Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, has issued the following statement in support of the B.C. Agriculture Council’s Ag Day:

“This year’s B.C. Ag Day is a reminder to all British Columbians how fortunate we are to have so many dedicated people producing food for the people of our province, how our decisions to Buy BC supports them as individuals and as communities, and how important the work we are doing to promote B.C.’s food security is for current and future generations.

“The past 18 months have shone a spotlight on how important food security is to our province. The fact an unprecedented pandemic and a summer with the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Canada did not deter the people who put healthy, delicious food on our tables speaks to how resilient B.C. farmers are and reminds us how valuable our support for them truly is.

“Our government will continue to work with B.C.’s farmers to support food production in the province, whether that is through efforts to help growers increase their production, opportunities and sales, or our new Regenerative Agriculture and Agritech Network that will help farmers use technology that supports their businesses, cares for the environment and increases our long-term food security in a changing climate.

“The pandemic also demonstrated the reliance B.C. farms have on temporary foreign workers. There is no food security without a secure labour supply. This is why the B.C. government has helped farms access thousands of workers through our provincial quarantine program to complete their harvests and keep their workforce and communities safe.

“I’m leading a team of more than 400 people who are working closely with the people who produce our food. Each of us is working to make sure the support and programs we provide lead to innovation, market growth and food safety policies that strengthen our food system, communities and economy.

“On B.C. Ag Day 2021, I urge every British Columbian to offer their thanks to the farmers and food producers in our communities for all the hard work they have done to keep us fed and healthy this year, and remind them all they have to do is Buy BC.”