Community News
Feeding Canada; a Documentary about the true heroes of Canada’s food industry
BY ADRIAN REECE
Canadians are privileged in that we do not want for the basic necessities of life. Considered one of the best and safest countries to live in, we have access to everything a person needs to live a full and satisfying life.
In the hardship that Canadians have had to face in the last few years it is easy to find fault in everyday life. One of the things we take for granted is how easily accessible food is here. Canadians are treated to seasonal: fruits, vegetables and meats all year round with nothing inhibiting us from indulging in our guilty pleasures whenever we have a desire for them. If one grocery store doesn’t have your preferred brand of food there is another one within driving distance that can satisfy your particular tastes, and we have the farmers, their hard work and their large workforce of migrants who make it possible for us to have the things we need 24/7.
Commercials often reference Canada’s hard-working farmers; however, those short 30-second infomercials do not tell the whole story. Feeding Canada a documentary about Canada’s migrant farmers tells a much more accurate story of how we as Canadians are so blessed with food and sustenance all year around.
Feeding Canada highlights the migrant workers who come from Jamaica and Mexico to work on our farms in Canada. The relationship between Canada and these workers is a symbiotic one that aids in the abundance of food Canadians enjoy and creates opportunities for migrants to make large amounts of money that they often send back to their families in their home country or use this new revenue to give their children new opportunities that may not be available where they hail from.
The workers are making the ultimate sacrifice; they leave their families for 8-9 months at a time and work incredibly hard on the farms; working long hours to make the most of the opportunity they have obtained. The sacrifices they make are met with happy attitudes as these workers use the money earned to better their lives back home. The hard work is a small price to pay for the benefits they receive from Canada and its agricultural infrastructure.
Feeding Canada displays the side of Canadian agriculture we don’t get to see online, or in popular media. Jamaican and Mexican migrants arrive in Canada, earn money by providing a necessary service to Canadians, and then use that money to elevate their communities back home. Their hard work is not missed either; many of these workers are putting out the same level of energy as pro athletes. The magnitude of what that entails to work diligently day after day under the hot sun is a testament to how much we owe these people for their contribution to Canada’s wealth and privilege.
Tens of thousands of migrants are allowed to come to Canada every year, and many of them return year after year relishing in what they gain as a result. Some people who have never been outside of their countries get the opportunity to see a different part of the world and bring those experiences back home to share with their families and friends.
This film is the first step in eliminating the stereotype around migrant workers. These are the heroes of Canada’s food industry, and they deserve respect, or at the very least a deeper look on the ins and outs of the essential work they do in our thriving country. In partnership with other nations, Canada gives as much as it receives in their cooperative relationships that benefit all countries involved in a myriad of ways.
Join us in shedding light on the untold stories of migrant workers. Feeding Canada will be available to watch online from March 18th – March 21st, 2024, Tickets are available for $15 at https://culturerodeo.com/index.php?content=norfolk&event=19703
More information can also be found on Facebook by joining the Feeding Canada group where a link to purchase tickets is also available.
Together, we can amplify their voices, raise awareness, and inspire positive change for a more just and compassionate world. Be part of the movement to support Canada’s food heroes!