Producers shared their stories directly with consumers and government officials
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canadian farmers visited the country’s capital to share an important message yesterday.
Producers from supply-managed sectors hosted the Downtown Diner, an event where consumers can interact with farmers and learn how food is produced. Lynn Crawford, a celebrity chef, also served complementary meals to attendees.
“One of the main goals of the event was to try and bridge the gap between the farm and the plate,” Lyne Robichaud, senior public affairs officer for the Egg Farmers of Canada, told Farms.com today.
The pop-up diner provided members of the chicken, dairy, turkey and egg industries with a venue to answer the public’s questions about, and emphasize the importance of, Canada’s supply management systems.
“The event is a great opportunity to showcase (to consumers) how the system works for them,” Robichaud said. “It’s a system that allows Canadians to (access) Canadian food. We believe that it’s extremely important for food security, as well.”
Throughout the day, many government officials – including almost 40 members of parliament and senators, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – stopped by the diner to chat with farmers, Robichaud said.
Twitter photo
The industry groups received positive responses from attendees.
“It was a really good day,” she said. “We’re very proud.”
R-J-Seymour/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo