers enjoy the affordability, nutrition and taste benefits of seasonal offerings
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Generations
    • Abbreviations and terms
Download Report Summary

Seasonality is a fundamental part of Canadian life, shaping daily routines and the nation’s identity. While winters are a defining feature, Canadians also experience hot summers, especially in more populous regions. These seasonal changes deeply influence food habits, affecting what individuals eat, how meals are prepared and the emotional ties to food throughout the year.

During summer and winter, preferences shift. Food choices, cooking methods and emotional considerations evolve with the seasons. This report examines how Canadians’ eating and cooking habits change across seasons, highlighting spring/summer and fall/winter foods, varying preparation techniques and the psychological and cultural connections tied to seasonal eating.

This report also explores key factors like nature’s influence, impacts on foodservice and regional distinctions, such as those in Quebec. It also considers how generational differences, remote work trends and parental status shape preferences. Additionally, it looks at how newcomers to Canada adapt their eating habits to the country’s seasonal customs.

This report looks at the following areas:

  • The influence of seasonality on meal preparation and consumption habits
  • How behaviours adapt to warmer versus colder seasons
  • Associations consumers are more likely to form with food in different seasons
  • Preferred meal preparation methods throughout the year
  • Shifts between indulgence and healthy eating during and after holiday periods
  • Foodservice demands in warmer and colder seasons
  • Category-specific launch activity and seasonal positioning

Seasonality shapes Canada's identity, influencing what Canadians eat, how they cook and their emotional connections to food year-round.

Joel Gregoire, Associate Director of Food & Drink Reports

Market Definitions

This report examines consumer preferences related to foods and beverages, with a focus on seasonality. It looks at the impact of seasonal changes, shifts in consumption and preparation habits between warmer and colder months, as well as different food preferences.

£ 3,695 excl. Tax
Secure direct checkout
Instant PDF download
Portal access included
Need help deciding? Get in touch

Trusted by global industry leaders

4.5 stars
Source: G2.com, Inc.
Mediacom logo

Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.

It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.

Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
VocaLink logo

We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.

As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.

We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.

 

Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
Jackman logo

At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.

Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
Waitrose & Partners logo

We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.

Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.

Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners
Wincanton logo

When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.

They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.

So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.

Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
Deutsch logo

One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.

We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.

We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.

Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
Abacus logo

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
Bauer Media Group logo

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
Tenth Wave logo

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave
Amazon logo

Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.

Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.

Ngozi Ngonadi-Nkwoji, Senior Marketing Manager, Amazon
Epsilon logo

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
VML logo

We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.

Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.

Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML