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Access to Healthy, Affordable Food Remains Top Priority for Canadians

New research reveals Canadians' desire to know more about food and our food system
 
Canadians are most concerned with the rising cost of food and the affordability of healthy food for the third year in a row in the latest research released by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI).
 
When asked to rate their level of concern on a number of issues ranging from health care, economy and unemployment to climate change and rising energy costs, Canadians indicated they're most concerned about the rising cost of food (67 percent). Keeping healthy food affordable was rated second, together with rising energy costs and rising health care costs, all at 63 percent. Rounding out the top five concerns for Canadians was the safety of food imported from outside of Canada at 55 percent.
 
"The results tell us today's consumers are not only looking for affordable food options, they are also unsure about many aspects about food and the food system and are looking to know more from credible sources," said Crystal Mackay, CCFI president. 
 
Four in ten Canadians are unsure if the food system is headed in the right direction. After a significant increase in 2017, survey results show a sizable drop in the number of consumers who feel Canada's food system is headed in the right direction - just over one third (36 percent) in 2018 compared to 43 percent in 2017. 
 
The overall impression of agriculture in Canada also decreased for the first time in twelve years - falling from 61 percent in 2016 to 56 percent in the latest survey. This follows a steady increase since 2006. The decline in positive impressions is driven by a significant increase in Canadians who say they don't know enough about agriculture and food to have an opinion (12 percent in 2018, compared to only 2 percent in 2016). 
 
"This research demonstrates that the food system can't take trust for granted; it must be earned," said Mackay. "Canadians desire balanced, credible information about food so they can feel confident in their decisions for themselves and their families. It's up to the entire food chain to turn up the volume and efforts to openly share information about food and how it's produced, processed and packaged with consumers."
Source : FOOD INTEGRITY

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Our Amazing Grasslands ~ Larry Wagner

Video: Our Amazing Grasslands ~ Larry Wagner, Brule County, South Dakota



“Maintaining grass is crucial for building soil health. In the winter, the grass captures snow providing moisture retention. This helps keep the roots alive and growing throughout the year, benefiting the overall microbial activity in the soil. This practice is particularly important, especially in years with challenging weather conditions.” ~Larry Wagner

The South Dakota Grassland Coalition (SDGC) partnered with the organizations listed below to enhance the Grassland Planner with a release of a short video story each month during 2024, promoting healthy soils, grasslands, and ecosystems. Please enjoy the "Our Amazing Grasslands" feature story for January 2024.

2024 Grassland Stewardship Communications Project Partners: SDGC, Audubon Dakota, Ducks Unlimited, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, The Nature Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and South Dakota State University.

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