Food Day Canada was founded Anita Stewart, U of G’s former and first food laureate.
On July 30, the University of Guelph will celebrate Food Day Canada, an event that highlights Canadian cuisine and all those who help bring food to the table.
According to a U of G release, Food Day Canada was founded Anita Stewart, U of G’s former and first food laureate. She passed in 2020 and was a culinary journalist, food historian, and self-described food activist and disruptor. The university created the Anita Stewart Memorial Food Laboratory “where community members can learn about and be inspired by Canadian food.”
Food Day Canada started in 2003 when Stewart hosted the World’s Longest Barbecue to support beef farmers during the bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis. Since then, the celebration has been held annually on the Saturday of the civic holiday weekend.
This year, the University of Guelph will highlight its contributions to Canada’s food story by exploring what goes into our food and how institutions support Canadian producers and communities.
Namely, local researchers are looking to develop plant-based cheeses, create a natural orchard compound, raise awareness of farmer mental health, and advocate for new technologies to improve food sustainability. The University Centre also hosts initiatives such as affordably-priced produce markets and the food security fridge.
Those who participate in Food Day Canada pledge to “shop, cook, and dine like a Canadian,” which means only using home-grown ingredients, says the release.
Participants in Guelph can also enjoy U of G’s Hospitality Services special week-long menu and share their stories with #FoodDayCanada.