UNPACKING THE CURRENT FOOD SYSTEM

One question: Are the systems we've built actually serving the people they're supposed to help?

We've spent generations building systems around food, farming, poverty and public support. But somewhere along the way, we've become increasingly dependent on institutions and industries that were supposed to make life better.

This six-part series takes a closer look at how we got here, where billions in public funding have gone, and why we’re still struggling to build a food system that works for farmers, families and communities. More importantly, what can we do differently?

Aerial shot of a vast crop field under dramatic clouds and a setting sun.
A farmer walks through a freshly plowed field under a clear sky, symbolizing agriculture and hard work.

Part 1 of 6 | The Beginning of the Conversation - What Does Food Sovereignty Even Mean

Everyone talks about building a stronger, more self-reliant food system. But what does food sovereignty actually look like? And has our government been investing in the people and infrastructure that could make it possible or not?

Read Part 1

Part 2 of 6 | Where Did All The Money Go?

For more than a decade, Ontario governments have promised millions of dollars to strengthen our food system. But who received that money, what was actually built, and how much of it is still benefiting farmers and communities today?

Read Part 2
High angle shot of farmers tending to lush green cropland using irrigation systems.
Drone shot of a cultivated farmland with distinct patterns of rows and pathways, showcasing rural agriculture.

Part 3 of 6 | From Wynne to Ford: More Funding, Fewer Farms

Ontario has invested billions in agriculture, yet Niagara lost hundreds of farms over a decade. We’re producing more agricultural revenue with fewer farmers. So who’s actually benefiting from all this investment, and why is it still so difficult to make a living growing food?

Read Part 3

Part 4 of 6 | THE PRICE OF OUR DEPENDENCE

Scarcity isn’t always a fact of nature. It’s often the result of systems that keep us dependent, paying more for less, while the resources to build stronger, self-reliant communities are already within our reach.

Read Part 4
Aerial shot of a rural road cutting through lush fields, showcasing the beauty of the countryside from above.
A farmer in Cajamarca, Peru, with a traditional hat, in a rural setting.

Part 5 of 6 | WE'RE NOT RUNNING OUT OF LAND. WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF COMMON SENSE.

Ontario is losing farmland, but is a shortage of land really the problem? Niagara has untapped agricultural potential. So why aren’t we creating more farmers?

Read Part 5

Part 6 of 6 | WHO PROFITS FROM OUR PROBLEMS?

Canada spends billions addressing poverty, illness, addiction and food insecurity, yet millions continue to struggle. What if the systems designed to solve our biggest problems actually benefit from keeping them alive? And what would happen if we invested in helping people become healthier, more connected and less dependent instead?

Read Part 6
Aerial shot of a rural road cutting through lush fields, showcasing the beauty of the countryside from above.

THE CONVERSATION DOESN'T END HERE.

These 6 articles are only the beginning. There is much more coming, to help you exploret our food, our farms and the systems shaping our future.

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