Canada’s food system is a big, interconnected network that brings together farmers, producers, suppliers, and consumers from coast to coast. It delivers everything from fresh produce to processed foods, but there are growing concerns about issues like sustainability, food security, and ensuring everyone has access to what they need.
In 2023, Canada exported $99.1 billion in agriculture and food products, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. As the eighth-largest exporter of agri-food, fish, and seafood products, Canada shipped to more than 200 countries, ranking behind nations like the United States, Brazil, and China.
Despite being a significant player in global agriculture, Canada faces a troubling domestic issue. In 2024, the HungerCount report revealed a record-high number of visits to food banks, with 22.9% of Canadians experiencing food insecurity—the highest rate ever recorded. These alarming numbers highlight a growing affordability crisis caused by rising food prices, stagnant wages, and overall inflation. Since the pandemic, food prices have remained high in Canada, even as grocery chains report record profits. This situation has sparked frustration over “greedflation,” where big companies hike prices during crises.
The issues within Canada’s food system extend beyond high prices and inflation. The heavy use of pesticides is another significant concern, posing risks to Canadians’ health and the environment. A report from Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity, revealed that pesticide sales in the country rose by 47% between 2011 and 2021. Despite Canada’s cold climate reducing pest populations in winter, it remains the fifth-largest pesticide user globally.
The overuse of pesticides in Canada often provides minimal benefits to farmers or the economy. Those most affected by pesticide exposure include farmers, migrant workers, and Indigenous communities, who face both short- and long-term health impacts. The report also criticizes Health Canada for a lack of transparency and weak enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act, leaving the public at risk. Many pesticides are approved or re-approved without thorough reviews of current scientific evidence, including ecosystem risks and cumulative effects.
According to the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives, Canada’s food system has long favored corporations, making meaningful change difficult. One proposed solution is to build direct connections between farmers and consumers, bypassing the global market. Farmers’ markets offer an opportunity for farmers to sell fresh, seasonal produce directly to their communities, strengthening local food systems.
However, many farmers’ market vendors point out that regulations designed for industrial producers are too burdensome for small, local farms. Suggestions to improve local food infrastructure include providing low-cost commercial kitchens and regional food hubs. Programs like farmers’ market coupons are also encouraged to support both producers and consumers.
Farmers’ markets foster trust and connection, giving people a chance to learn about farming costs and directly support local growers. Supporting small-scale farmers promotes sustainable farming methods that work with the environment rather than against it. These farmers play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and maintaining healthy local food systems despite the pressure to adopt high-input farming pushed by corporations.
In Canada, young farmers are leading the way by reviving methods like permaculture and regenerative agriculture. Even though they face significant challenges, their commitment to sustainability offers hope for a more resilient and equitable food system.
