Canada’s economy could benefit if more work was done to integrate local food into the national food distribution network, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released today (August 20).
“Local food is a growing part of the Canadian food system and interest has surged in recent years,” said Michael Bloom, vice-president of organizational effectiveness with the conference board.
“What we’re finding is that there is room to expand the role of local food systems in Canada.”
Nationally, 20% of food consumed is grown and consumed in the same province – the measure of “local food” that the board used for its study.
In Quebec, 29% of the food grown in that province is eaten by Quebecers. In Ontario, 24% is consumed locally. B.C. is third at 16%, followed by Nova Scotia at 13%.
Consumers are choosing local food because of perceptions that it is fresher and healthier and because of a desire to support nearby farmers and the local economy. Barriers to buying local food include cost, availability and convenience.
To give local food producers a firmer footing in the food retailing system, the conference board recommends:
- small and medium-sized producers are given 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 extend their work with local producers to increase the availability and visibility of local food, and label these products as local;
- governments expand their leadership in local food marketing and labelling initiatives; and
- public-sector institutions make procurement of local food a priority when cost-effective and efficient to do so.
