Dan Gardner, a New York Times best-selling author, explained at a recent food integrity forum that knowing how the human brain works when analyzing risk can be used to open conversations between producers and consumers. He told those attending the 2019 Canadian Centre for Food Integrity Food System Forum Series, that the consumer is becoming […] Read more
Tag Archives food safety
How our brains analyze risk may help to open conversation to consumers
Language and method of delivery matter in the ability to overcome emotional responses
Who should be trusted when it comes to the science of food safety?
The eating habits of consumers are changing and pop culture may be a big reason
Consumers are changing their eating habits, sometimes sparked by health restrictions and ethical reasoning, but misinformation is presenting farmers with their biggest struggle, said a University of Alberta professor. Dr. Timothy Caulfield told the crowd at the recent Canadian Centre for Food Integrity Food System Forum Series, that there is a breakdown in trust happening […] Read more
Why won’t consumers listen?
Farmers have been trying to engage consumers for years — yet the work has had little impact
It happens at farm meetings across Canada. Speakers use words like “engagement” and then talk about how farmers can use Twitter and Facebook to influence people. This has been happening for years at agricultural conferences across Canada. Because of all those presentations, thousands of producers now use social media to connect with consumers and explain […] Read more
Ontario farmers make first blockchain system corn sale
An Ontario startup company facilitated the trade of high-DON corn
Some Ontario farmers have used a new grain sales system to sell some of their corn high in DON. Prince Edward County farmers Larry Reynolds and Lloyd Crowe used the Grain Discovery platform to find a new local buyer, confirm the trade and receive payment instantly. Grain Discovery says this is the first corn trade […] Read more
Public trust in agriculture declines
A yearly study found that trust declined for the first time in several years
Consumers are taking a dimmer view of the Canadian food system, according to an organization set up to improve the perceptions of Canada’s food industry. The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity found in a large-scale study of adult Canadians, that 36 per cent of consumers felt the food system was headed in the right direction, […] Read more
Sorting through science and food messaging
The challenges agriculture has in the acceptance of new technology by the public is a function of resistance to change
In many ways this is the best time in history for the production and safety of food. There are fewer greenhouse gases produced per bushel of corn, with significantly less erosion and half the water of 30 years ago, says Jack Bobo, vice-president of global policy and government affairs for Intrexon, the company that owns […] Read more
Most teens need food safety education
Study finds that 50 per cent of students lack basic food handling knowledge
A new study carried out at the University of Waterloo illustrates the need to better teach youth how to properly handle food. The study measured 32 food-handling behaviours among Ontario high school students in Grades 10 to 12. It found students carried out fewer than 50 per cent of the recommended practices, including basic hand […] Read more
The details on CAP
Details are now available for the first intake of the new federal-provincial program, which closes May 8
With maximum funding ranging between $25,000 and $35,000 per project, aspects of manure and nutrient management and livestock handling and housing represent key areas of focus for government support in the recently-released Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) suite of programs. Also on offer is a maximum of $75,000 for either livestock or food crop producers for […] Read more
Public input sought on sustainable beef indicators
Ranchers, consumers and others who have thoughts on how beef and its cattle should be sustainably produced in Canada are asked to speak up again, this time by early November at the latest. The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB), in the midst of developing a Verified Sustainable Beef Framework, has released its new draft […] Read more
Federal government extends food policy discussions
Citing a strong response from across the country, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay has extended the public consultations on a national food policy until Aug. 31. “Canadians’ responses to our online survey show they truly care about food issues. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the extended comment period, and I look forward […] Read more