Hello;
The following is a letter to the editor in the Leader Post, August 11,
2006. It is written by Jill Holroyd,
VP, Research and Communications, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices
Association. The book
to which she refers (and its precursor, Fast Food Nation) has caused
quite a stir in the States. She
claims that things are different here in Canada. Her stats seem
questionable. Can anyone help with
a reply?
Best regards,
Daryl
--
"Food industry book hard to digest"
A book review, "Book offers kids interesting and disturbing fast food
facts," in the Leader Post of
August 5, may have created some misperceptions among your readers.
The review failed to mention
that the book in question is an American author's personal view of the
American food industry.
Far from "doing away with the family farm and ranch," Canada's
quick-service restaurant operators
source safe, nutritious and high-quality beef and chicken from
hundreds of family farms across Canada.
Family farms account for 98 percent of all farms in this country,
according to Agriculture and Agri-food
Canada. Food safety and quality are of utmost importance to
restaurant operators, and the industry
takes pride in meeting or exceeding federal, provincial and municipal
government standards that
govern this industry.
In terms of food quality and variety, Canada's restaurants provide
consumers with a wide range
of menu items to meet their dietary needs and preferences.
Quick-service restaurants have responded
to consumer demand by offering a range of new items such as salads,
sandwiches, yogurt and whole grain
breads. And finally, when it comes to our employees, no other
industry provides more first-job experience
for young people looking to build their resume or embark on a career
in the foodservice industry.
Regurgitating the flawed arguments in "Chew on This" without analysis
or context does a disservice to
the foodservice industry's one million employees, as well as thousands
of restaurant operators, food suppliers,
and Canadian Farmers.
Jill Holroyd
(transcribed by me)
----
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