–Brief–
Canada Food Guide
3 minute starting point 📖
4 questions to research 💭
13 ideas to participate 💡
Summer 2019
Background
Canada's Food Guide was updated in January 2019.
The new guide is part of a healthy eating strategy to address obesity.
The health minister was asked to collaborate with the agriculture and agri-food minister. And, to make sure the updated guide was based on science and feedback.
- The guide was released by Health Canada and the Federal Health Minister. It was last updated in 2007 and was first published in 1942. 📖
- Health Canada is a department of the federal (national) government responsible for public health services, no matter who is in power. This department is also called the Ministry of Health. 🏢🩺
- The Federal Health Minister is currently a member of the Liberal Party, appointed to this role by the Liberal Prime Minister. This position is also called the Minister of Health. 🧑💼🩺
- Information is given to the Minister from the Ministry to create or change laws or rules about public health services across Canada.
The new guide is part of a healthy eating strategy to address obesity.
- The strategy was launched in 2016 by Health Canada under the Liberal federal government.
- It includes the new food guide, a new law to restrict advertising of certain foods to children under 13 years old, and a new rule to put warning labels on products high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. ⚠️
- The updated guide was released. The new advertising law and labelling rule are not yet in effect.
The health minister was asked to collaborate with the agriculture and agri-food minister. And, to make sure the updated guide was based on science and feedback.
- The government requested feedback from people, professionals, and organizations in health, agriculture, and agri-food in 2016 and 2017.
- Agriculture is the practice of making sure soil can grow plants and livestock (animals) for food and clothing, or “cultivating soil”. 🧑🌾 ➡️ 🌱
- Agri-food is the combination of agriculture with the process and distribution of food products, or “the business of food”. 🧑🌾 ➡️ 🌱 ➡️ 💵 ➡️ 🍽
- How plants and livestock in Canada are produced and sold is determined by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a department of the federal government. This department is also called the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
What happened
The new guide was well-received in health groups but industry groups said not enough was done to consult, or hear from, the agri-food sector.
Not all Canadians have enough money or time to follow the new guide.
Current trade tension is adding pressure on agri-food businesses.
- Industry groups here are farming and manufacturing businesses that plant, grow, harvest, herd, produce, and provide food products. 🌱 ➡️ 💵 Businesses with similar goals collaborate as groups to work with the government on laws, rules, and plans.
- The government used research provided by non-industry groups (research and non-profit organizations) and did not use research provided by industry groups (business and for-profit organizations). 📉
- Non-industry groups here are research, health, and education institutes that gather, assess, and analyze information to provide knowledge.
- For the first time, the guide does not suggest dairy milk as the leading healthy drink choice and is heavily plant-based, showing less meat and wheat.
- The updated guide suggests water, and under other healthy drink choices suggests dairy milk, along with plant milk, tea, and coffee.
Not all Canadians have enough money or time to follow the new guide.
- When the idea of a food guide was first introduced in the 1940s, a national school food program was being planned at the same time but it never launched. 🤔
- National school food programs are publicly-funded, nutritionally-balanced, low-cost or free meals for children at public schools.
- Canada is said to be the only country in the G7 without a national school food program.
- The G7, or Group of Seven, is a group of wealthy and powerful countries that share values and work together to solve the same problems. 🇨🇦🇫🇷🇩🇪🇮🇹🇯🇵🇬🇧🇺🇸
Current trade tension is adding pressure on agri-food businesses.
- Countries around the world trade products with each other and a lot of countries buy food products from Canadian plants and livestock. 🥩🤝🥬
- The agriculture and agri-food industry currently employs more than two million Canadians. It cares a lot about food laws because they determine how food products are sold and how their companies will work.
- Farmers’ net (after tax) income in Canada decreased by 45.1% in 2018 – the largest drop since 2006. For perspective, farmers’ net income decreased by 2.8% in 2017.
- Farmers are also struggling with succession planning, or attracting young people to take over their businesses. 👨🌾 📉
What's next
Some scientific evidence is said to be missing from the food guide development process.
Farmers will plant more barley, corn, dry peas, lentils, and oats and less canola, wheat, and soybeans, according to Statistics Canada due to economic and cultural changes.
The federal government gave $79.5 million to projects that plan to create smart tools for Canadian farmers and food manufacturers and to sell to other countries. 🛠
Provincial and territorial governments asked the federal government for an update on its commitment to compensate, or improve the conditions for, farmers negatively impacted by new trade agreements.
The federal government is working on a poverty reduction strategy, which plans to reduce the number of Canadians living below the poverty line by 50% by 2030.
- This includes economists, historians, sociologists, and animal or plant scientists who study food systems.
- Health Canada has stated plans to expand how knowledge is collected for future guides as the science of food evolves.
Farmers will plant more barley, corn, dry peas, lentils, and oats and less canola, wheat, and soybeans, according to Statistics Canada due to economic and cultural changes.
- Statistics Canada is a government agency that produces data on the country's population, resources, economy, society and culture. It is part of a department in the federal government called Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. 🔬
The federal government gave $79.5 million to projects that plan to create smart tools for Canadian farmers and food manufacturers and to sell to other countries. 🛠
- The first project is the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN), which plans to create technology (agri-tech) to help farmers stay competitive and reduce financial risks.
- The second project is the Canadian Food Innovators Network (CFIN), which plans to create technology for food processing, including packaging that improves food safety, monitors freshness, and extends shelf life.
Provincial and territorial governments asked the federal government for an update on its commitment to compensate, or improve the conditions for, farmers negatively impacted by new trade agreements.
- The Federal government, or the feds committed “up to” $3.9 billion to support Canada’s dairy, egg and poultry industry in a budget released in March 2019 and planned to announce how money would be spent before July. 💰
- In July, the feds announced a $11.4 million investment in dairy research. In August, the feds announced a $1.75 billion payment to dairy farmers to offset their financial losses from trade issues.
The federal government is working on a poverty reduction strategy, which plans to reduce the number of Canadians living below the poverty line by 50% by 2030.
- The plan was announced in August 2018 by Employment and Social Development Canada (ministry, department) and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (politician).
- There is no food program but other investments are proposed to improve the social and economic well-being of Canadians. No programs have been launched.
Questions to research
* How can we ensure food-guide-friendly foods are accessible to all? How will we keep up with the demand for these foods?
* If people consume less meat, dairy, and wheat, how will Canadian agri-food businesses be impacted?
* We see how plant farmers are adapting to economic and cultural changes. How are meat and dairy farmers adapting?
* What do we need to understand about the business of farming so we can be smart, while healthy, consumers?
* If people consume less meat, dairy, and wheat, how will Canadian agri-food businesses be impacted?
* We see how plant farmers are adapting to economic and cultural changes. How are meat and dairy farmers adapting?
* What do we need to understand about the business of farming so we can be smart, while healthy, consumers?
Ideas to participate
...in Welland.
The Hope Centre
Give or receive food in Welland. In 2018, 2,797 people (897 under the age of 18) were fed.
–Hours to pick up food: Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 11:45am and from 12:30 to 2:45pm.
–Hours to drop off food: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
–Hours for community lunch: Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 12:30pm.
Welland Farmers’ Market
Meet and buy produce from local farmers.
70 Young Street // 905-735-1700 x4000 // market@welland.ca // FB: @WellandFarmersMarket
–Hours: every Saturday (year round) from 6am to 12pm
Downtown Welland Community Garden
Access tools and seeds, and help maintain gardens.
–Hours for open-shed: click on the website link above or Facebook page for the schedule.
–Hours to visit garden: seven days a week from dawn until dusk!
Find more opportunities in the Niagara region:
...in Niagara Falls.
Project SHARE Food Bank
Give or receive food in Niagara Falls. Each day, an average of 100 families are supported.
–Hours: Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm and Wednesday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.
Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market
Meet and buy produce from local farmers.
5943 Sylvia Place // 905.356.7521 // FB: @NiagaraFallsFarmersMarket
–Hours: every Saturday (year round) from 7am to 1pm
Project SHARE Community Garden
Grow and preserve, or teach how to grow and preserve, healthy organic foods without pesticides.
–Hours to drop off supplies: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, or, drop a bag off at the back door of the building on Stanley with the note "Jo Low Garden" on it.
Find more opportunities in the Niagara region:
...in Hamilton.
Neighbour 2 Neighbour
Give or receive food in Hamilton. Essential groceries are provided to 3,500 people per month.
–Hours to pick up food: Monday to Wednesday from 9:30am to 3:15pm and Thursday from 12:30 to 7:30pm
–Hours to drop off food: Monday to Friday from 9am to 3:30pm and Thursday until 7:30pm.
Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Meet and buy produce from local farmers.
35 York Boulevard // 905.546.2096 // FB: @HamiltonFarmersMarket
–Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm.
Sustainable Victory Gardens
Plant, and learn to plant, food for local food banks and meal programs. Learn about urban agriculture and transform empty lots into community gardens.
Find more opportunities in Hamilton:
* Find more food banks.
* Find more farmers’ markets.
* Find more community gardens.
...in Toronto.
* Find food banks in Toronto by neighbourhood.
* Find farmers’ markets in Toronto by day of the week.
* Find community gardens in Toronto – or start one!
I’m tired. What’s easier?
* If you can, buy food with this sticker at the grocery store.
* Find last-day food sales at the grocery store to cut up and throw in the freezer.
* Buy bulk when produce is on sale and freeze to eat later.
* Meal plan with in-season produce because it’s more affordable and normally local.
* Watch this video on growing veggies from your kitchen with food scraps.
I’m into this. What else?
* Participate in public engagement on the food guide by registering yourself to join Health Canada's database.
* Contact Health Canada with your comments and questions on the food guide at nutrition@hc-sc.gc.ca or 1.866.225.0709.
* Check out this map on food security and contact your MPP to give recommendations for change.
* Find out who your MPP is and how to contact them by typing your postal code into this database.
* Become a farmer by starting a farm or taking one over by contacting ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or 1-877-424-1300.
The Hope Centre
Give or receive food in Welland. In 2018, 2,797 people (897 under the age of 18) were fed.
- Receive food: bring proof of income and proof of address to the address below.
- Give food: bring fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products to the address below or by contacting Gina Couldery, food security coordinator 905.788.0744 x231. The most needed items are cereal, peanut butter, canned meat, seasonable vegetables, milk, cheese, and meat.
- Give time: cook lunches or distribute food by filling out this form or contacting Nancy Hart, volunteer coordinator at 905.788.0744 x227.
–Hours to pick up food: Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 11:45am and from 12:30 to 2:45pm.
–Hours to drop off food: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
–Hours for community lunch: Monday to Friday from 11:30 to 12:30pm.
Welland Farmers’ Market
Meet and buy produce from local farmers.
70 Young Street // 905-735-1700 x4000 // market@welland.ca // FB: @WellandFarmersMarket
–Hours: every Saturday (year round) from 6am to 12pm
Downtown Welland Community Garden
Access tools and seeds, and help maintain gardens.
- Access tools and seeds: join an ‘open-shed’ day for free.
- Maintain gardens: weed and harvest plants or grow your own – regulars receive their own shed key!
–Hours for open-shed: click on the website link above or Facebook page for the schedule.
–Hours to visit garden: seven days a week from dawn until dusk!
Find more opportunities in the Niagara region:
- Find more food banks for fresh food and non-perishable food.
- Find more farmers’ markets.
- Find more community gardens.
...in Niagara Falls.
Project SHARE Food Bank
Give or receive food in Niagara Falls. Each day, an average of 100 families are supported.
- Receive food: bring proof of income, address, and dependents when you visit.
- Give food: bring fresh or frozen donations to the address below. The most requested items are fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, baby food + formula, meat, eggs, cheese, beans & fish.
–Hours: Monday to Friday, excluding Wednesday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm and Wednesday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.
Niagara Falls Farmers’ Market
Meet and buy produce from local farmers.
5943 Sylvia Place // 905.356.7521 // FB: @NiagaraFallsFarmersMarket
–Hours: every Saturday (year round) from 7am to 1pm
Project SHARE Community Garden
Grow and preserve, or teach how to grow and preserve, healthy organic foods without pesticides.
- Learn, or teach, how to garden or can: contact Jo Low at jolow@projectshare.ca or call 905.357.5121 ex. 32 to join one of three garden locations: 6557 Thorold Stone Road, Our Lady of the Scapular Parish; 6009 Valley Way, The Gate Alliance Church; 5960 Pitton Road, Westlane Secondary School.
- Give supplies: bring garden tools, pots, soil, manure, seeds and transplants, children’s and adult’s garden gloves, rain barrels, composters, bamboo stakes, old blinds for garden markers to the drop-off location below
–Hours to drop off supplies: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, or, drop a bag off at the back door of the building on Stanley with the note "Jo Low Garden" on it.
Find more opportunities in the Niagara region:
- Find more food banks for fresh food and non-perishable food.
- Find more farmers’ markets.
- Find more community gardens.
...in Hamilton.
Neighbour 2 Neighbour
Give or receive food in Hamilton. Essential groceries are provided to 3,500 people per month.
- Receive food: bring proof of identification, income, and address using any of the documents listed in the orange square to receive 5-7 days of food. “Points” are given to make purchases and based on family size, and volunteers will be available to help.
- Give food: bring any items from this list to the address below at the drop off times below. If you have a large donation and cannot make the times below, email warehouse@n2ncentre.com or call 905.574.1334 x212 and a driver will come to pick it up.
- Give time: Organize shelves with food products, assist shoppers on the point system, or drive to deliver groceries and pick-up donations. Email Marija at volunteer@n2ncentre.com. Must be 16+ years old and able to commit to 3.5 hours per week.
–Hours to pick up food: Monday to Wednesday from 9:30am to 3:15pm and Thursday from 12:30 to 7:30pm
–Hours to drop off food: Monday to Friday from 9am to 3:30pm and Thursday until 7:30pm.
Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Meet and buy produce from local farmers.
35 York Boulevard // 905.546.2096 // FB: @HamiltonFarmersMarket
–Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm.
Sustainable Victory Gardens
Plant, and learn to plant, food for local food banks and meal programs. Learn about urban agriculture and transform empty lots into community gardens.
- Give supplies: bring tools, equipment, seeds, and plants to 155 Canon Street East (there is a drop-off donation door on the west side of the parking lot) or contact Mark at donate@hamiltonvictorygardens.org.
- Sponsor a ‘garden bed’: fill out this form and email it to donate@hamiltonvictorygardens.org. A sponsored garden bed produces approximately 100 pounds of fresh produce each year.
- Volunteer short-term: check this schedule (scroll down for location and details under the calendar) and sign up to garden at one of the regular sessions.
- Volunteer long-term: check this list of gardening and non-gardening opportunities and click on Apply Now to access the volunteer application form.
Find more opportunities in Hamilton:
* Find more food banks.
* Find more farmers’ markets.
* Find more community gardens.
...in Toronto.
* Find food banks in Toronto by neighbourhood.
* Find farmers’ markets in Toronto by day of the week.
* Find community gardens in Toronto – or start one!
I’m tired. What’s easier?
* If you can, buy food with this sticker at the grocery store.
* Find last-day food sales at the grocery store to cut up and throw in the freezer.
* Buy bulk when produce is on sale and freeze to eat later.
* Meal plan with in-season produce because it’s more affordable and normally local.
* Watch this video on growing veggies from your kitchen with food scraps.
I’m into this. What else?
* Participate in public engagement on the food guide by registering yourself to join Health Canada's database.
* Contact Health Canada with your comments and questions on the food guide at nutrition@hc-sc.gc.ca or 1.866.225.0709.
* Check out this map on food security and contact your MPP to give recommendations for change.
* Find out who your MPP is and how to contact them by typing your postal code into this database.
* Become a farmer by starting a farm or taking one over by contacting ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or 1-877-424-1300.
Judge each day by the seeds that you plant.
–Robert Louis Stevenson