Food Day Canada is a national celebration of Canadian food, agriculture, and the people who produce it. Held annually on the Saturday before the first Monday in August, it encourages Canadians to Shop. Cook. Dine. Celebrate. Canadian.by choosing Canadian-grown, raised, harvested, and produced food.

The celebration was founded in 2003 by Anita Stewart in response to the BSE (mad cow disease) crisis, when Canadian cattle producers were facing significant economic hardship. She launched what became known as the “World’s Longest Barbecue,” inviting Canadians to support local farmers by cooking and eating Canadian beef. Over time, the event evolved into Food Day Canada, celebrating all Canadian food—not just beef.

Today, Food Day Canada is a registered not-for-profit organization whose mission is to:

• Celebrate Canadian farmers, fishers, ranchers, producers, processors, chefs, and home cooks.

• Promote Canadian ingredients and regional cuisines.

• Encourage sustainable food systems and food literacy.

• Strengthen the connection between consumers and the people who grow and prepare their food.

In 2023, the Food Day in Canada Act officially recognized Food Day Canada in federal legislation, making the Saturday before the August Civic Holiday the country’s official Food Day.

For chefs, Food Day Canada is an opportunity to showcase Canadian ingredients, work directly with local farmers and producers, and tell the story of Canadian cuisine. Events such as The Harvest Table: A Taste of Vancouver Islandextend this mission by bringing together chefs, producers, and communities to celebrate the incredible food culture found across Canada, and particularly here on Vancouver Island.