Centre for Food in Canada (CFIC)

The Conference Board of Canada has launched a major, multi-year initiative—the Centre for Food in Canada (CFIC)—to address one of the mega-issues facing our country today. Food impacts Canadians in an extraordinary range of ways. It affects our lives, our health, our jobs, and our economy.

Purpose of the Centre

The twin purposes of the Centre for Food in Canada are: 

• to raise public awareness of the nature and importance of the food sector to Canada’s economy and society; and 
• to create a shared vision for the future of food in Canada—articulated in a framework for a Canadian Food Strategy that will meet our country’s need for a coordinated, long-term strategy for change.

The work involves a combination of research and effective communications to stimulate public understanding of the significance of the food sector and spur the demand for collaborative action.

The Centre is working closely with leaders and partners from Canada’s food sector, governments, educational institutions, and other organizations to achieve its goals.

Developing a Framework for a Canadian Food Strategy

There already is a growing public appetite for action on food issues, largely driven by crisis and media attention. In addition, there is a growing sentiment toward taking a more proactive approach to food that moves us beyond responses to problems and threats. For these reasons, leaders have come together, through the Centre for Food in Canada, to shape a major new Canadian Food Strategy.

The Centre is taking a holistic approach to food. It focuses on food in Canada through three inter-related but distinct lenses: safe and healthy food, food security, and food sustainability. These lenses ensure that the Centre will be focused on the full range of important issues facing the food sector.

This is an opportunity to meet your Canadian and international peers and learn, discuss, and debate the latest on food issues and trends, and contribute to developing the Canadian Food Strategy.