CNW/ – Food grown and consumed locally across Canada should be more deeply integrated into the broader national food distribution system; a move that would benefit local producers and ultimately the whole food economy, according to a new Conference Board of Canada report released on Aug. 20. Most food grown locally in Canada is currently sold through large retail chains and major distributors, a pattern that is likely to continue.
“Local food is a growing part of the Canadian food system and interest has surged in recent years,” said Michael Bloom, vice-president, organizational effectiveness and learning. “What we’re finding is that there is room to expand the role of local food systems in Canada, and that in doing so, there are significant economic benefits to be realized.”
The Centre for Food in Canada report, Cultivating Opportunities: Canada’s Growing Appetite for Local Food, finds the economic impact of local food systems is most significant in Quebec and Ontario.
Across Canada, 20 per cent of food is consumed within the same province in which it is produced – a widely-used definition of local food. Quebec leads with 29% of the province’s overall food production (in total dollar value) being consumed by Quebecers. In Ontario, 24% of food produced (by value) is eaten within the province. Locally-produced food also makes up a substantial share of the food consumed in British Columbia (16%) and Nova Scotia (13 %).
The report defines local food as food consumed as close to where it is produced and processed as is reasonably possible, allowing for regional differences in seasonality and availability.
The report indicates interest in local food is being driven by concerns about quality, health and nutrition, food safety, local economics and farmers, and the environment.
Local food systems have economic benefits for a wide range of businesses. The largest benefits go to small and medium sized producers, as well as retailers and food service operators that focus on niche and premium markets.
Local food is not a stand-alone solution to public concerns about the food system. Non-local food plays an important role in providing Canadians with access to a wide variety of products; Canada also benefits from global trade in food.
Consumers indicate some of their motivation for purchasing local food is to support their local economy and farmers. Many also believe that local produce is fresher than alternatives. Availability and convenience, as well as the price of some local food products, are the main barriers to local food consumption.
The report recommends a number of actions that could support local food systems, including:
– provide small and medium producers with additional information and guidance on direct marketing and selling local products to large retailers in the broader food system;
– retailers, food service operators and distributors should extend their work with local producers to increase the availability and visibility of local food, and label these products as local;
– governments – both provincial and local – could expand their leadership in local food marketing and labeling initiatives; and
Public sector institutions could make procurement of local food a priority when cost-effective and efficient to do so.
