VANCOUVER – Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, visited Quest Food Exchange where she highlighted a $26.3 million investment through the recently launched Food Policy for Canada to reduce food waste.
Responsible for one in eight jobs across the country, our food sector is a powerhouse of the economy, particularly in our rural communities. However, more needs to be done to improve our food system. For example, we waste more than 11 million metric tons of food every year, worth nearly $50 billion.
The Government is discussing with key organizations concerned with food waste over the coming months to finalize the terms of the Food Waste Reduction Challenge, which will launch in early 2020. The challenge is a $20 millioninvestment that will fund the most innovative food waste reduction proposals in key areas such as the food processing, grocery retail and food service sectors. Minister Bibeau also announced that the Government of Canada is leading by example and will invest $6.3 million to cut its own food waste in federal facilities.
Challenges are internationally recognized innovative funding models used to address complex issues. Challenges shift the programming focus from an activity-based approach to one centred on outcomes and impact, with solutions that demonstrate tangible, measurable results for Canadians.
The Food Policy for Canada is the product of consultation and collaboration with Canadians across the country. The Government of Canada heard from more than 45,000 Canadians, including food producers and processors, experts in environment, health and food security, Indigenous groups, non-government organizations, and community advocates.
The vision for the Food Policy for Canada developed through these consultations is:All people in Canada are able to access a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food. Canada’s food system is resilient and innovative, sustains our environment, and supports our economy.
To realize this vision, the Government of Canada is investing $134 million through Budget 2019, to support new initiatives in key action areas, including:
- a Local Food Infrastructure Fund designed to support community-led projects that improve access to safe, healthy and culturally diverse food;
- a new Canada Brand and Buy Canadian promotional campaigns that will aim to increase pride and consumer confidence in Canadian food;
- support for community-led projects like greenhouses, community freezers, and skills training that address food challenges and food insecurity in Northern and isolated communities;
- new funds to help the Canadian Food Inspection Agency crack down on food fraud – the mislabeling and misrepresentation of food products – to protect consumers from deception and companies from unfair competition;
- taking the first steps to work alongside provinces, territories, and not-for-profit organizations towards the creation of a National School Food Program; and
- the creation of a Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council to bring together the expertise and diversity needed beyond government to address the food challenges of today, as well as the future of Canada’s food system.
The Food Policy for Canada aligns with the objectives of initiatives across the Federal Government, such as the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Heathy Eating Strategy, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy, among others.
