Reading Time: 3 minutes A farmer is defined by Merriam-Webster as a person who cultivates land or crops or raises animals. I find the definition too narrow as it does not portray the depth and breadth of food production. From the tiny fields where mulberry is grown to feed the silkworms and the pots of herbs on a windowsill […] Read more
Schoepp: The narrow definition of a farmer is far from the whole story
The full story of farming needs to be told more often, and we should be proud to do that
Schoepp: Does sourcing ingredients from around the world really make sense?
It’s time that consumers were offered the chance to buy truly Canadian food products
Reading Time: 3 minutes Have you ever felt betrayed when you bought a food product? I am fascinated by brand claims and food sources. One day I simply emptied the nearest cupboard to see where the food came from and what was in the manufactured products that now were scattered on the counter. The pure Atlantic Sea Salt I […] Read more
Schoepp: Growing food in space could spark big changes on Earth
Scientists are looking at how to grow food on Mars and their research could change the food sector here
Reading Time: 3 minutes “When we go to Mars, we will have to grow our own food.” Canadian physician, engineer and former astronaut Robert Thirsk made that comment when asked a question on the preservation of seed at the Canadian Beef Industry Virtual Conference in late August. Since a space vessel cannot carry enough food to fly to, and then conduct […] Read more
Schoepp: The power of innovation is fuelling farms everywhere
Whether big like canola, niche like pig’s milk or unexpected like stinging nettles, there’s much to celebrate
Reading Time: 3 minutes I’ve seen and eaten some really amazing foods over the years. Cheese made from sow’s milk, rattlesnake, guinea pig, camel baked in cinnamon, insects and curious fish products. All made for memorable experiences — some that were more pleasant than others. I still cannot stomach camel or Vegemite, nor am I rushing out for grilled […] Read more
Schoepp: Farms have become foreign places for far too many people
How food is grown needs to be part of the conversation from grade school to college
Reading Time: 3 minutes A reporter standing in a farmer’s field opened her newscast with this statement: “I never thought of agriculture being part of food but it is true! They are related. We get food from agriculture!” This person was honestly quite excited about this new revelation and their first road trip down a dirt road. As the […] Read more
The food supply chain bent but did not break
But the pandemic also highlighted many weaknesses in a complex system with many parts
Reading Time: 3 minutes The food supply chain did not fail Canadian consumers in the first half of 2020 despite huge challenges. Yes, there were times when some product was sold out or limited, but emaciated shelves were short lived. Overall, consumers had adequate access to food and beverages from the Canadian food supply chain. The Canadian Agri-Food Policy […] Read more
We can put food at the centre of our national economy
We have a new appreciation for food systems, and a chance to capitalize on our strengths
Reading Time: 3 minutes Nature is the great equalizer. In just three months she took the world from assured continuance along the path of globalization and commercialism to world recognition of one simple fact — we all need to eat. For many years, there have been calls to recognize the importance of agriculture. I have been in that camp, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
