Food Freedom Day. It’s February 12th, and it’s the day that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture realizes when the average Canadian has earned enough money to pay their individual grocery bill for the entire year.

Why 43 days to food freedom?

43 days represents the time it takes to for a Canadian to earn approximately 11.9% of their disposable income – the average cost of the annual Canadian grocery bill. However, the 2010 Food Freedom day date is later in 2009 and 2010 than it has been in previous years. The increasing retail cost of food and the effects of recession on disposable income have taken their toll. What is also noticeably different over the years, is the increasing difference between the cost of food, and what producers receive for their work. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has compiled 30 years of data to highlight this shift.

Celebrating Canadian Agriculture.

At AdFarm, Food Freedom Day is an opportunity to celebrate Canadian farmers and the success of agriculture in supplying one of the safest, most abundant and affordable food supplies in the world.

We hosted a breakfast event with food supplied by a successful local agricultural business – Sunterra Market. We took time to recognize our clients, our partners, our farmers, producers and industry peers who work play a critical role in putting food on the table. And we paid our success forward with a food drive to support members of our local community who may have to work just a little bit longer or harder to achieve their own food freedom.

What do you think can be done to increase the farm gate returns for producing safe food?

Shawna Robinson works hard on behalf of her clients every day to champion their brands, execute to strategy and deliver insightful, impactful work. She can be reached directly at Shawna.Robinson@adfarmonline.com