Celebrating Canada’s Food Freedom Day
February 12, 2010 – OTTAWA, ON – GrowCanada®, a partnership of 11 of the country’s leading agricultural organizations, celebrates the many people whose everyday efforts ensure that Canadians are able to mark Food Freedom Day so early in the year. Food Freedom Day, which this year falls on February 12, represents the time when the average Canadian will have earned enough money to pay for his or her own groceries for the full year.
Farmers who work the land, scientists who develop new innovations and many others all lend their specific skills and talents to Canada’s vibrant agricultural sector so that Canadians have access to safe, nutritious and affordable foods using technologies that enhance sustainability.
"As farmers we take great pride in producing healthy and affordable food for Canadian consumers," said Doug Robertson, president of the Grain Growers of Canada. "Using the modern technologies we have today, the 80,000 farmers we represent are dedicated to growing our grain safely and sustainably."
"Pulses are a made-in-Canada success that contribute to two things – healthy people and a healthy planet," said Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada. "Beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas are nutritious, an affordable part of a healthy diet and a key part of a sustainable food production system."
“Canola oil complements a wide range of foods to make heart-smart and budget-friendly meals. Canadian canola farmers are delivering great value to consumers by producing one of the healthiest cooking oils at an affordable price. This no doubt ensures that Food Freedom Day comes early in the year,” said JoAnne Buth of the Canola Council of Canada.
“An estimated nine out of every 10 bites of food available in the world today begin with the planting of seeds,” said Dave Sippell, president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, which represents 130 companies involved in all aspects of the seed industry. “Seed driven innovation brings quality and health benefits to consumers, improves farmer productivity and profitability, and at the same time reduces agriculture’s impact on the environment.”
“Farmers are proud to work with their industry partners to provide Canadian consumers food for their families,” said Laurent Pellerin, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. “Through the past 50 years, Canadian agriculture has allowed consumers to stretch their food dollar even further, which has benefited the entire nation.”
“Canadian agriculture is full of people who are committed to working hard for others and taking care of our precious natural resources. Pest control and plant biotechnology products are used by farmers because they increase yields significantly, enhance food quality and increase farm profits; in developed nations like Canada that is often taken for granted,” said Lorne Hepworth, president of CropLife Canada, the trade association that represents Canada’s plant science industry.
While Canada’s urban population continues to grow, the fact remains that we all rely on the Canadian agricultural sector to provide our families with food. Food Freedom Day is a good way to recognize the importance of this sector and the ways in which it contributes to the health and well-being of all Canadians.
GrowCanada® partners are committed to ensuring a vibrant, productive, and responsive agricultural sector that will meet the needs of this nation for decades to come.
For more information please contact:
Debbie Silva, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
613-236-3633 ext. 2322
Patty Townsend, Canadian Seed Trade Association
P: 613 829 9527
Nadine Sisk, CropLife Canada
P: 613-230-9881 ext 3224
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