Food for Thought Newsletter

Brought to you by Canadian Federation of Agriculture, representing over 190,000 farmers and farm families across Canada
An update from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

Welcome to the Food for Thought newsletter!

As part of our Food for Thought campaign, you signed up to receive further emails and updates on Canadian farmers and agriculture.

This is our 6th issue, giving an update on some serious issues such as food insecurity in Canada.

We also have some great educational pieces around sustainability, such as the seven techologies that will drive Canada's green revolution and the circular economy on egg farms in Canada.
Is Canada Ready for the Future of Food Security?
Credit: PROOF study on Household Food Insecurity in Canada, 2021
The pandemic caused a simultaneous, worldwide disruption of supply chains, exposing a number of potential vulnerabilities in Canada's domestic food supply system. Farmers who had relied for generations on foreign labour for seasonal work were unsure whether they could access the workforce they had relied on for years, if not decades. Meat processing had become centralized to the point that a single facility shutting down reduced the country's beef processing capacity by a third, creating huge disruptions throughout the rest of the food supply chain.
 
Adding onto these stressors, the war in Ukraine has caused further strain, and consumers around the world are seeing energy and food prices rise at a pace that has not been seen in over 40 years. A natural consequence of these factors will be an increase in food insecurity, something that was already occurring during the pandemic, with surveys finding half of all Canadians were finding it difficult or very difficult to feed their families.
 
While this may paint a bleak picture, there is a starker reality here: All of these disruptions and their consequences are but a small glimpse of the kinds of effects climate change could have in the future. If Canada is not preparing itself today to meet that future head-on, then we will have difficulty weathering the coming storms.
Canadian Agriculture in 2022

The Transformative Seven: Technologies that can drive Canada's green revolution | How circular economy thinking is making egg farms even more sustainable | Manitoba's Full Plate Story | Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing | Canadian Canola Farmers | Choose Canadian Dairy This Holiday Season | Delicious recipes!
The Transformative Seven: 
Technologies that can drive Canada's next green revolution

A new generation of agricultural technologies could help cut potential 2050 emissions from Canada’s agriculture sector by up to 40%.

Seven specific technologies hold exceptional power to kickstart the country’s transformation to a low carbon agricultural producer, but Canada’s share of global investment in these technologies is insufficient. Most agricultural R&D funding continues to be drawn overwhelmingly from the public sector.

Producers, particularly those with small and medium-sized businesses, also face a number of key challenges in adopting these technologies (including cost and infrastructure).

By leaning on its existing strengths, Canada can become a leader in developing emerging ag-techs that will define the future of global food systems.
How circular economy thinking is making egg farms even more sustainable

A circular economy is one where resources are reused, repurposed or recycled rather than discarded. This produces significant social, economic and environmental benefits. While this concept is rapidly gaining interest in global sustainability circles, how does this way of thinking apply to egg farming?

Learn more about this first-of-its-kind study led by Egg Farmers of Canada which developed a way to measure the circular economy on Canadian egg farms, and outlines steps farmers can take to improve their farm’s circular economy.
Manitoba's Full Plate Story 

This full plate story ties together producers from all corners of the province, whether it be Swan River, Brandon, La Broquerie, Winkler, Selkirk, and everywhere in between. Many Manitoba producers grow multiple types of crops, as well as many who raise livestock or have dairy cows in addition to their crop operations. They are aware of the importance of every component of the agricultural sector and recognize the diversity of products we have to offer. 
 
Verwey Farms in Portage la Prairie is an example of Manitoba farmers’ diversity of products they have to offer. This multi-generational mixed farm is operated by Verwey family, including many of their children, near Portage la Prairie. Their 6000-acre farm includes wheat, canola, soybeans, corn, barley, oats, and alfalfa production, as well as a Charolais beef herd and a dairy operation.
The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing: A Hub for Mental Health in Canadian Farming

Farming is a difficult and unpredictable lifestyle, that inherently comes with a variety of factors that have negative impacts on mental health.

A lack of control from erratic weather, isolation due to the rural nature of the work, an inability to take time off sick from your crops and animals. Farming is a 24/7 lifestyle that can be extremely stressful, and research from the University of Guelph has found that farmer mental health is worse than that of the general population in almost every way.

That’s why it’s so important that the newly announced Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW) is being developed. The CCAW is a national hub for research, program development, policy, extension, and engagement around mental health in Canadian farming.
Reasons to Love Canadian Canola Oil

There are so many reasons to love using Canada’s cooking oil, canola, and to make it your choice in the kitchen. Here are our top 5 reasons to love canola oil:

1.     Proudly Canadian
2.     Better Value for Health 
3.     Affordability
4.     Unmatched Versatility
5.     It can take the Heat
Growing the Best for YOU! - A Message from Canada's 43,000 canola farmers

For decades, Canadian canola farmers have been producing nutritious, plentiful and affordable ingredients for your family to enjoy while respecting the environment and land they live and work on. Canada’s canola farmers want Canadians to know how they embrace the best that science and innovation have to offer to protect the environment and care for their crops.
Choose Canadian dairy this holiday season - The local, high-quality dairy on your fork starts on the farm

It’s one of the busiest grocery-buying times of the year, and Dairy Farmers of Canada wants to remind foodies everywhere that great recipes start with the high standards of Canadian dairy farmers.

So #ChooseCanadian this season – because our dairy farmers meet some of the most stringent standards in the world on things like milk quality, sustainability and animal care. And the best way to ensure your favourite treats are made with 100% Canadian dairy is to look for the Blue Cow quality milk logo! 

Want to know more about why you should #ChooseCanadian dairy this holiday season? 
Enjoy some great recipes with delicious Canadian ingredients below!
Skillet Mushroom Lasagna

This mushroom lasagna is the perfect meal for cold weather, and the skillet style cuts down on the dishes! Click below for this delicious recipe.

Recipe by Sweetsugarbean for Mushrooms Canada
Slow Cooker Chicken Paella

This flavourful paella loaded with chicken, chorizo and shrimp comes together easily while your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
Truffle Mac and Cheese

There is nowhere to hide in a mac & cheese. The ingredients truly speak for themselves with dairy being the star. With such a simple recipe, the only way to truly elevate it is by using high quality ingredients. In this case, we are using fresh 100% Canadian dairy products and tantalising truffles to turn an ordinary mac & cheese into a deliciously rich and decadent dish. It's also important that we use sustainably-sourced ingredients so that our love of classic dairy dishes, like mac & cheese, can continue to be shared with future generations to come!