A survey conducted last year by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity found that only three in 10 Canadians believe the food system is on the right track. Photo: File

Public trust in Canadian food system at a low

Research organization says more needs to be done by the agriculture industry to engage consumers and gain influence

The Canadian food system's reputation has taken a significant hit in the last couple years, said Ashely Bruner of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) during a recent webinar.



Photo: SDI Productions/iStock/Getty Images Plus

National school food program announced

Federal government says program aims to start with 2024/25 school year

The federal government plans to spend over $1 billion over five years on a national school food program that will feed an additional 400,000 school-aged children a year.

Scenic autumn view of the rural landscape, orchards, vineyards, and wineries of Oliver located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Photo: laughingmango/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Local food system would reap big economic benefits researcher says

B.C. researchers found that the Okanagan could produce two thirds of its own food while maintaining exports

Assuming an average Canadian diet, the Okanagan can currently produce 88 per cent of its dairy needs, Mullinix and colleagues wrote in a report on the study. It can produce 60 per cent of its poultry needs, 34 per cent of its fruit needs (due to fruits eaten that can’t be grown in the region, or are eaten out of season), and small amounts of other food groups like grains, red meat, eggs and oils.


(Stephen Ausmus photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

New report shows poultry sector burdened by expectations

Simpson Centre paper calls for increased research, financial sustainability for sector

Updated, May 17 — The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy has released a report detailing its findings on challenges now facing Canada’s poultry sector. The report, co-authored by research assistant Shawn Wiskar and centre director Guillaume Lhermie and released Thursday, used a focus group of six stakeholders in the Canadian poultry industry. It […] Read more

University of Guelph professor Evan Fraser, shown here in cartoon form discussing food security initiative “Feeding 9 Billion,” has been named co-chair of the new Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council. (Feeding9Billion.com video screengrab via YouTube)

Advisory council named to steer national Food Policy

Development of Canada’s Food Policy is taking a major step forward with the naming Friday of a new advisory council featuring industry, academic and government members tasked with guiding the policy. Public consultations on a “Food Policy for Canada” started in 2017, leading to the release of a 2018 report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada […] Read more

Canadian farms are facing large structural changes in global agriculture.

Agriculture policy overhaul needed: report

COVID-19 has exposed significant challenges, needed changes

Glacier FarmMedia – Drastic changes to markets, labour conditions and public perceptions are driving a need for new agri-food policies, according to a report from industry experts. Agri-Food Economic Systems’ latest policy note identified 10 pressures on the industry, each one varying in “magnitude, significance, urgency and permanence.” The report cited massive losses in food […] Read more


Logistics prove to be a bigger challenge than food supply in terms of resilience, says a report.

New report identifies challenges of COVID-19

Supply isn’t a concern, but processing and moving food have proved to be a challenge

Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute has identified short- and long-term issues affecting the food system’s resilience. Why it matters: By identifying key obstacles affecting food production and distribution systems, government and industry can draw up action plans to meet the challenges. In a report resulting from discussion with 40 stakeholders, the Ottawa-based […] Read more

Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Parliamentary Ag Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant, at right, visited the Carrefour Alimentaire Centre-Sud in Montreal on June 17, 2019 to formally launch the federal Food Policy for Canada. (Photo courtesy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

Federal food policy aims to lift local and Canadian-grown products

Federal programs to boost the profile of domestic and locally grown foods at home while reducing food waste, food insecurity and deceptive food marketing are all up for funding under the government’s new Food Policy for Canada. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Parliamentary Ag Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant announced the new policy Monday in Montreal, following […] Read more