Food powerfully affects the economy, jobs, lifestyles, health and well-being, communities, and the environment. Yet, the lack of a shared national vision means that the opportunities and challenges of food have not been addressed fully in Canada.

The Canadian Food Strategy is a comprehensive, action-oriented framework developed to guide and stimulate change in food and the food system and achieve the advances Canadians want. It frames the problems and challenges and offers a broad-ranging set of goals and desired outcomes that, we believe, will greatly alter our food system for the better. Structured like a pyramid, the Strategy moves downwards from elements and strategic challenges to broad goals and desired outcomes; action strategies associated with each desired outcome; and a range of specific actions that stakeholders can take.

This report concludes by presenting three initiatives that the Centre for Food in Canada will undertake to continue its work on promoting the Canadian Food Strategy.

Chapter 1—Overview

• Why a Canadian Food Strategy?
• Structure of the Strategy

Chapter 2—Canadian Food Strategy—Five Elements

• Element: Industry Prosperity
• Element: Healthy Food
• Element: Food Safety
• Element: Household Food Security
• Element: Environmental Sustainability

Chapter 3—Canadian Food Strategy—8 Goals

• Element: Industry Prosperity
• Element: Healthy Food
• Element: Food Safety
• Element: Household Food Security
• Element: Environmental Sustainability

Chapter 4—Implementation

• Implementation Roles for Key Stakeholders
• Making Change Happen
• Learning From Best Practices

Chapter 5—Guide to Action Tool

Chapter 6—Conclusion and Next Steps

• Encouraging Implementation and Tracking Progress

Appendix A—Centre for Food in Canada Reports Used in Preparing the Canadian Food Strategy

Appendix B—Bibliography