Celebrate Canadian Food with Great Ingredients, Top Chefs, Amazing Farmers and Canada’s Most Iconic Icon, the CN Tower 

Fifteen years ago in 2003, our borders were closed to Canadian beef. It may have been an economic disaster, but it was not a culinary one. In response, The World’s Longest Barbecue was born: Canadians rallied, went to their grills, and barbecued Canadian beef to show their support. According to one spokesperson for Canada Beef, this event “saved the industry.” Over the years, many renowned Canadian chefs have joined the annual party, renamed Food Day Canada / Journée des terroirs, which is a national celebration of local food (always celebrated on the August long weekend).

This year, on August 4^th with our chefs’ community and producers across Canada, we will celebrate Food Day Canada’s 15th year anniversary by lighting the most recognizable – and tallest – beacon in the Western Hemisphere, Toronto’s glorious CN Tower.

Today we face similar, perhaps even graver challenges. As Dr. Owen Roberts, the President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, states: “Our food system is under fire. No matter how the politics plays out nationally or globally, this is a time for fierce loyalty and coordinated action.”

So rather than lament, we challenge all Canadians to have a party and honour our own ingredients, with one simple goal, culinary sovereignty. AND YOU ARE INVITED!

It’s simple really, and delicious. Simply eat Canadian food on August 4th and celebrate our country’s agricultural glory!

Canada’s food community is coming together to declare Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs, as Canada’s Local Food Day.

Shop like a Canadian. Cook like a Canadian. Eat like a Canadian.

Pick a restaurant from the list here, or cook up a feast yourself. Invite your friends and neighbours to do the same!