Public health advice tells us to buy local. Can Canada’s food system keep up?

July 26, 2026 - 18:24

Public health officials have long urged Canadians to buy local food, but a new question is emerging: can the country's food system actually keep up with that demand? The call to support nearby farms and processors sounds simple, but it bumps into a web of challenges that go far beyond the grocery aisle.

A truly resilient food system, experts say, requires connecting affordability, trade policy, food safety, biosecurity, regional infrastructure, and emergency preparedness long before the next disruption hits. Right now, Canada imports a significant share of its fresh produce during winter months, and much of its food processing is concentrated in a few regions. That leaves the system vulnerable to supply chain shocks, labor shortages, and climate events.

Buying local sounds good in theory, but it often costs more. Small-scale producers struggle to compete with large, centralized distributors. Cold storage, transportation networks, and slaughterhouse capacity are unevenly spread across the country. Without investment in regional hubs, the local food movement may remain a niche choice for wealthier households.

Meanwhile, food safety and biosecurity rules, designed for industrial-scale operations, can be hard for smaller farms to navigate. And trade agreements mean that some imported foods are cheaper than domestic ones, even when accounting for shipping.

The real test is not just whether Canadians want local food, but whether the system can deliver it reliably, safely, and at a price most people can afford. That will take coordinated work from farmers, governments, and retailers, not just a slogan.