news & trends

Tag Archives: CropLife Canada

Plant Science and the Price of Food

Posted on
Reply

A paper grocery bag with a few groceries sticking out

Have you heard the news?

Food prices are going up this year by an average of 5-7%. That’s according to the latest Canada’s Food Price Report by researchers at Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia.

The chart below outlines the anticipated increases in food prices for various food categories in 2023. The price of dairy, meat and bakery items will all increase between 5-7%, while vegetables will take the hardest hit, with prices expected to rise between 6-8%.

Chart showing percent increase in food prices for different food categories

Source: Canada’s Food Price Report 2023

Last year’s food price report also predicted an overall food price increase of 5-7%, and in reality, the increase was over 10%. What’s driving the rise in food prices? There isn’t one specific cause, but rather a mix of factors including geopolitical conflicts, higher oil / gas prices, as well as increased fuel and food production costs.

It’s no surprise that rising food costs are Canadians’ top concern. According to research from The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, the cost of food has consistently been the number one worry among the majority of Canadians for the past five years. In 2022, 69% of Canadians were concerned about the cost of food and 56% were concerned about keeping healthy food affordable.

The good news is, plant science helps to reduce food waste and keep food affordable for Canadians. Scientists use plant breeding innovations like genetic modification and gene editing technology to develop new varieties of crops that are not only tolerant to heat and drought, but that also have an increased shelf life. Longer lasting produce can help you stretch your food dollar and minimize food waste at home.

Up to 40% of crops are lost each year globally due to insects, weeds and diseases.[1] What’s more, extreme weather situations such as droughts and floods could reduce crop yields significantly, potentially driving up food prices. Shorter / milder winters resulting from climate change could further threaten food production. Pesticides and genetically engineered crops are important tools to help protect crops from insects, weeds and diseases as well as limit food loss from farm to table. Here in Canada, plant science technologies are strictly regulated to ensure they are safe for people, animals, and the environment.

Research shows that without plant science innovations, prices would be 45% higher on average for many food staples, which would cost Canadian families an extra $4,500 a year for food.[2] Thanks to plant science, farmers have tools to grow safe, healthy crops while playing an important role in keeping food prices down.

Learn more about plant science innovations and food affordability at HelpingCanadaGrow.ca and www.RealFarmLives.ca.

 

[1] CropLife Canada. Facts and Figures: Food Waste. https://croplife.ca/facts-figures/food-waste-in-canada/

[2] Regulatory Impacts / Alternatives / Strategies (RIAS) Inc. (2021 March). The Value of Plant Science Innovations to Canadians in 2020. 

 

 

Written by Sue Mah, MHSc, RD, PHEc, FDC, Award-winning dietitian and Co-Founder, n4nn. This is a sponsored post with CropLife Canada. The information shared in the blog are my opinions based on my review of this topic. I consult only with companies which align with my personal and professional values.

 

Meet the McKennas!

Posted on
Reply
The McKenna family photo

The McKenna family

Last month, I was kindly invited by CropLife Canada to meet the McKenna family who are 4th generation farmers in beautiful Prince Edward Island (PEI)! Gordie and Andrea McKenna shown above with their family, grow potatoes, carrots and turnips on the red, iron-rich soil which helps to retain the right amount of moisture for the crops.

But it takes so much more than just perfect soil and climate to grow food. Along with hard work and perseverance, the McKennas must navigate issues such as:

  • Land management – Preparation for this year’s potato planting actually began 3 years ago with a SWAT analysis (soil, water, air and topography), crop rotation and pest management.
  • Soil health – Grid sampling is conducted to test soil samples for nutrients.
  • Impact of world events on supply and cost of resources – For example, much of the fertilizer was previously sourced from Russia. With the world events, the cost of fertilizer has risen by 85%!
  • Technology – Modern day farmers need to invest in technology and digital tools.
  • Labour shortage – It’s a challenge to find staff who understand the machinery and technology required for farming. The shortage of truck drivers in our country is escalating a competitive marketplace between Canadian and European farmers.
  • Weather –  Climate uncertainties such as early frost or heat domes can pose major challenges.

Gordie McKenna describes the precision needed in growing carrots.

I had a chance to ask Gordie, “What’s one thing you would like to say to Canadians?”

His reply, “I want Canadians to know just how challenging it is to produce perfect food. It’s a constant pressure on a food producer in Canada to try to be perfect every step of the way. Farmers need more respect from consumers, better understanding and more education in the classrooms for children to see what farming is like today.”

The bottom line is that farming is incredibly hard work. Farmers take pride in growing safe and nutritious food that feed us and families around the world. Watch the Real Farm Lives documentary series to peek into the daily lives of our amazing Canadian farmers!

Other Fun Facts I Learned on My Trip to PEI

  • Prince Edward Island is the largest grower of potatoes in Canada, supplying about 25% of all potatoes grown in Canada. There are 200 potato producers in PEI, and 96% of them are multi-generational farmers.
  • Plant science includes tools that protect crops from insects / weeds / diseases as well as innovations to develop stronger varieties of crops. Farmers use these innovations to grow food sustainably.
  • Cavendish Farms were the first potato producer in North America to convert solid waste to bio-methane gas for energy. The Cavendish Farms plant processes 4 million pounds of potatoes every day and produces 270 bags of French fries every MINUTE – that’s 388,800 bags of French fries each and every day! It can take 9 years to clone a new potato variety. The Cavendish team of researchers developed the Russet Prospect potato which requires less fertilizer and soil fumigation.
  • Harrington Research Farm houses a field and greenhouse research facility as part of the Charlottetown Research and Development Centre. Scientists conduct research on integrated crop systems with a focus on crop rotations, soil health, water quality, agronomy of new crop species, crop nutrient cycles and pest / disease management.

Thanks again to CropLife Canada, Farm and Food Care PEI and the PEI Federation of Agriculture for organizing this fantastic trip and educational event! Until next time!

Group photo on a farm

Friends and colleagues on the McKenna farm.

Written by Sue Mah, MHSc, RD, PHEc, FDC, Award-winning dietitian and Co-Founder, n4nn. The event was sponsored travel and this blog reflects my own learning experiences.