$1-billion local food industry highlighted during Alberta Local Food Week

Aug 14, 2019

From the Government of Alberta:

“Alberta has some of the world’s best farmers, food producers and processors. Now is a great time to step up and show support for Alberta’s agriculture industry. I encourage Albertans to buy local food, meet a farmer in their community and get to know the people who put food on their tables.” Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

Alberta Local Food Week runs Aug. 11-18 this year. There are many ways to go local, such as visiting local producers, growers, distillers and brewers, shopping the local food section in your grocery store, eating at a restaurant that serves local food or visiting your community farmers market.

“We have some awesome products made in Alberta – maybe even more than people realize. Local Food Week and Open Farm Days is a chance to showcase different farmers, producers and markets.” Jason Andersen, vice-president, Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association.

Alberta Local Food Week wraps up with the popular Open Farm Days, which offers Albertans opportunities to visit local farms to get a better understanding of where their food comes from and sample the diversity and abundance of food produced in Alberta.

“We are well on our way to educating people about food and animal husbandry, but we can always do more. Local Food Week gives us that opportunity to reach people and develop our industry. I enjoy being a part of the conversation about where food comes from.” Susan Schafers, and co-chair, Alberta Local Food Council.

Local food sales from farmers markets and through direct-to-consumer channels have more than doubled since 2008 and exceeded $1 billion last year.

Continuing to support the growth of the local food industry is an important step in renewing the Alberta Advantage and getting Albertans back to work.

Click here to see more...

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.