Reading Time: 4 minutes Beck Farms took an unorthodox approach to getting into the wholesale market when it was starting out in the mid-1980s — by selling directly to consumers. “We actually went to a few small farmers’ markets and had people try our carrots,” said Shelley Bradshaw, who owns Beck Farms with husband Rod. “We would say, ‘If […] Read more
Better together: Innisfail Growers is a testament to teamwork
The five farm families in the group have been successfully selling direct for more than 25 years
Ontario backs frozen vegetable plant upgrades
The Canadian arm of French vegetable processor Bonduelle will put up almost $80 million to upgrade and expand three of its frozen vegetable plants in southwestern Ontario, with provincial government backing. The province on Tuesday announced it will invest up to $8.5 million in Bonduelle Canada’s upgrades for its processing plants at Tecumseh, Ingersoll and […] Read more
Conagra to shed Canadian processed vegetable, fruit business
The company behind Arctic Gardens, Graves and Bonduelle canned and frozen vegetables in Canada is set to add the Del Monte brand to its roster. Conagra Brands, which makes and sells Del Monte processed fruits and vegetables in the Canadian market, announced Tuesday it will sell that business to France’s Bonduelle Group for $43 million. […] Read more
Winners of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2017 celebrated
National winners for Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer for 2017 were awarded on Dec. 1 to Derek & Tannis Axten of Axten Farms in Minton, Sask., and Véronique Bouchard & François Handfield of Ferme aux petits oignons at Mont-Tremblant, Que. “Once again, the seven regional finalists exceeded our expectations as innovative, forward thinking, young agricultural leaders. […] Read more
Root rot risk analysis tool could come online by next year
There are few things that pulse producers can do to manage root rots in their fields — but a new risk assessment tool could help
Reading Time: 3 minutes A new screening tool that will tell producers the risk of a root rot infection in their pulse crops could be available as early as next year. “At the moment, if producers are concerned about whether they have root rot in their field, they can take their soil to a commercial testing lab to determine […] Read more
New technologies are creating new ways to grow fresh produce
Vertical farming operations are popping up everywhere and this new technology can complement traditional agriculture
Reading Time: 3 minutes We were in Holland and our group stood in amazement at the growing capabilities of Koppert Cress. Owner Rob Baan, a policeman’s son turned world entrepreneur, was emphatic that neither soil nor light is needed to grow food — only heat. And all of those components could be provided by technology, he said. In a […] Read more
Produce sector needs help with CFIA changes
Low margins in the industry leave little capacity to cover rising research costs if an existing formula is scrapped
Reading Time: 2 minutes Sweeping regulatory changes at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and limited funds for research are among the challenges facing fruit and vegetable growers, says Ron Lemaire, president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. “The foundation for Canada’s fresh produce supply chain is made up of approximately 25,000 small-, medium- and large-size farms that produce vegetables, […] Read more
Revisions in the works for Canada’s Food Guide
Health Canada is planning changes to one of its key policy documents to reflect how Canadians’ diets are generally coming up short in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk alternatives. At the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Montreal on Monday, the federal health department launched a 45-day public consultation on changes to Canada’s Food Guide, […] Read more
Farmers return to vegetable patch as currency slumps
Reuters — Canadian farmers are cashing in on the highest vegetable prices in years, helped by the country’s weak currency and soaring costs of U.S. imports that have made them unexpected winners in a bearish commodity world. Soft wheat and canola prices may diminish Canadian farm incomes by nine per cent this year. But it […] Read more
UN international year to showcase pulses
Chair of Alberta Pulse Growers says event will boost competition and prompt more research and breeding
Reading Time: 2 minutes The United Nations International Year of Pulses is underway, and that’s good news for the province’s pulse producers, says the chair of Alberta Pulse Growers. “As IYP draws attention to big global issues like nutrition, food security, and environmental sustainability, this crop — which is a Canadian success story — is only going to get […] Read more
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