Feb. 18/21 Articles Print Page

Canadians will join together on February 23 to celebrate agriculture, farmers and the food we all need and enjoy as part of the fifth annual Canada’s Agriculture Day. This day provides Canadians an opportunity to “raise their forks to the food we love and the people who produce it.”

Canada’s Agriculture Day was created by Agriculture More Than Ever, which seeks to enhance pride in Canada’s agriculture industry and trust in Canada’s food system. It celebrates the Canada’s producers who provide the world with safe, high-quality food.

“Canada’s Agriculture Day is that day – a day to be proud and celebrate all the amazing things happening in our agriculture and food system, and to create a conversation between consumers and producers around the food we love.”

Isaac LeClair, spokesperson for Canada’s Agriculture Day

“Canadian agriculture is a combination of innovative, vibrant and forward-thinking industries, which plays a significant role in our economy,” said Isaac LeClair, spokesperson for Ag More Than Ever and Canada’s Agriculture Day. “The Canadian agriculture and food system had a platform for celebration, Ag More Than Ever, but it didn’t have a day where we could bring our collective voices together and cheer as a community.

“Canada’s Agriculture Day is that day – a day to be proud and celebrate all the amazing things happening in our agriculture and food system, and to create a conversation between consumers and producers around the food we love.”

And Canadians are proud of our agriculture industry. Over the past four Canada’s Agriculture Day, Canadians have made giant custom cakes, hosted massive dinners, made television appearance to teach people about Canadian ingredients, conducted farm tours, held movie screenings and concerts and more. The movement continues to grow from year to year with people coming up with new and creative ways to share how they feel about Canadian agriculture.

“We don’t need to convince people to participate,” commented LeClair. “They begin planning for the celebration months in advance and it makes for a lot of fun when we all get to celebrate together on Canada’s Agriculture Day.”

This year, of course, celebrations will be a bit different in light of the ongoing pandemic. Unlike previous years, which have featured a mix of in-person events and social media activity, this year’s Canada Agriculture Day events are taking place entirely online. The traditional in-person conference has been replaced with a virtual fireside chat focusing on the opportunities ahead for Canadian agriculture and food.

The virtual event, Canadian Food: A world of opportunity, features FCC President and CEO Michael Hoffort and Canada’s Ambassador to China Dominic Barton.  They will discuss how Canada can continue to grow into its potential as a global food supplier. The event will also feature a panel discussion with Chantelle Donahue from Cargill, Daniel Vielfaure from Bonduelle and Murad Al-Katib from AGT Foods. The event is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Click here to learn more or to register for Canadian Food: A world of opportunity!

In addition to the fireside chat, social media will play a large part in the celebrations with Canadians sharing their love of Canadian food online with the hashtag #CdnAgDay. LeClair encourages everyone, no matter how they choose to celebrate Canada’s ag day, to take a moment on February 23 to share it to social media.

“Canada’s Agriculture Day is a perfect time to thank the women and men who are the backbone of growing, producing and manufacturing food across our country,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in a release announcing the fifth annual Canada’s Agriculture Day.

“Farmers and food businesses across Canada have stepped up this past year despite all the challenges thrown their way by COVID-19. This gives us even more reason to celebrate Canadian agriculture and everyone who is working hard to keep our grocery store shelves stocked with quality Canadian food.

“I encourage all Canadians to join in the celebrations and engage whatever way you can. Just as Canadians have celebrated the efforts of health care workers this past year, together, we can create a chorus of love and thanks for our farm families and food businesses.”

For more information on Canada’s Agriculture Day, please go to the Canada’s Agriculture Day  website.