Agriculture industry keeps our food supply secure during COVID-19 crisis

While the world grapples with the upheaval caused by this global pandemic, a few things have become crystal clear. During times of crisis, people’s primary focus turns to the health and safety of those they love, and to making sure they have food.

This is a frightening realization. One of the things we have come to take for granted – that there will always be an abundant source of fresh, affordable and healthy food available to us – no longer feels as certain as it once was.

But as so many industries come to a grinding halt amid the need to slow the spread of this virus, there are certain industries that must go on. Healthcare professionals are on the front lines trying to keep us safe and we salute them for their work.

And we thank farmers, processors, input suppliers, the transportation and distribution sectors, and those selling food who are working to keep us all fed. But as farmers set out to do their work this spring, their minds are focused further out than most of ours. And that is important because the work farmers do in the coming weeks and months will be crucial to keeping this health crisis from becoming a hunger crisis.

A quick look back in history shows us how food insecurity can be the catalyst for devastating upheaval and war. One of the shortest paths to peace is perhaps through full stomachs. And we need calm and peace now more than ever as the world tries to control this virus. So we will all stand behind farmers as they bravely push forward.

The Canadian agriculture industry is poised to do its part and continue to supply safe, high quality food for both Canadians and those around the world that depend on it. Spring is upon us and it won’t be long until farmers are out planting the seeds that will become bountiful harvests of things like corn, wheat, soybeans and canola come summer and fall. And our fruit and vegetable sector will be hard at work making sure Canadians can enjoy fresh local tomatoes, cucumbers, berries, peaches and so much more.

There are few professions that are as resilient as agriculture. It’s an industry that is subject to a great deal of variables it simply has no control over – not the least of which is weather. And yet despite devastating flooding one year or crippling drought another, the agriculture sector adapts and continues to deliver so that Canadians remain fed even in times of crisis.

We are confident the Government of Canada recognizes the level of importance of food production, processing and distribution during this critical time and will make every necessary effort to enable its continued success.

But making sure we have a stable food supply takes the unbridled commitment and dedication of the entire value chain. And we’ve seen a strength and resolve throughout the value chain over this last little while – from input suppliers, shippers, manufacturers, processors, farmers, retailers and restaurants – that should give us all a sense of comfort that regardless of how all of our individual lives have changed, those who are responsible for our food supply are finding a way to go on.

Farmers, and others who help to provide us with sustenance, are an essential service and they take that responsibility very seriously. While we all take the necessary precautions to limit our social interactions, don’t forget to make the extra effort to thank a grocery store employee for their work or thank a farmer or anyone else involved in food production on social media for the critical part they are playing to put food on our tables during this challenging time.

Pierre Petelle, president and CEO, CropLife Canada
Ron Lemaire, president, Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Tyler Bjornson, president, Canada Grains Council
Tyler McCann, interim executive director, Canadian Seed Trade Association
Garth Whyte, president and CEO, Fertilizer Canada
Ron Davidson, executive director, Soy Canada
Cam Dahl, president, Cereals Canada
Erin Gowriluk, executive director, Grain Growers of Canada
Greg Cherewyk, president, Pulse Canada
Jim Everson, president, Canola Council of Canada
Rick White, president and CEO, Canadian Canola Growers Association
Barry Friesen, general manger, Cleanfarms