Food Day Canada is tomorrow, August 1, and the whole country will celebrate with festivals show-casing local products, producers and chefs. As usual… The fête will officially kick off with the annual World’s Longest BBQ bash in Scenic Elora, Ontario…
The Organizers of The World’s Longest BBQ in Elora, Ontario.
Late founder Anita Stewart pictured in the poster, centre…
Canada Food Say is observed separately from World Food Day (which comes up Friday, October 16 this year). That’s so our celebration isn’t eclipsed by the global ‘party’.
And, as the official FDC website tells us, we have a lot to celebrate!
According to the latest official Agriculture Canada count, in 2024, the whole agriculture and agri-food system:
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- employed 2.3 million people
- provided 1 in 9 jobs in Canada
- generated $149.2 billion (around 7 percent) of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP)
Food Day Canada
The website ‘About’ page sets the scene: “Food Day Canada engages and inspires everyone to shop, cook & dine Canadian. It’s a chance for all Canadians to join hands in one massive celebration in praise of our farmers and fishers, our chefs and researchers and, above all, our home cooks.”
And there’s a special angle: The organizers want you to pledge your support! You can sign up for Food Day Canada newsletters and other ‘membership benefits’ by signing the FDC Pledge: “Yes! I pledge to support Food Day Canada and shine a light on Canadian food and farming on August 1, 2026!”
You can take the Pledge under several different categories:
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- Farmer or Fisher
- Organization, Company, Education Institution, Government
- Event & Farmers’/Local Food Market
- Restaurant & Chef
- Or simple as a proud Canadian!
Once you’re a member, you’re encouraged to, “Share your stories on how you’re celebrating Canadian food & farming with #FoodDayCanada online. Tag us @FoodDayCanada and invite your friends to join in!”
Celebrations near you…
There’s an interactive map on which you can locate FDC partner restaurants and events near you. There’s at least one celebration in each provincial capital and here in Ottawa!
And FDC website reminds us we can all celebrate – even by organizing a block party, or just by mak-ing our Saturday backyard BBQ a special event:
“Food Day Canada was originally created as the World’s Longest Barbecue, by Anita Stewart, her fam-ily and a number of pioneering supporters, in an effort to show support for Canada’s beef farmers and ranchers. The mission to actively promote the growth and study of our distinctively Canadian food culture is evident in the media, social media and event presence that helps elevate the con-versations around #FoodDayCanada.”
And FDC website reminds us we can all celebrate – even by organizing a block party, or just by mak-ing our Saturday backyard BBQ a special event…
My take
If you need a little push… The website provides an array of authentic Canadian recipes to get you started!
I’m one proud Canadian who’s taken the FDC pledge. If you love cooking, Canadian food and its rich traditions, you should sign up, too.
Truth is, we can all celebrate Canadian food and agriculture every day of the year!
~ Maggie J.