Civil society organizations are among the most vociferous critics of the modern food system. Yet even after decades of campaigns, governments have failed to address health and sustainability issues in a systematic way. New approaches are in order, and this volume showcases the research of experts from various disciplines who argue that solutions lie not just in lobbying elected officials but rather in initiatives at the subparliamentary level. Case studies on a range of topics, from breastfeeding and sustainable pest management promotion to programs such as Canada’s Action Plan on Food Security, tell a story of misguided campaigns and missed opportunities. Real change, this inspiring volume suggests, is possible. It will come when advocacy groups develop innovative strategies of influencing decision makers more resistant to public pressure: business lobbies well connected to government agencies, middle managers, and ministries unused to collaborating across departmental mandates.

This 2005 report provides an economic overview of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food system. It begins by looking at the contribution of the system to the whole economy, then each segment of the agri-food chain is reviewed, going upstream from consumers to food distribution, food, beverage and tobacco (FTB) processing, primary agriculture, all the way to input supply. Charts, figures and tables with brief accompanying texts are used to summarize information and to provide base performance indicators. This report is meant to be a multi-purpose reference document to provide: an introduction to the agriculture and agri-food system; a snapshot of structural changes that are occurring throughout the system in response to various factors; and background data and information to inform public discussions on issues facing Canadian agriculture.

Policy-related challenges to building community-based agriculture and food systems that are ecologically sustainable and socially just are also highlighted.

Consists of graphs and commentary on various aspects of the Canadian agri-food system. Information is included on the contribution of the agri-food system to the overall economy, agri-food employment, trade, farm sizes and numbers, herd sizes, cash receipts by commodity group, farm finances and incomes, land stewardship practices, food and beverage sector establishment numbers and size, food and beverage sector employment, value of production and profitability in that sector, foreign investment, and government support. Comparisons are made to data from previous years and, in some cases, to data from other countries.