My daughter and grandson share the same birthday, August 7. They’re part of a pork-and-grain farming operation near Thamesville. At their birthday celebration on the weekend, our family barbequed pork sausage from their farm on the campfire. There was no reason to doubt the quality of the sausage. We trust the meat packers in nearby… Read more »
Category: Food
Websites highlight Canadian farmers’ food products
Canada has a reputation for producing superb food ingredients…then shipping them abroad to be processing into finished goods, which we buy back at a higher cost. We further lose their added value because the processing and manufacturing jobs that are part of creating finished goods are part of someone else’s economy, not ours. Apologies if… Read more »
Poll: Is McDonald’s really a restaurant?
When someone suggests going to a restaurant to eat, does the well-known ________ chain with the golden arches come to mind? McDonald’s has certainly tried to enhance its image well beyond being a source for quick, cheap (and delicious) calories in recent years, upgrading its buildings with TVs, lounge areas, and other aesthetics to improve… Read more »
National food policy survey deadline pushed back to August 31
The federal government has issued an extension for sharing views on what Canada’s first national food policy should look like. The online survey and comment period, which was originally slated to end on July 27, has been extended to August 31. (Find the survey here.) “A strong response from across the country has prompted Agriculture… Read more »
Canadian food prices still dropping, while spending is up
Food prices in Canadian stores have declined for nine consecutive months, dating back to last September, as measured by Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index. While the rate of depreciation has slowed since January, Kevin Grier, market analyst and author of the Grocery Trade Review, explains there are two main factors putting downward pressure on the… Read more »
Demand for rye whisky and new hybrids create opportunity for growers
When it comes to whisky, Canada is a little different. Whisky ingredients, brewing, distilling and aging rules are steeped in tradition in many countries, but Canadian whisky makers like Windsor, Ontario-based Hiram Walker & Sons Limited have very few restrictions. Canada is the most flexible and innovative whisky production market in the world, explains Hiram… Read more »
Food Fear: A call for action
This editorial was written by Brenna Mahoney, director of communications and stakeholder relations for Cereals Canada. As I scrolled through my Facebook this morning, I came across a treasure trove of misinformation and fearmongering. Some of my friends writing in the comments how they agree that our food system is a big conspiracy and we… Read more »
Canola Eat Well celebrates Canada’s 150th birthday
“Canola is a great Canadian product. We are celebrating it!” This year marks Canada’s 150th anniversary, and at Manitoba’s CanolaPalooza, it was echoed throughout the day that canola has been an important part of Canadian agricultural history. “You are celebrating Canadian food and farmers when you buy canola products, and that’s 43,000 farmers across Canada,”… Read more »
If anyone can make online grocery sales work, it’s Amazon
Last last week Amazon made a 13.7 billion USD bid for organic upscale retailer Whole Foods. The announcement sent competing grocer stocks reeling with the potential that Amazon-type competition could create major struggles for Kroger, Walmart and Costco in the long term. Financial market commentator Jim Cramer, stated on CNBC that “this is a game changer…..you cannot… Read more »
Ontario fruit and vegetable growers say minimum wage hike would devastate industry
The Ontario Liberal government’s plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2019 is drawing fire from the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). In late May, the provincial government announced intentions to increase the minimum wage from the current $11.40 per hour rate. That’s a significant blow for an industry… Read more »
Fight for GMOs hits the big screen in ‘Food Evolution’
It’s easier to scare people than reassure them. That’s how environmental activist Mark Lynas frames the debate around the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs have their supporters and their detractors, all fighting for or against the technology, and in the middle is a very confused and distrusting public. That’s the narrative director Scott… Read more »
Five reasons you should complete the national food policy survey
Producers need to make their voices heard now, as Ottawa proceeds with public consultations about the first-of-its-kind national food policy. Ottawa says a food policy is a way to address issues related to the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of food. It says such a policy “will set a long-term vision for the health, environmental,… Read more »
Ontario’s new minimum wage could weigh heavy on agri-food industry
Ontario’s minimum wage is set to climb to $15 per hour by 2019 and that could have a significant impact on agriculture in the province. Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Keith Currie says labour intensive sectors such as horticulture and greenhouse operations will likely suffer the greatest impact from the Liberal government’s announcement this week… Read more »
Details to be determined on national food policy, says Ag Minister MacAulay
The federal government is moving toward establishing a national food policy that will revolve around four “pillars,” but details on what it will look like beyond that have yet to be determined, according to Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. The minister launched consultations, including an online survey, on establishing a national food policy in a speech… Read more »
Should politicians talk agriculture on the urban campaign trail?
City dwellers may not have much connection to the farm these days but there’s growing evidence that they value the agri-food industry’s ability to produce high-quality, safe food and create jobs. That’s the conclusion of an opinion poll commissioned by Grassroots Public Affairs. The survey of 676 residents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) indicates… Read more »