Although rising food costs and the abhorrent invasion of Ukraine continue to capture the majority of headlines throughout the news week, it’s comforting to know that you can always count on Canadians to produce at least some good from the bad.
From Canada’s unique position to mitigate the loss of Russia and Ukraine’s global wheat production to a new hope for the end of the P.E.I. potato saga, to the world’s fastest-growing anti-waste app launching in Calgary, here are five food stories you might have missed this week.
Canadian wheat production poised to ramp up
Between pandemic-fuelled price increases and Russia’s unprovoked and inhumane invasion of Ukraine, experts suggest that world hunger will likely soon reach unprecedented levels.
According to recent estimates, Ukraine and Russia accounted for roughly 26 per cent of the world’s wheat production in 2021, however, experts believe Canada is in a unique global position to fill some of the gap by ramping up production this spring.
Find the full story at CBC News.
Supersized goldfish threaten Canadian waterways
Ever wonder what happens to pet goldfish when they end up in our waterways? This one was pulled from Hamilton Harbour, where we’re studying this #InvasiveSpecies using acoustic transmitter tags. pic.twitter.com/GFCsBcIadV
— Fisheries and Oceans (@FishOceansCAN) November 30, 2021
An East Asian goldfish species has been the cause for a great deal of concern in Ontario as of late after a number of supersized goldfish were recently found in the Hamilton Harbour as well as several stormwater ponds throughout the province.
The invasive goldfish are considered “intermediate growers”, which means they can continue to grow throughout their lifetime and are capable of growing exceptionally large in the right conditions. As a result, the goldfish have a competitive advantage over native species, which experts believe could be a severe threat to fish local populations.
Find out more from Euro News.
Continental U.S. expected to lift PEI potato ban with some conditions
The P.E.I. potato saga may soon be coming to an end according to a recent release from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services.
Although the continuation of potato exports will come with some conditions, the P.E.I. Potato Board has stated that the announcement is “the first positive news a lot of growers have heard for a long while.”
Get the full breakdown from CBC News.
International food waste app launches in Calgary
After making its Canadian debut last summer in Toronto, international anti-waste app Too Good To Go has been gradually expanding westwardly, with its fifth and most recent launch coming out of Calgary.
The app, which connects businesses that have end-of-day surpluses with consumers to offer affordable prices, has already secured several reputable Calgary partners, including the Teatro Group, Lena’s Italian Market, and Chunk’d Cookies.
Head to the Calgary Herald for more.
Dad’s cookie brand quietly halts production on Goodie Rings
Dad’s Cookie Company’s iconic Goodie Rings have mysteriously vanished from grocery and convenience stores across Canada without any explanation as to why, when, or whether or not the company ever plans to reintroduce the snack in the future.
Although demand still appears to be as high as ever for the cookies, which were manufactured in Regina until 1984 before moving to Toronto, it seems scouring the internet appears to be the only way to secure one for the time being.
Visit CBC News for more.
