On April 17, 1988, Brian Y. Davidson z”l received recognition during the Scopus Award Dinner in Toronto, Canada – a most esteemed honour given by the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University.
He was recognized for his dynamic and innovative leadership in the Canadian food industry and beyond, and for his oversight of National procurement for Loblaw Companies between 1975 and 1992 as Chairman of the Board of Intersave Buying and Merchandising and Vice-President, Loblaw Companies.
The event raised $2 million CDN, and the funds were allocated to establish the Brian Y. Davidson Center for Agribusiness at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
The Centre focused on research and educational initiatives related to agriculture and business, encompassing areas like marketing, agricultural economics, organizational theory, and business policy. Opening in October, 1988, it emphasized the symbiotic relationship between academia and Israel’s agricultural industry. It gained prominence for its practical approach and study groups dedicated to agricultural export and marketing pipelines for Israeli agricultural goods. Brian, his family, and a delegation of twelve prominent figures from the Canadian food industry travelled to Hebrew University to dedicate the centre. Brian was a staunch Zionist and spent a year on Kibbutz Geva during his teenage years.
In 2023, as a response to the evolving global food challenges and shifts in the industry, the Davidson children, Miriam, Toby, and Michael, generously and strategically reallocated these funds to help establish the new Center for Sustainable Food Systems (FOOJI) within the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the University Rehovot campus.
This newly established center places a premium on ensuring food security, and it addresses the environmental impact of food production and consumption.
In fulfilling its mission, it works with prominent industry, public, and nonprofit entities, as well as academic institutions. The objective is to expedite research and innovation in the pursuit of sustainable food systems. Considering Brian’s innovative contributions to the food tech sector, this new centre is undoubtedly a project that would have filled him with pride.
Brian began working in the food sector when he was 12 years old and filled many roles until his untimely death at the age of 58. He played a pivotal role in creating enduring brands like PRESIDENT’S CHOICE® and NO NAME®, both of which are still prevalent on Canadian grocery store shelves. His legacy is rooted in the concept of “meaningful differentiation”- a relevant way of standing out from the crowd and achieving what his competitors could not – a term he famously coined. Brian’s visionary approach to Canada’s food industry has left an enduring impact that serves as inspiration for contemporary innovation.
Above all, Brian cherished his family. He shared a partnership with his wife Thelma for 34 years, and together with their three children, they revelled in the joys of family life. The establishment of this new center stands as a perpetual testament to his influence — one that the family will continue to commemorate in honour of this transformative figure in the history of the Canadian food industry.
