Aug. 2, 2012, Toronto — In advance of Food Day Canada celebrations on
Aug. 4, a new BMO survey underscores Canadians’ commitment to local
food.
Aug. 2, 2012, Toronto — In advance of Food Day Canada celebrations on Aug. 4, a new BMO survey underscores Canadians’ commitment to local food.
The BMO study suggests that most Canadians try to buy local products when they shop for groceries and are willing to pay a premium to put local food on their kitchen tables. On average, Canadians are willing to pay 16 per cent more for domestic fruits and vegetables and 19 per cent more for Canadian meat products.
The study also revealed that:
• Canadians are most likely to buy Canadian food products when grocery shopping for vegetables (91 per cent), fruit (86 per cent), poultry (84 per cent), cheese (81 per cent), and beef (78 per cent).
• The number one benefit cited for buying Canadian food when grocery shopping is supporting Canadian producers (28 per cent). Freshness (14 per cent), the environment (10 per cent), and safety (9 per cent) are also recognized as top benefits.
“BMO research suggests that Canadians are becoming increasingly loyal to the notion of buying local food, particularly fruits and vegetables, cheese, beef and poultry,” said David Rinneard, national manager, agriculture, BMO Bank of Montreal.
“Consumers appreciate the quality of food produced by local farm families and recognize the importance of supporting an agricultural sector that accounts for one in eight jobs in Canada.”
The Food Day Canada movement was founded in 2003 by Anita Stewart, a culinary activist.
Starting this weekend, 250 restaurants across Canada will offer a special menu with Canada-only selections, and a number of awards will be given out for particularly creative options.
There is also a Do-It-Yourself Guide, so no matter where Canadians find themselves – in the kitchen, at the backyard BBQ, or a riverside campsite – they can also “Join the Party” and celebrate local food.
REGIONAL TRENDS
Canadians’ buy-local orientation is strongest for those food items for which their regions are renowned: in British Columbia, fruit and wine, beef in Alberta and the Prairies, fruits and vegetables Ontario, cheese in Quebec and fish in Atlantic Canada.
• Ontarians and British Columbians are willing to pay the highest premium for Canadian-made products, in particular fresh fruits and vegetables and meat products.
• Atlantic Canadians are the most likely to buy Canadian food products when they shop for groceries. This local orientation is most pronounced when it comes to fish (Atlantic Canada: 60 per cent, Canada: 53 per cent).
• Ontario and British Columbia residents are the most likely to buy Canadian when they shop for wine, reflecting the vibrant wine industries in those two provinces.
• Albertans are the most likely to buy local when they shop for beef (83 per cent).
• Quebecers are the most likely to buy their local food from fruit and vegetable stands.
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