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Ag in brief: Canadian ag ministry launches communications initiative, AGRIS lends a hand

Canadian government launches AgriCommunications Initiative

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have launched a new initiative, the AgriCommunications Initiative. The ultimate goal is to provide better connection and communication for Canadian farmers. The initiative has two streams. The first aim is to help the Canadian public better understand where their food comes from. With up to $8 million committed over three years, this stream will focus on projects that promote consumer awareness of Canada’s ag sector. Eligible recipients include not-for-profit associations and Indigenous groups. Also part of the first stream, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will launch awareness activities in the spring of 2022 to highlight the sector’s sustainability and environmental efforts.

The second stream will focus on increasing the sector’s understanding of consumer preferences and expectations. More details on this aspect will be released in the coming months.

AGRIS gives back

AGRIS Co-Operative has made a $15,000 donation to Harvest Hands, a centralized food distribution bank rescuing surplus food from retailers, bakers and growers to help agencies and thousands of families throughout Southwestern Ontario.

Jim Anderson, AGRIS ownership committee chair, said in a statement that the board was largely motivated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. “We knew people are still having a tough time feeding their families, and we wanted to continue to help.”