The nationwide #TakeoutDay initiative kicked off this Wednesday, and while many were keen to show solidarity and support to local food and drink businesses, some have since suggested that the movement could be problematic.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture was in the news again this week, claiming that without immediate emergency funding, many of the country’s farmers will opt out of planting next year’s crops, which the CFA believes could lead to reduced supply and greater pricing in the future.
Finally, as they’ve done throughout the pandemic, Second Harvest continues to play a major role in providing crucial aid to those who need it most. This week, Canada’s largest food rescue charity announced its plans to distribute $4.5-milion to non-profits and charities that support community food programs.
Here are five stories you might have missed in food news this week.
#TakeoutDay causes unexpected contention
In response to the #TakeOutDay initiative, which launched this past Wednesday, The Globe and Mail's Vancouver-based writer and restaurant critic, Alexandra Gill suggested that while the idea of Canadians ordering take-out and delivery en masse to support local food and drink businesses is good in spirit, it could be very problematic in practice. Gill goes on to say that what the hospitality industry needs is immediate intervention to provide things like rent relief, lowered interest rate for credit cards, and a ban on commercial evictions.
Find the entirety of Gill’s opinion piece at The Globe and Mail.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture seeks emergency funding
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is calling on the Canadian government to place a greater priority on food production to ensure farmers can continue to meet demand. According to the CFA, worker shortages are causing some farmers to opt out of planting next year’s crops, which the CFA believes could lead to reduced supply and greater pricing in the future.
Get the full story from Victoria News.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency receives $20 million grant
The federal government announced this week that it will provide the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) $20 million in funding to ensure hiring, training, and equipping staff to continue food inspections and minimize supply disruptions. The funding will also help the CFIA adopt safer measures of inspection during the pandemic.
Head to Canada.ca for more.
Chicken Farmers of Canada to reduce national flock by 12 per cent
The combination of COVID-19-related meat processing plant closures and a significantly reduced demand has generated a great deal of concern for the Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) this week. In an attempt to avoid a devastating surplus, CFC’s board of directors has resolved to reduce the total amount of chickens to be grown from May to June by 12.6 per cent.
Find out more at the Financial Post.
Second Harvest to distribute $4.5-million in funding for food charities
Two weeks ago, the federal government announced an investment of $100-million to improve access to food for Canadians facing social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Canada’s largest food rescue charity, Second Harvest, revealed it would be making $4.5-million available in grants to any non-profit or charity that supports a community through food programs.
Visit The Globe and Mail for the full breakdown.
