If you ate today, thank a farmer!

Today is Food Freedom Day for 2007 – the day when the average Canadian consumer has earned enough income to pay their individual grocery bill for the entire year.

“Today is a day for all Canadians to take a moment and reflect on the fact that we enjoy an abundant, safe and secure food supply here in Canada, at a relatively low cost. And that is thanks to one group of people: the farmers of Canada,” said Bob Friesen, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canada’s largest farmers’ organization.

According to the most recently available statistics, Canadians spend about 10.2 per cent of their disposable personal income on food and beverages. By February 6 Canadians will have earned 10.2 per cent of their income for the year.

Canadian farmers continue to take only a very small percentage of the consumers’ food dollar at the grocery store. The box of corn flakes that cost almost $3.50 in the grocery store pays only $0.11 to the farmer who grew the corn. At the same time Canadian farmers have continued to improve the environmental sustainability of their operations and implement innovative new programs to ensure the safety of food right from the farm gate.

“A home grown food supply is essential for a self-sufficient country, and a sustainable farming sector is essential in maintaining that home-grown food supply,” said Friesen. “Canadian consumers can do their part in supporting Canadian farmers by buying Canadian-made food. Remember: if you ate today, thank a farmer!”

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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.