From July 9-11, Canadian Food Focus hosted a two-and-a-half day mission for a group of food influencers from across Canada, including dietitians, chefs, food writers, and educators, as well as representatives from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. The tour included:
- Highlights of Saskatchewan culture: smudge welcome ceremony, hoop dancing and native plants at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, meals spotlighting Ukrainian and Asian heritage
- Presentations about sustainable farming practices, plant science innovations
- Field tours of lentils, wheat, canola and irrigation
- Discussion session on beef production practices and a stop at a cattle pasture
- Virtual tour and Q&A session with a chicken farmer
- Real-time virtual tour of Prairie Swine Centre
- Visit to Star Egg Company’s egg processing facility
- Tour of a dairy farm
We learn from our guests about the questions and concerns consumers have about food production. Tour participants use what they’ve learned during their visit in their future communications and continue to reach out when they or their clients want more information about Canadian food and farming.
Angela Wong is a registered dietitian based in Edmonton, AB who works with Health Stand Nutrition who took part in this year’s tour. Read her top takeaways from the event: https://www.healthstandnutrition.com/canadian-farm-myths/
More stories from past participants are available here:
- 3 Things I Learned Visiting Saskatchewan Farms by Lucia Weiler, RD
- Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan Farm Tour 2022 by Jane Dummer, RD
- The Canadian Farming Industry from Farm to Fork by Shauna Kime, RD & Online Nutritionist