Food and Farming across the Golden Horseshoe
Trends for 2022

“As COVID-19 continues to significantly impact the hospitality industry, how we dine in 2022 continues to change,” Restaurants Canada shares. In the same article, they go on to highlight some food and beverage trends shaping Canada’s restaurant and hospitality industry in 2022.

From ingredient awareness, B2B waste reduction platforms, and responsible packaging, to meal upcycling, robot retail, subscriptions and more, there are some interesting trends to explore and businesses to read about who are leading the way.
A new study by WWF-Canada, led by researchers at McMaster University’s Remote Sensing Laboratory, and supported by Maple Leaf Foods and the Metcalf Foundation, reveals for the first time how much carbon is stored in Canada’s landscapes, and the locations of the most carbon-rich areas. It’s the first-ever analysis of its kind and has major implications for conservation actions.
Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO) has partnered with the City of Brampton to identify workforce barriers and find solutions to the growing labour crisis for food and beverage processors in the region. The new pilot is part of FBO’s CareersNOW! initiative that is connecting job seekers and students with employers in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry.
Are you seeking a deeper understanding of urban agriculture and the greening of cities? This winter, RUniversity's Certificate Program in Urban Agriculture is offering two online courses: Understanding Urban Agriculture and Urban Agriculture Policy Making. The winter session starts January 17th and registration is open until January 24, 2022.
Are you an aspiring or new urban farmer interested in the emerging field of vertical farming? The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), York Region and Durham Region are collaborating on a free four-part webinar series, Vertical Farming 101, to take place throughout February.
Agri-Food in York Region

York Region has released a new video offering a tour of their agriculture and agri-food sector! Check it out here to learn about local food companies in the area, agricultural lands and more.

In November, York Region hosted a successful 2021 Agri-Food Forum in collaboration with OMAFRA. Over the two-day event, more than 200 attendees joined to listen and learn from an engaging lineup of over 60 speakers.

The forum provided an opportunity to showcase York Region’s diverse agriculture and agri-food sector, which includes over 700 farm-based businesses and 270 food and beverage manufacturers and distributors.
Funding & Support Available
The federal and provincial governments are providing financial support to help farmers and agri-food workplaces manage and identify transmission risks to protect their workforces from COVID-19.

Through Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), farmers and agri-food businesses can access professional advice and consulting services for relevant needs. Workplaces may be eligible for two days of services (worth $2,000 - paid for by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership). Learn more here.

The following workplaces are eligible:

  • Employers, farm sector organizations and farm associations
  • Provincially licensed meat plants
  • Other food processors who employ 1-49 employees

WSPS, in collaboration with OMAFRA, is also offering a series of free live webinars specific for agri-food businesses to help them stay up-to-date on legislative updates, new and
emerging hazards, and trending topics in response to COVID-19. Learn more about this series here.

Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance