Who Grows Our Food?
It has been a long time since Canadians have grown most of their own food. Today, most of us are able to buy all the food we need, yet spend about 10% of our income on it — far less than we did 100 years ago. At that time, half of every dollar was spent on food, although many people grew some of their own.
Farming now and then
The average Canadian farm today produces food for more than 100 people, whereas the same farm likely fed only about 12 people one hundred years ago. The nature of Canadian farms has also changed over the past century, with upgraded equipment and buildings, and innovative farming methods.
A canola field with a greenhouse
in the background
Courtesy of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Courtesy of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Spreading ashes on an Ontario farm, ca. 1898
Archives of Ontario
C 152-0-0-0-13
