OTTAWA, February 7, 2018 — The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has calculated that by Friday, February 9, 2018, a Canadian household of average income will have earned enough to pay their entire year’s grocery bill.
Each year, CFA examines the proportion of income that Canadians spend on food as a way to explore year-over-year expenditure changes and raise consumers’ understanding of Canada’s food system, from Farm-Gate-to-Plate.
Canadians spent 11% of their disposable income on food in 2017, according to our figures based on the latest statistics, compared to 10.7% in 2016. This year, Food Freedom Day falls one day later than last year’s date, reflecting a slight cost increase that can be largely attributed to shifts in consumer trends and impacts due to weather volatility in key production areas for certain commodities.
“Farmers are at the heart of the our food system, and they take great pride in growing quality products for people here at home, and all around the world. Food Freedom Day is an opportunity to appreciate all that goes into producing our food – and the connections along the path toward our dinner tables,” said Ron Bonnett, CFA President.
While the prices consumers pay for food has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years, the amount that returns to the farm gate is relatively small, particularly when the costs of production are taken into account. Canadian farmers continue to adapt to widely varying costs for inputs such as fuel and fertilizer, and to balance their plans against uncertainties in the marketplace.
Food Freedom Day demonstrates the value that Canadian farmers deliver to ALL Canadians – not only through quality food, but by supporting 1 in 8 jobs, which in turn translates into vital economic contributions for our rural communities.
Consumer preferences, market shifts and other related issues will take centre stage later this month, when CFA hosts its 2018 Annual General Meeting. Our dynamic speakers and discussions will focus on the many interconnected links of agriculture and food policy, such as public trust, sustainability, business risk management, trade and much more.
Media Contact:
Janice Hall
CFA Director of Communications
Phone: 613-236-3633 ext. 2322
Email: communications@canadian-farmers.ca