Food Freedom Day - February 9, 2024

On Thursday, February 9th, 2024, a Canadian household of average income will have earned enough to pay for their entire year’s grocery bill.

While Canada’s food system continues to provide access to affordable food by global standards, inflation and other global events have negatively impacted food affordability and security greatly over the past few years.

Due to this, CFA continues to analyze Food Freedom Day with an eye to the differential impacts food prices have on Canadian households based on their income levels to show the percentage of disposable income that they spent on food last year.

Regional Spotlight: Yukon Agriculture

Nestled in the rugged wilderness of northern Canada, the Yukon Territory stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation. While renowned for its stunning landscapes, gold rush history, and vibrant Indigenous cultures, the Yukon also boasts a unique and resilient agriculture system. Agriculture in the Yukon is a tale of innovation, overcoming challenges, and harnessing the unique characteristics of the northern landscape to produce food in one of the most challenging environments in Canada.

Save Your Receipts Campaign Shows Financial Burden of Carbon Pricing on Farmers

In Canada, farmers have to grapple with the financial burden of the country's carbon pricing system. While the aim of carbon pricing is to curb emissions, many essential farming practices lack viable alternative fuel sources to reduce their carbon footprint. Consequently, carbon pricing places a financial burden on farmers without the potential of driving meaningful reductions in emissions. This strains farmers’ financial resources, constraining their capacity for investments in sustainable practices and technologies.

To shed light on the impact of carbon pricing, the Agriculture Carbon Alliance initiated the "Show Your Receipts" campaign, which gathered carbon tax receipts from farmers across the country. The campaign revealed that 50 farms collectively paid $329,644 in carbon taxes in a single month in 2023. With carbon pricing slated to increase, this figure is projected to reach $893,944 by 2030 for those same 50 farms.

Canadian Water Savings – Helping Farmers Cut Down and Save on Water Usage

In Canadian agriculture water is both a precious resource and a critical element for sustainable farming and farmers are always seeking to maximize efficiency and minimize costs. Canadian Water Savings leverages Smart Valve technology to empower farmers with the tools they need to improve their water management practices.