Over the past couple of decades, those who make a profit off of the environment --- farmers, ranchers, miners, and loggers --- have seen a fair amount of negative publicity. As people involved in some of these industries, we know the negativity isn't always accurate, and Bruce Vincent with Environomics Incorporated more than agrees. "The... Read More
Category: Food
Opportunities to watch Food Evolution, the new documentary focusing on scientists’ views of GMOs, have been few and far between. But that all changes today with the release of the film on iTunes and Amazon. RealAgriculture attended a premiere of the film in Guelph, Ont., in June, but since that time the film has struggled... Read More
No one has to tell University of Guelph agricultural economics master’s student Travis Jansen that farmers like him are well-advised to listen to consumers. But he’s doing more than just listening to them – he’s set to learn from them, too. Jansen, who comes from a family hog farm near Seaforth, knows successful farmers have... Read More
What’s the value of public opinion? That’s a question I find myself asking more often these days. In a democracy, public opinion should matter and politicians and policy makers should have a strong understanding of the people’s will when making public policy. But should they give the people what they want? Today we have no... Read More
My daughter and grandson share the same birthday, August 7. They’re part of a pork-and-grain farming operation near Thamesville. At their birthday celebration on the weekend, our family barbequed pork sausage from their farm on the campfire. There was no reason to doubt the quality of the sausage. We trust the meat packers in nearby... Read More
Canada has a reputation for producing superb food ingredients…then shipping them abroad to be processing into finished goods, which we buy back at a higher cost. We further lose their added value because the processing and manufacturing jobs that are part of creating finished goods are part of someone else’s economy, not ours. Apologies if... Read More
When someone suggests going to a restaurant to eat, does the well-known ________ chain with the golden arches come to mind? McDonald's has certainly tried to enhance its image well beyond being a source for quick, cheap (and delicious) calories in recent years, upgrading its buildings with TVs, lounge areas, and other aesthetics to improve... Read More
The federal government has issued an extension for sharing views on what Canada's first national food policy should look like. The online survey and comment period, which was originally slated to end on July 27, has been extended to August 31. (Find the survey here.) "A strong response from across the country has prompted Agriculture... Read More
Food prices in Canadian stores have declined for nine consecutive months, dating back to last September, as measured by Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index. While the rate of depreciation has slowed since January, Kevin Grier, market analyst and author of the Grocery Trade Review, explains there are two main factors putting downward pressure on the... Read More
When it comes to whisky, Canada is a little different. Whisky ingredients, brewing, distilling and aging rules are steeped in tradition in many countries, but Canadian whisky makers like Windsor, Ontario-based Hiram Walker & Sons Limited have very few restrictions. Canada is the most flexible and innovative whisky production market in the world, explains Hiram... Read More