FVGC says it is disappointed with government’s budget plan, which it says overlooks need for more secure domestic supply
The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) has accused the country’s government of missing a “critical opportunity” to address food insecurity and improve public access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
“The Fall Economic Statement was a missed opportunity to address the real challenges facing Canadian growers and food security,” said Marcus Janzen, president of FVGC.
The association said it had identified key priorities where government action was urgently required to protect Canada’s food future.
These include improvements to labour programmes, pest management systems, climate change mitigation, and energy efficiency, so growers could continue to compete with imports and provide consumers with a diverse range of affordable, homegrown fruits and vegetables.
“We’ve seen what pragmatic solutions can accomplish, like the recent adoption of Bill C-280 by the Senate,” Janzen continued. “By implementing similarly practical solutions, we can reduce costs, strengthen domestic production, and ensure Canadian-grown food remains accessible to families across the country.”
Without immediate action, the group said, Canada risked being more dependent on imported fruit and vegetables, pushing up retail prices, and losing farms.
“Food security is not a luxury; it’s a necessity,” said Massimo Bergamini, executive director at the FVGC. “By applying a food lens to policy decisions, we can strengthen Canada’s food system, support growers, and ensure every Canadian has access to fresh, high-quality food produced here at home.”
