Dental and health care suffer | Outreach program supports food self sufficiency through farmer organizations
TORONTO — The failure of the Canadian food system in remote, northern and aboriginal communities is well documented. The current south-to-north delivery of food is expensive and the calories that are delivered are often not in the form of healthy choices. Obesity, diabetes and dental ailments are common. “The status quo could not be more […] Read moreStories by Jeffrey Carter
Food strategy goals include innovation
Niche opportunities | Consumer demand for novel, nutritious food will spur food industry
Canada needs to look both within and outside its borders to develop its food industry, says the Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Food Strategy. The strategy emphasizes the expansion of national initiatives to improve global competitiveness and increase exports. However, it also acknowledges the growing demand for local food and its importance to small and […] Read moreFood has cultural, religious connections
TORONTO — The question of whether food is sacred may have seemed out of place at a gathering focused largely on trade and industry efficiency. Still, it was not difficult to receive considered responses at the Canadian Food Summit held in Toronto March 18-19. Michael Bloom of the Conference Board of Canada seemed puzzled at […] Read more
Collaboration key to agrifood future
Industry, government and farmers must connect
TORONTO — Government involvement is important if a national food strategy is to be implemented, said an international panel at the Canadian Food Summit March 18. However, industry, including primary producers, needs to be the main driver. “Your strategy has to connect to the primary industry,” said James Withers, chief executive officer of Scotland Food […] Read more
Conference board unveils national food strategy
Prosperity, food safety and security are priorities | Plan calls for an end to supply management
TORONTO — The Conference Board of Canada’s contribution to national food strategies isn’t the first to be released, but it is likely the most comprehensive. Neil Currie, who co-chaired the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s contribution to food sector collaboration in Canada, said the conference board and the CFA began developing their strategies in 2010. The […] Read moreDairy sector urged to embrace exports
Supply management alternative | However, an academic says exports could increase even under supply management
TORONTO — Low-cost, grass-based milk production can fill only so much of the world’s future demand for dairy products. That leaves the door open to Canada. “We expect demand to increase and we expect prices to increase as demand outstrips supply,” Sarah Ireland, first secretary and head of the trade section with the New Zealand […] Read moreBio-economy boosters seek support
Canada’s bio-economy is anchored on grain ethanol production, but more needs to be done to move the industry forward. W. Scott Thurlow, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, said the government should increase the renewable fuel content standard for diesel to two from five percent. “One reason we’re pushing for five percent renewable diesel […] Read more
Project to see farmers fuel up with methane
LONDON, Ont. — A bio-methane facility planned for Woodstock, Ont., will generate both electricity and fuel. The project is to begin this year with the construction of a compressed natural gas fueling station, said Murray Logan, project manager with Faromor Energy Solution. The next step is to build an anaerobic digestion system at a nearby […] Read more
Producer stewardship spurs Ontario grass-fed beef sales
TORONTO — An Ottawa Valley cattle producer says his approach to grass-fed production is a main reason for the popularity of his beef. Even a handful of vegetarians have taken a taste. “Why a lot of people started to buy from us was not so much about the beef. It was about our environmental stewardship,” […] Read more
Soil packed with organic matter key to quality forage
TORONTO — Soil is the most important ingredient that goes into producing well-marbled, pastured-finished beef, says a cattle consultant from Mississippi. “It all starts there,” Allen Williams told the Carving Our Niche conference in Toronto Feb. 24. “I didn’t used to think that. I used to look at forage above ground and pour a lot […] Read more
