Apology demanded for Loblaw chief's comments

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

The executive director of Farmers’ Markets Ontario wants an “unconditional apology” from Loblaw chief Galen Weston for a remark he made at the Canadian Food Summit in Toronto on Tuesday.

According to a Toronto Star article on Wednesday, Weston, executive chairman of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest food retailer, told the summit, “Farmers markets are great . . .” but added, “One day they’re going to kill some people though.”

Robert Chorney, executive director of Farmers’ Markets Ontario and volunteer president of Farmers’ Markets Canada, says if he doesn’t mean it, “then he has a duty to immediately issue a full and unconditional apology to every farmer across this country who sells at a farmer’s market.”

There are 175 farmers’ markets in Ontario and 500 to 600 nationwide drawing farm products from 5,000 to 6,000 farmers. Sales nationally, Chorney says, were more than a billion dollars last year. In Ontario, he says, there were more than 15 million shopper visits and sales of $700 million.

Chorney, who also attended the summit, says he did not get to speak to Weston there but he has heard from Bob Chant, Loblaw senior vice-president of corporate affairs.

Chorney says Chant told him Weston was really trying to say there should be more food inspections and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency should get more involved with farms.

Chorney’s response: “I says, ‘Come on, he said it.’"

Julija Hunter, vice-president, public relations, Loblaw Companies Limited responded to an email request for an interview with Galen Weston. Hunter said Weston was not available for an interview but “we would like to offer you information and perspective on his behalf. 

“Galen firmly supports farmers markets and their growing role in the Canadian food system. He was at a conference speaking about the ways to strengthen the participation of small growers and producers in that system.

“He does not believe nor did he imply that farmers markets are less safe than any other forms of food distribution, including grocery stores.

“His point was that, as the food system evolves, food safety approaches must keep pace through appropriate resources devoted to inspections and certifications throughout the system.  His points were made to underscore that food safety is a serious issue and plays an important in the food system.

“By way of background and context, Galen was the keynote address at a food industry event on Feb. 7 and spoke about the need for a national food strategy.  He offered a perspective on what this could look like for Canada within three themes: maintain global competitiveness for Canada; ensure a healthy Canadian industry for the long term; and foster a production environment that keeps small farms viable. 

“We understand that the comments concerned or offended some and we regret this outcome; we hope this information and perspective helps clarify the situation.”

The two-day summit was put on by the Conference Board of Canada. Loblaw Companies Limited was the top sponsor. The event attracted people from government, agri-businesses, farms and community food organizations. BF