In today’s world, the public’s trust in agriculture is more crucial than ever. With the increasing demand for safe, sustainable, and nutritious food, farmers, industry leaders, and governments must work together to build and maintain public trust. But what exactly is public trust in agriculture, and what happens if we don’t have it?
Public trust in agriculture means that consumers have confidence in the food system, from farm to table. It involves demonstrating that farmers, industry, and governments are operating safely, sustainably, and in alignment with societal values. This requires transparency, sharing the stories behind food production, and ensuring high standards in food safety, environmental stewardship, and animal care.
What Happens if We Don’t Have Public Trust in Agriculture?
If we don’t have public trust in agriculture, the consequences can be severe. Some of the potential outcomes include:
- Proliferation of Misinformation: Without public trust and credible information about food production, misinformation and disinformation will continue to contribute to consumers’ increased confusion and anxiety about food.
- Lack of Innovation: A lack of trust in farming processes can hinder innovation, investment and adoption of new farming methods, technologies, and sustainable practices that have the potential to improve food production and environmental impacts.
- Economic Impacts: Loss of public trust can result in increased costs and economic losses for farmers, the overall agriculture sector and for consumers.
- Increased Regulations: Governments may impose stricter regulations on the agriculture sector in response to a lack of public trust, which can increase burdens for farmers and for consumers.
Who works to build public trust in agriculture in Canada?
In 2018, several stakeholders came together to develop the Public Trust Framework for agriculture. It outlined how the core public trust groups worked together, and their individual and collective work. Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan operates within this framework to facilitate consumer access to information about Canadian food and farming.
- Farm & Food Care consists of organizations with a provincial focus. Their primary objectives are to engage consumers in their region with information about local production and partner with industry on public trust initiatives.
- FFC Saskatchewan believes that getting to know farmers and ranchers is getting to know food. We’re a coalition linking thousands of livestock, crop and horticulture producers, government, individuals, and businesses with a common goal to help people in Saskatchewan and Canada understand and trust in food and farming.
- FFC Ontario brings farmers, agricultural professionals, related businesses, government organizations, and other groups together with a mandate to build public trust in food and farming in Ontario and across Canada.
- FFC Prince Edward Island is committed to informing consumers about how food is produced on the Island in a safe and sustainable manner while supporting the Island food community.
Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a Canadian charitable organization with a vision of bringing agriculture to every classroom, inspiring every student. Member organizations include 10 provincial groups that are the boots on the ground working with local teachers.
Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) is a national non-profit organization with a mandate to help Canada’s food system earn trust by coordinating research, resources, dialogue, and training.
Canadian Food Focus (CFF) is a national organization with the goal of improving food literacy of Canadian consumers from farm gate to plate. They explore how food is grown and provide useful advice from experts to help people make confident food choices.
All of these organizations play vital roles in strengthening consumer confidence. Collaboration across sectors and regions is essential for meaningful progress. Our efforts will not go far if we only focus on students or only on consumers or only on industry, or if we only work in our own regions.
We can go further together. Consider supporting the efforts of these organizations by contacting them to see how you can make a difference in the future of food and farming in Canada.