Food Day Canada (to be held again on Saturday, July 31st, 2021) is a chance for all Canadians to join hands in one massive celebration in praise of our farmers and fishers; our chefs and researchers…and, above all, our home cooks.
Get Involved! You can head to one of our enthusiastic Food Day Canada restaurants to enjoy an unequalled repast or you can plan your own party! Absolutely Anywhere! Paddle to a distant shore to light a campfire…barbecue some fish …sweep off the deck for a neighbourhood supper….dig a roasting pit….build an oven … fire up the grill…and use only Canadian ingredients to create a feast or a simple dinner that honours our extraordinary culinary history and points the way to the future, together.
And never, ever be afraid to haul out your soapbox to tell retailers to provide more Canadian ingredients, with hopefully less packaging, so you can eat this way all year round!
Food Day Canada is the time and place for Canadians to share their food and their stories with each other while leading other nations in cultural diversity, food ethics, magnificent flavours … and fun! We know how to throw a great party, so LET’S SHOW THE WORLD!
Contact: info@andrewd95.sg-host.com
The Journey
It began in 2003 as The World’s Longest Barbeque, a massive, Canada-wide response to the sanction of Canadian beef exports by our largest trading partner and the dramatic hardship it imposed on our agricultural community. The WLBBQ was a huge success and has evolved into Food Day Canada®, an annual mid-summer celebration, always held on the Saturday of the August long weekend, when we share Canada’s rich culinary heritage, our delicious northern bounty and the best managed food system on the planet.
Our Mission Statement
To Actively Promote the Growth and Study of
Our Distinctly Canadian Food Culture!
The People
Food Day Canada is a showcase of my life’s work and years of hard core, on the road, research. Since 1983, I have been traveling Canada’s vast expanse, identifying and writing about Canada’s essential nature as a regionally diverse food nation. Before “local, regional, seasonal” was in vogue, I was visiting the country inns, farmer’s markets, First Nations’ communities and the lighthouses of Canada. Today, I count among my friends some of Canada’s food leaders.
So far I’ve written 14 books and I honestly have no idea how many articles. But I have been published in all major Canadian news and food publications. I have been awarded a Doctor of Laws (Honouris Causa), a Master of Arts (Gastronomy) and is an honourary lifetime member of the Canadian Culinary Federation of Chefs and Cooks (CCFCC). In the spring of 2012, I was made a Member of the Order of Canada. ~~~ Anita Stewart, Culinary Activist and Chief Party Planner!
For more see: Anita’s Biography
And in the Wings!
Anna Fischer is a communications freelancer, business owner, and long time champion of local food. Her academic background is in education, and she is passionate about food literacy, and food sovereignty. She currently lives and works in Hamilton, Ontario, with her wife and their two delightful elderly beagles.
As Social Media Advisor for Food Day Canada, Colleen Tully’s goal is to ‘help take Food Day Canada’ to the next level of social media activity. She was the Web Food Editor at Canadian Living, a Senior Editor at Fresh Juice magazine and an instructor / guest lecturer in digital media at both Centennial College and at her alma mater, the University of Guelph. In other words, she’s one of Canada’s Social Media gurus.
Andrew Mayne handled both the long term and day to day operation of the Food Day Canada website for four years. He teaches at Durham College.
Brad Stewart played a major role in the evolution of The World’s Longest Barbecue to Food Day Canada. He helped to morph the idea of a national day of culinary celebration into solid reality and was instrumental in the creation of The University of Guelph’s Innovation Award.
