In the current climate we are facing in Canada, we think it is the perfect time to direct our audience to another great website Canadian Food Focus (CFF). We all can appreciate finding a new source for great information!
Founded six years ago with the focus on “improving food literacy of Canadian consumers from farm-gate to plate”, the CFF provides quality content from experts. This is exactly what we all could use right now, especially in the wake of the Tariff War we have been thrown in since President Trump’s announcements earlier this year. Canadians are now trying to learn more about buying Canadian made goods and sourcing Canadian producers and grown food; this is the perfect time to also learn about the steps between the production of the raw goods to your plate. Canadian Food Focus can help us to better understand our nation’s food system, offering insightful content.
A podcast for everyone
Canadian Food Focus is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to exploring and celebrating Canada’s diverse food landscape. They do so by offering a number of different resources. First, is a favourite of mine [which they no longer produce 😞 but we can only hope they bring it back], the podcast “Ask a Farmer” hosted by Clinton Monchuk, of Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan and also a local farmer. In this podcast, Clinton interviews food and farm-related experts, providing a fresh insight into the topic of the week, providing a genuine conversation which is not about convincing the audience but sparking their interest to listen. Some of his conversations include:
- Laura Reid from the CFIA explains the difference between best-before and expiry dates
- Bill Wirtz, from the Consumer Choice Centre, covers the effects policy changes have on our food choice
- Back in 2023, John Scott spoke with Clinton on the grocery prices and their continued rise, based on his career work as an “economist specializing in the food distribution and retail sector” and the former CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. While 18 months old, its content holds up and is worth a listen.
- While I could easily list them all, I will mention one more podcast, it was with one of my favourite researchers and authors in Canada, Timothy Caulfield. Timothy is a professor in Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, and you may recognize him from is Netflix show A User’s Guide to Cheating Death. Clinton and Timothy share a great conversation in this podcast, covering why people fear their food, the trust factor we have in those we admire (or don’t), and our relationship with social media and food, and he stresses the importance of reflecting on information before passing it on and how that impacts our views and decisions.
So much more food focused content
The CFF is providing content for all age levels. There are resources in their Courses menu which offer mini-classes on a whole host of topics. You can take a quick course on how particular items make it from the farm to your table, from lentils to canola oil, bacon (pork) to dairy. They also offer cooking courses, which dive into topics like how to cook barley and the difference between the different types of barley.
All their content comes from a large host of contributors who are experts in their own fields. The contributors cover seven general categories, including:
In the Kitchen
In Your Kitchen offers practical advice and information to enhance your Canadian culinary experience. Whether it is Canadian dishes, or sourcing Canadian ingredient, there is lots to learn, including tips to saving on your grocery bill. They of course also offer great recipes that highlight Canadian ingredients and culinary traditions. They also have a category of Learn to Cook, to help you enhance your culinary skills with resources and tutorials from basic to advanced, to boost your confidence in the kitchen.
Health
In the health category, you can access expert advice on nutrition and well-being. There is something for everyone whether it is learning to identify and navigate false nutrition information, food insecurity and its impact on children’s well-being in Canada, or their ‘ask a dietician’ video series.
Farming and its goods
It should be no surprise that they have a section where you can learn about Canadian agriculture through stories and expert insights from on the farm. There is more content here than I can explain. But what you will find here is a host of great articles and videos on the inputs, production, environmental factors and so much more whether it’s about mushrooms, animal care, or pesticide applicator licenses. You will also find the series Ask an Expert, where you can find answers to questions about farming practices, such as antibiotic use in chicken production and the living conditions of turkeys.
There are two more categories for our readers wanting to buy Canadian food, these sections are a must.
- What’s in Season provides a seasonal chart so you can know which fruits and vegetables are in season each month, with information on how to buy, prepare, and even how they grow in Canada.
- Canadian Food Stories is your chance to immerse yourself in narratives that celebrate Canada’s rich culture of our food and its production.
This new regular read for Canadians
I hope that you find the Canadian Food Focus a valuable platform to explore, learn, and engage with our country’s food systems. Whether you’re seeking new recipes, interested in farming practices, or aiming to make informed food choices, the website offers a wealth of information to enrich your culinary journey. As Canadians, let’s continues to have a Canadian food focus!
