Food costs and income are relative Thursday, May 2, 2013 According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, citizens of Cameroon, a state in Central Africa, spend $9 per household on food and drink every week. Compared to the United States, where food costs $43, it sounds look a good deal. But the $9 amounts to 47 per cent of a Cameroonian's weekly income compared to eight per cent of an American's. High percentage of income expenditures on food and drink in the developing world aren't a surprise to most in North America. More of a surprise might be the less-than-enviable spending by residents of Belarus. Residents of the former Soviet Republic spend $26 a week, 42 per cent of their income. Economic growth and population are going backwards. Compare that to India, where food costs are $5/day/household and 27 per cent of income. Neighbouring Pakistan is $7 a day, and 43 per cent of income on food. A chart, published on the website of Britain's The Economist, shows that country and the United States tied for spending per person per week on food at $43. The difference is that the food and beverage spending in Britain is about 13 per cent of income, while it is eight per cent of an American's income. Canada isn't among the 22 countries on the chart. Hard to say if the Brits consider us a colony or the 51st state. BF Who's more responsible - the porn industry or the food sector? Behind the Lines - May 2013
Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag Friday, July 24, 2026 A new two-year pilot project is designed to help livestock farmers in Quebec by giving them access to an Ontario abattoir. The project, a collaboration between the Quebec and Ontario governments, with additional support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would see a limited... Read this article online
Canada Opens Interprovincial Alcohol Sales Thursday, July 23, 2026 A major change to Canada's internal marketplace is set to create new opportunities for wineries, breweries and distilleries after nine provinces signed a landmark agreement allowing direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages across participating jurisdictions. The deal is being hailed... Read this article online
Heat and Rain have led to a challenging growing season for Cauliflower Growers in Ontario. Thursday, July 23, 2026 There are only 1,225 acres dedicated to growing cauliflower in Ontario, but they produce 14,545,000 lbs of the vegetable. Growers across key vegetable-producing regions are preparing for increased shipments of locally grown cauliflower to grocery stores, restaurants, wholesalers and... Read this article online
Who Knew so Much Canadian Watermelon is Grown in Ontario Thursday, July 23, 2026 Many consumers may think of watermelon as an exotic fruit, but Ontario grows about2,000 acresof watermelons each year, more than 35,084tonnesof watermelon.Watermelonharvest now is underway. Watermelon originated in northeastern Africa, particularly in the region that today includes Sudan... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Harvest One of Canada’s Top Carrot Crops Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Carrots are among Ontario's most important vegetable crops, contributing significantly to local food production and year-round fresh produce availability. Ontario grows the most carrots of any Canadian province – 45% of the country’s carrots. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario... Read this article online