The Grassroots Greenhouse 2021

An annual snapshot of public opinion about Canadian agriculture and food.

As enthusiastic advocates for the Canadian Agri-Food sector, Grassroots Public Affairs is pleased to release our third annual agriculture and food research public opinion poll.

Our approach for 2021 includes COVID-19 pandemic-related food questions, as well as repeated questions from past years so we can measure any change in public opinion.

Key findings for this year’s research include:

• –91% of Canadians are ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ confident in the food grown or produced domestically.
• –90% of Canadians are aware of the Canada Food Guide and its recommendations on healthy eating.
• –86% of Canadians endorse government support for the agriculture and agri-food sector – down from 92% 2020.
• –70% of Canadians have never visited an operational or commercial farm.
• –59% of Canadians are not interested in trying ‘lab grown meat’ if deemed safe to eat by the federal government.
• –47% of Canadians frequently check the labelling of a food item to inspect the ingredients or nutritional information.
• –44% of Canadians believe that agriculture and agri-food is of ‘very large importance’ to Canada’s national security and critical infrastructure – down from 59% in 2020.
• –43% of Canadians believe that agriculture and agri-food is of ‘very large importance’ to Canada’s economic landscape – down from 63% in 2020.
• –37% of Canadians believe the agri-food sector is likely to grow in the future– down from 44% in 2019.
• –24% of Canadians have a food allergy or food sensitivity.

Other key findings:

• Canadians hold very positive opinions of agriculture and agri-food; however, the intensity of these opinions has decreased in the past year.
• The majority of Canadians believe the most recent update to the Canada Food Guide increased the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. Plurality believe meat and dairy recommendations were reduced.
• Canadians see agriculture as having a positive impact on the environment.
• Canadians continue to believe the federal government should place the greatest level of prioritization of financial support for fruit and vegetable commodities.
• Canadians are consuming less red meat than they were a year ago, but are consuming more animal sources of protein such as eggs and fish.
• Consumption of plant-based proteins such as legumes and seeds has risen at a greater rate than plant-based protein products (made with soy or pea).
• Canadians are less willing to recommend a job or career in agriculture today than in 2019.

Special thanks to Food Banks Canada and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture for their participation.

View the ‘Greenhouse’ below:

For customized presentations on the findings, please contact us by email at info@grassrootspa.ca.