Ron's Kitchen

08/01/2026

Ron Wigington is a chef and food‑safety expert based in Leduc, Alberta, with Experience in travel and international foundations, with almost 35 years of experience across restaurants, catering, and large‑scale food manufacturing. He began his culinary career in the early 1990s, working in kitchens across Western Canada before formally training at Vancouver Community College.

Ron became a recognized Process Authority in sous vide and reduced‑oxygen packaging, helping to open Canada’s first large‑scale sous vide manufacturing facility in North Edmonton and working closely with provincial food scientists and engineers on HACCP implementation. He later served as a QA Technician and Process Authority at Etuve Food, contributing to custom cookers, monitoring technology, and paperless reporting systems for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Today, Ron is a director and operations lead at iQKitchen Inc. and GoHACCP With Experts, where he helps restaurants, manufacturers, and warehouses design and implement HACCP plans, food‑safety management systems, and compliance strategies for FDA, USDA, and GFSI standards. He is also the founder of A Chef Next Door, providing specialized meal prep for seniors and people with specific dietary needs, and the face behind “Ron’s Kitchen” on social media.

Send a message to learn more

03/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FaGDAeKJS/

Congratulations to Jonathan Blackford and the team at Argyle Restaurant! 🥂✨

We’re thrilled to have developed a specialized HACCP program to support their incredible culinary artistry. By securing official approvals for advanced processes like Sous Vide, Curing, and Dry-Aging, Argyle can now push the boundaries of flavor with 100% regulatory confidence in Florida. 🥩🔥

Ready to take your menu to the next level? Let’s get your specialized approvals in place.

Contact us for a tailored plan:
🌐 www.gohaccp.com 📧 [email protected] 📞 1-877-464-2227

03/11/2026

Who knew they were growing strawberry flavoured GOLF BALLS!!!

03/10/2026

PSA Post — Shrinkflation

I don't write blogs, like ever, but I feel there is much to be discussed and would like to through into the ring. Shrinkflation is hitting Canadians harder than ever, and I felt this is something people who follow me should know. Food companies are 'not so' quietly reducing package sizes while keeping prices the same — meaning you’re paying the same amount for less product.

As a man who had to raise his two children on a single income for the past 15 years, this topic hits home for me. I know exactly what it feels like to stretch every dollar, compare every price, and make sure nothing goes to waste. Families in the same situation today deserve every bit of information that can help them protect their budget. I hope this PSA helps you shop smarter and avoid getting caught off guard.

CBC recently covered how widespread this has become in Canada. Here’s the article if you want to read more:
https://shorturl.at/SEZjA

What to look for when shopping:

- Compare the weight or volume, not the package size
- Watch for “new look, same great taste” — often a sign of reduced quantity
- Check unit pricing (price per 100 g or per mL)
- Keep an eye on products that frequently shrink: chips, cereal, cookies, yogurt, ice cream
- Track your regular items — if something feels lighter, it probably is
- Don’t rely on memory: take photos of old labels for comparison
- Store brands sometimes shrink later than name brands, but not always

Additional tips to protect your wallet:

- Track your grocery spending weekly or bi‑weekly so you can spot sudden changes
- Use a notes app to keep a list of “normal prices” for your most‑bought items
- Compare across stores — some chains shrink products earlier than others
- Consider switching to items sold by weight (bulk, deli, produce) where shrinkflation is harder to hide
- Watch for “family size” or “value size” labels — these often shrink first
- If you shop online, check the product history; some retailers show past weights
- When possible, buy staples in larger formats that tend to shrink less frequently
- If a product suddenly feels like a worse deal, it probably is — trust your instincts

Feel free to leave your thoughts and any other tips and trick you may have already done that may help others!

I’ll be posting a second PSA on skimpflation soon, which in my opinion is even worse than shrinkflation.

03/10/2026

TEST TEST - let me know if you can see this!!

Send a message to learn more

03/10/2026

PSA Post — Shrinkflation!!

Shrinkflation is hitting Canadians harder than ever, and I felt this is something people who follow me should know. Companies are quietly reducing package sizes while keeping prices the same — meaning you’re paying the same amount for less product.

As a man who had to raise his two children on a single income for the past 15 years (and somewhat even today), this topic hits home for me. I know exactly what it feels like to stretch every dollar, compare every price, and make sure nothing goes to waste. Families in the same situation today deserve every bit of information that can help them protect their budget. I hope this PSA helps you shop smarter and avoid getting caught off guard.

What to look for when shopping:
- Compare the weight or volume, not the package size
- Watch for “new look, same great taste” — often a sign of reduced quantity
- Check unit pricing (price per 100 g or per mL)
- Keep an eye on products that frequently shrink: chips, cereal, cookies, yogurt, ice cream
- Track your regular items — if something feels lighter, it probably is
- Don’t rely on memory: take photos of old labels for comparison
- Store brands sometimes shrink later than name brands, but not always

Additional tips to protect your wallet:
- Track your grocery spending weekly or bi‑weekly so you can spot sudden changes
- Use a notes app to keep a list of “normal prices” for your most‑bought items
- Compare across stores — some chains shrink products earlier than others
- Consider switching to items sold by weight (bulk, deli, produce) where shrinkflation is harder to hide
- Watch for “family size” or “value size” labels — these often shrink first
- If you shop online, check the product history; some retailers show past weights
- When possible, buy staples in larger formats that tend to shrink less frequently
- If a product suddenly feels like a worse deal, it probably is — trust your instincts

I’ll be posting a second PSA on skimpflation soon, which in my opinion is even worse than shrinkflation.

03/10/2026

Shrinkflation vs Skimpflation ~ What you should know

Shrinkflation and skimpflation are two ways companies give you less value without changing the price. Both driving up the cost of goods, in its own way.

Shrinkflation :
means the product gets smaller, but the price stays the same. For example, a bag of chips that used to be 12 ounces is now only 10 ounces. You pay the same, but you get less. A well‑known example is when Frito‑Lay reduced the size of Doritos bags while keeping the price the same.

Skimpflation:
means the quality gets worse, but the price stays the same. This can happen when companies use cheaper ingredients, remove features, or cut back on service. For example, a chocolate bar might use lower‑quality cocoa, or a hotel might reduce housekeeping. A example is when some grocery store bakery items switched to cheaper oils and fillers instead of butter, even though the price stayed the same.

https://www.npr.org/sections/planet-money/2026/03/03/g-s1-111940/the-candy-heir-vs-chocolate-skimpflation

The difference is simple. Shrinkflation is about quantity. Skimpflation is about quality. Shrinkflation is often harder to notice because the package looks the same. Skimpflation is easier to notice because the product or service feels worse.

Both shrinkflation and skimpflation mean you get less value for your money. Knowing the difference helps you understand what is happening when prices seem the same but the product feels different.

So, what should you do?

How to Recognize Shrinkflation

- Check the net weight or volume on the package. A product that used to be 454 g may now be 400 g.
- Look at the unit price on the store shelf label. This reveals the true cost per 100 g, per litre, etc.
- Watch for packaging redesigns. “New look, same great taste” often accompanies size reductions.
- Compare package dimensions. Boxes may be taller but thinner, or bags may contain more air.
- Count the items inside. Snack bars, cookies, tissues, and similar products often quietly reduce their count.

How to Recognize Skimpflation

- Notice changes in taste or texture. Cheaper oils, fillers, or reduced key ingredients can alter the product.
- Compare ingredient lists. Look for substitutions such as butter replaced with palm oil or real fruit replaced with “natural flavour.”
- Evaluate the product’s performance. Paper towels may be thinner, garbage bags may tear more easily, or cookies may be smaller or less flavorful.
- Pay attention to service‑based products. In restaurants, hotels, or airlines, skimpflation may appear as slower service, fewer staff, or reduced amenities.

GOOD LUCK AND FEEL FREE TO ASK ME ANYTHING AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER :)

03/08/2026