Work in this sector encompasses a large range of professions. Possible work areas include:
- Clinical care and medical nutrition therapy
- Community and social service
- Consultation and business
- Education and research
- Nutrition & food management
- Food inspection and safety
- Health or nutrition promotion
- Process development
- Nutrition labeling
- Quality control & management
- Production management
- Product development
- Food service management
- Personal care and health aides
- Policy advisement and regulatory affairs
- Public relations and consumer affairs
- Sensory evaluation and shelf-life testing
- Food engineering & food technology
- Pharmaceutical or food sales
- Project management
Typical Employers
Typical employers can be categorized into the following core areas:
- Academic and research institutions. Typical employers include but not limited to, clinical labs, food and nutrition boards, university nutrition departments, culinary schools and university affiliated research centres.
- Community service and health care centres. Typical employers include but not limited to, sports centres, fitness and wellness centres, sport training centres, spas, health advocacy organizations, outpatient clinics, correction facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, health clinics, health education centres, residential care facilities, retirement residences, nursing homes, physicians’ offices and weight-loss clinics.
- Food product and service companies. Typical employers include but not limited to, food product companies, consumer affairs offices, advertising/public relations departments, airline hubs, high-tech production facilities, chain restaurants, food manufacturing and distribution companies.
- Non-profit and governmental organizations. Typical employers include but not limited to, local health departments and health-related government agencies such as Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; international developmental organizations such as Red Cross and Meals on Wheels; and other NGOs such as food banks, cancer societies, etc.
Industry Profiles
To learn more about this sector, visit the following web sites:
- Food & Nutrition Industry Areas (IFT)
Information about the science of food. Focus areas: food safety, product development, public policy and more.
Career Profiles
To learn more about different career options in this sector, visit the following web sites:
- Career paths in food & beverage (FoodGrads)
- Learn about dietitians (Dietitian of Canada)
- What nutritionists do (Association for Nutrition)
Career Books & Magazines
Recommended books (available at CaPS):
- Careers in nutrition
- Careers in food science: From undergraduate to professional
- Career opportunities in agriculture, food and natural resources
- Launching your dietetics career
- Career Books (Available in the McGill Library)
- Food in Canada Magazine
- Food Service & Nutrition Magazine
- Today’s Dietitian Magazine
Job Resources
The following links provide a list of job boards, internships and volunteering opportunities.
Note: To find internships, you can also use keywords like "internship" in some of the job boards to find opportunities.
Associations & Groups
Find an Organization
Food Security
- Canada - Agri-Food Product Category (Agri-Food Export Group)
Agri-food companies, searchable by product categories. - Canada - Good Food Organization (Community Food Centres Canada)
Organizations in community food security across Canada.
Food & Grocery
- Quebec Food Processing Companies (ICRIQ)
Searchable listings - companies in food manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors in Quebec. - Canadian Food & Grocery Directory (Contact Canada)
Company listings in both Canada and USA, searchable by location and category. - Canada Foodservice Companies (Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine)
Searchable listings - Manufacturers and suppliers of foodservice products and services in Canada & the USA. - Natural Health Products Canada Directory (Contact Canada)
Company listings in both Canada and USA, searchable by location and category. - Canadian Health Food Retailers (CHFA)
Searchable listings: Natural health products, food/beverage, organic foods & products, and more.
Health Centres, Foodservice and Nursing Care Facilities
- Canadian Community Health Centres (Canadian Association of Community Health Centres)
A list of community health centres across Canada. - Diabetes Teaching Centres (Diabetes Quebec)
A list of diabetes teaching centres in Quebec. - Food Tank Lists (Food Tank)
Foodservice companies across Canada. - Nursing and Community Care Facilities (Emploi Quebec Business Directory)
A list of health nursing and residential care facilities in Montreal. - Quebec Health Regions
A list of health community centres, CSSS, CLSCs in Quebec.