Measuring sustainability

In Canada, a national sustainability index is in the works

By Danny Kucharsky

CanaDa’S fOOD is among the safest and celebrate what Canada is doing very most sustainable in the world, according well, Fraser says. For example, Canada’s to a coalition of private and public sector livestock is arguably among the most groups—and they’re leading an effort to sustainable on the planet; and the councreate a national sustainability index for try has some world-leading companies Canada’s agri-food sector that will provide when it comes to sustainability. In 2019, scientific evidence to back these claims. for instance, Maple Leaf Foods—one of

Consumers “increasingly want to the members of the coalition—says it know where their food comes from, how became the world’s first major carbon it’s made, produced and supplied,” says neutral food company. “They invested David McInnes, coordinator of Bench- in plant-based companies, changed the marking Canada’s Agri-Food Sustaina- energy-efficiency of some of their plants bility Leadership Project. “We have an [and] mothballed old plants,” Fraser says. opportunity to respond to that.” There’s a lot of momentum for the

The index, which will be developed sustainability index, says Greg Northey, by producers and companies in collab- vice-president, corporate affairs at Pulse oration with non-industry and Canada, another coalition government stakeholders, will By member. A verifiable and credinclude a number of factors, quantifying ible index will showcase “the and will be inspired by the and demon unique characteristics of CanaUnited Nations’ Sustainable strating dian agriculture to the world.” Development Goals and the how food By quantifying and demonParis Accord emissions targets. is produced strating how food is produced “This is a unique and glob- and where and where it’s coming from, it al-leading initiative, because it’s coming will also give grocers an extra we’re taking a farm-to-retail from, it tool they can provide consumview of sustainability across will give ers, Northey adds. environmental, social and grocers an Canada has the advantage health and economic indica- extra tool that its food system is trusted tors,” McInnes says. they can and its brand is strong inter-

For grocers, this enables them provide nationally, “but we need to to provide consumers who are consumers back up the claims we make worried about the impact our because the bar for proof is food system has on the health and well rising,” McInnes says. Canada also has being of ecosystems with proof to support to demonstrate to domestic and export food product claims about sustainability, markets that our food system can remain he explains. productive in the face of climate change.

The goal is “to give consumers the As concerns grow about the health of sense of trust that our food is sustaina- the global food system, the timing for ble and safe” by providing data that will the index is right, according to McInnes. back up sustainability claims, says Evan “We have an opportunity to respond and Fraser, director of the Arrell Food Insti- create innovative food products that link tute at the University of Guelph, one of nutrition and sustainability.” He hopes the organizations supporting the index. the index will be published in late 2022

A sustainability index will also help or early 2023.

Fresh innovation

AT ITS FRESH WEEK virtual trade show and conference in April, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association named the winners of its 2021 New Product Showcase competition. From “inspired” salads to organic spuds, here are this year’s winning products: Best New Product – The Star Group’s

New Inspired Salads

Best Packaging Innovation – Mucci Farms’ Naked Leaf Living Basil

Best Snackable Product – LOOP Mission’s Probiotic Sodas

Best Organic Product – EarthFresh’s

Organic Golden, Red & Russet Potatoes

And the Best New Technology product was UNITEC Canada Fruit and Vegetables Technology Inc.’s Cherry Vision 3.0, which uses high-resolution cameras to scan and select cherries.