For the third year since surveys began, Canadians continue to say food is too expensive.
The surveys are conducted by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI).
When asked to rate their level of concern on a number of issues ranging from health care, economy and unemployment to climate change and rising energy costs, Canadians indicated they’re most concerned about the rising cost of food (67 percent).
Keeping healthy food affordable was rated second, together with rising energy costs and rising health care costs, all at 63 percent.
Canadians ranked the safety of imported food their fifth concern.
“The results tell us today’s consumers are not only looking for affordable food options, they are also unsure about many aspects about food and the food system and are looking to know more from credible sources,” said Crystal Mackay, president of the CCFI.
More Canadians think the Canadian food system is not headed in the right direction – 40 per cent now compared with 36 per cent last year.
The overall impression of agriculture also decreased for the first time in 12 years - falling from 61 percent in 2016 to 56 percent in the latest survey. This follows a steady increase since 2006.
The decline in positive impressions is driven by a significant increase in Canadians who say they don’t know enough about agriculture and food to have an opinion (12 percent in 2018, compared to only two percent in 2016).
“This research demonstrates that the food system can’t take trust for granted; it must be earned,” said Mackay. “Canadians desire balanced, credible information about food so they can feel confident in their decisions for themselves and their families.
“It’s up to the entire food chain to turn up the volume and efforts to openly share information about food and how it’s produced, processed and packaged with consumers.”
The 2018 web-based survey was completed in July by 1,509 respondents who reflect the general Canadian consumer population aged 18 or older.
