Record visits to food banks named Canada's top food story of 2024

Jan 09, 2025

When you think back to 2024, what were the most impactful food stories?

The Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University has released its Top 10 list of most impactful food stories that shaped Canada's agri-food landscape.

"The stories that define our food systems this year were more than headlines - they're a mirror reflecting our society's values, challenges, and resilience," says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab. "From rising food insecurity and environmental policies to technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviours, 2024 was a year of both disruption and opportunity."

The top story for 2024 was the record number of food bank visits. It says Canada's food insecurity rate reached an unprecedented 22.9 per cent, driven by soaring prices and inflation, emphasizing the need for stronger social safety nets. Dr. Charlebois says it was not difficult to pick the number one story.

"The working poor is definitely a group that is growing in Canada," says Dr. Charlebois. "People who are working, one, two, three jobs but still don't earn enough to pay for food to feed themselves and their loved ones. So, it's certainly a big, big topic."

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.