The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) has released the results of its 2022 Public Trust Research, finding that the cost of food remains the top concern for Canadians and is the main factor influencing purchasing decisions. Not only has the rate of concern for the cost of food increased significantly, but it has also reached a tracking high. While consumers worry about day-to-day issues such as their grocery bills, they also count on the food system -- from farm to plate -- to proactively address threats such as climate change and other sustainability issues.

“The Canadian food system must demonstrate to consumers that we are listening and pro-actively responding to their concerns," said John Jamieson, president and CEO of the CCFI. The more informed Canadians are about the food system, the more positively they feel about the food they eat and the people who produce it.”

The CCFI’s research results indicate that Canadians understand that climate change and related environmental issues are one of the greatest threats our food system is facing. To that effect, the food system must demonstrate leadership in its efforts to confront climate change and communicate its innovative sustainability efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of Canada’s food system.

This year’s research also revealed that after a two-year “COVID-boost” towards the food system, consumer attitudes have largely fallen back in-line with pre-pandemic levels. Canadians are far more pre-occupied with daily pocket-book issues such as inflation, cost of food and energy.

For the full report, link here: https://bit.ly/3TaOcK1

Source: Centre for Food Integrity October 25, 2022 news release