Which of these products are canola crops used for?
build these competencies
meanings of sustainability
Consider what sustainability involves. Sustainability is usually described with three main elements: social, environmental and economic. These elements can also be described as people, the planet and people’s ability to make a living.
Watch this original project AGRICULTURE video interview to find out how two Alberta farmers address sustainability.
What evidence of each of these elements of sustainability can you identify?
local and global food systems
Most Canadian farms – over 97 percent- are family owned and operated. These family farms contribute to a sustainable food system. Family farms also make Canada the fifth largest exporter of agricultural and agri-food products in the world, behind the European Union, the United States, Brazil and China.
Consider the following facts.
- Wheat is Canada’s largest acreage field crop, which means it is grown on the largest area of land compared to other crops
- Canada exports its wheat to over 60 countries, and specifically, its durum wheat to over 35 countries
- Canada is the fourth-largest barley producer and the second-largest malt exporter in the world
- Canada grows 31 percent of the world’s canola, making it the world’s top producer and exporter
- Canada also grows 39 percent of the world’s pulses, making Canada the world’s largest producer and exporter of lentils and peas
- Canada produces 71 percent of the world’s maple products, which include maple syrup and maple sugar
- We also produce 40 percent of the world’s flaxseed
- Canada produces 52 percent of the world’s mustard, making it one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of mustard seed
- In 2016, Canadians represented about half a percent of the world’s population, produced about 1.5 percent of the food in the world and consumed about 0.6 percent of the world’s food
How would you consider the foods that come from these crops to be sustainable foods?
SOURCE: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Statistics Canada
Both local and non-local food play a role in the whole Canadian food system. Local food systems can support communities and family farms. Canada’s part in the global food system can do the same. Canada is a net agricultural exporter.
However, many Canadians expect to have access to a wide variety of foods year-round. This means that agricultural commodities other than those grown and produced in Canada are brought in from other countries.
How would you know if foods from global food systems are sustainable? How could you find out?
the difference between local food and sustainable food
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Infographic from Agriculture in the Classroom Canada and Pulse Canada.
Local food is often, but not always, the same as sustainable food.
A local food system “shortens” the distance between the producer and the consumer. This means that less energy can be used packaging and transporting the food. Local foods support communities. Farmers markets are an example.
Although there are not many recent statistics on the popularity of farmers markets, one study from 2016 in Ontario found that:
- Markets are growing as a trusted source for fresh local food.
- Some farmers are increasing their income with farmers markets.
- Farmers market sales are encouraging farmers to grow new varieties and increase the amount of land they use to grow products they can sell at markets.
It also found that most farmers who participate in farmers markets believe demand for local food is on the rise.
