Canada has its first food policy, an initiative to increase access to safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food, and to cut food waste.
Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food and parliamentary secretary, Jean-Claude Poissant made the announcement Monday in Montreal.
“The Food Policy for Canada is our road map for a healthier and more sustainable food system for our country,” said Bibeau in a release. “The investments and initiatives in the food policy will contribute to economic growth, better nutrition and food security for all Canadians.”
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The policy is the product of consultation and collaboration with Canadians across the country, the release said, and was created in consultation with food producers and processors, environmental experts and Indigenous groups, among others.
The Liberal government promised more than $134 million toward projects under the policy, including $50 million toward a “Local Food Infrastructure Fund,” and $15 million to support projects in isolated northern communities to increase access to healthy food.
Other announced initiatives included campaigns against food waste, and to promote buying Canadian agricultural products.
The policy will include the creation of a Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council, which will “bring together the expertise and diversity needed beyond government to address the challenges of today, as well as the future of Canada’s food system,” the release said.
Creation of the council will begin this summer. — Manitoba Co-operator/Glacier FarmMedia Network
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