Families with higher carbon footprints are likely to consume more confectionary, alcohol, and restaurant food, according to a new study by Japanese and European researchers published in One Earth. Considering the spectrum of traditional to urban lifestyles across Japan, associate professor Keiichiro Kanemoto of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature in Kyoto, Japan, and […] Read more
Tag Archives sustainability — page 10
Sweets, alcohol, not meat common to high carbon households
Science notes: Frequency of restaurant meals were also influential in Japanese study
Building the Canada brand
Better information, more diverse opinions and more flexible policy are key to gaining global advantage: report
There are three critical priorities for Canada to achieve a national food brand that’s built on food safety, trust and sustainability, says Canada 2020. The think tank recently released the results of a process that involved talking to 600 agriculture sector stakeholders about what was needed, said David McInnes, a senior fellow with Canada 2020. […] Read more
Taking the sustainability discussion to the city
An event in Toronto’s centre emphasized the complexity of farm ecosystems
Farm and Food Care has taken urban dieticians and food influencers out to farms across the province with its annual bus tours. The organization recently went the other direction to the centre of the city, hosting an agriculture sustainability discussion at the Royal Ontario Museum that challenged conventional urban wisdom about beef production. Why it […] Read more
Sustainable agriculture organization expands to Canada
Field to Market brings together nearly 140 member organizations
Field to Market, an organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture, recently announced its expansion into Canada. Stakeholders have access to a streamlined approach to conduct continuous improvement projects, strengthening the ability for companies to meet their sustainable sourcing objectives and science-based targets. Field to Market brings together nearly 140 member organizations. It has developed a science-driven […] Read more
Smithfield looks through whole supply chain to limit carbon impact
Manure remains the largest impact on carbon for the worldwide swine production company
Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest producer and processor of hogs, has a significant plan to reduce carbon emissions from its operations. The company has set a goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2025 in its United States operations. Why it matters: Farmers are increasingly under pressure to reduce carbon emissions. […] Read more
Editorial: Exporting agriculture’s productivity miracle
Global productivity in agriculture production continues to grow healthily, but not yet fast enough to feed the expected 10 billion people on the planet by 2050. That’s according to the 2019 Global Agriculture Productivity (GAP) Report, recently released by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The report says that agriculture productivity is increasing […] Read more
McDonald’s reiterates beef support during Beyond Meat test-drive
The world’s biggest burger chain has aimed to reassure Canadian beef producers that its trial run of a plant-based burger doesn’t mark a retreat from the company’s primary protein. McDonald’s CEO John Betts, in a statement issued Friday directly to “our valued partners in the beef industry,” said he wants beef producers “to hear from […] Read more
Can sustainable agriculture practices offer a direct line to Europe?
Sustainability programs offer assurance to European buyers, but they can mean more work for producers
Mention the word “certification” to farmers and all they hear is “more paperwork.” But Grain Farmers of Ontario says such programs really spell improved market access. In fact, they will be critical to reaching important markets, such as the European Union. The good news is sustainability programs have already been enjoying some success in Canada. […] Read more
General Mills project could set standard for farm-level regulations
The company aims to influence a million acres of farmland by 2030
Large food companies are increasingly worried about the broad impact they have on the environment. Now their programs are reaching down to the farm level, although those influences are mostly in early stages. American farmers are at the vanguard of this trend, with companies like General Mills aiming to influence a million acres by 2030. Why […] Read more
Stoking conflict between farming and conservation hurts everyone
Agriculture businesses and the environment both need to be sustainable
Canada’s future prosperity will depend on effective environmental conservation and sustainable — and profitable — agriculture. Unfortunately, recent comments from former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall pit the two concerns against each other unnecessarily. Agriculture and the environment are not mutually exclusive, and polarization of the issues only undermines progress toward successful and sustainable solutions. A […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
