Although it felt like the majority of the stories we covered in 2022 were far from uplifting, it seems as though the holiday spirit has made its way into the Canadian news week to produce a number of feel-good stories.
From a record-breaking maple syrup harvest to the CP Holiday Train raising more than $1 million in funds and roughly 121,000 pounds of food for local food banks, to a celebrity couple lending a hand to those in need, here are five food stories you might have missed this week.
CP Holiday Train returns with a bang
After returning from a three-year hiatus in November, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train completed its 24th year this week. During its 27-day journey, the Holiday Train program drew crowds by the thousands to free concerts in 168 communities, while managing to raise a total of $1.3 million in funds and roughly 121,000 pounds of food for local food banks.
Find out more at Railway Age.
Grocery shoplifting rising at alarming level across Canada
With rising food prices continuing to affect Canadians of almost all income levels, recent reports suggest that grocery shoplifting has risen to an alarming level all across the country. While many cite inflation and geopolitical conflict as the primary cause, some industry experts have suggested that the shoplifting itself has had a hand in the surge in food prices.
Read the full article at Global News.
Canadian maple syrup producers report record-breaking harvest
A new report from Statistics Canada recently revealed that Canada’s maple syrup producers have had a record-breaking harvest this year. According to the report, maple syrup production reached a remarkable 79.1 million litres in total, with Quebec, New Brunswick, and Ontario leading the way.
Visit CTV News for a full breakdown.
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively match donations to The Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Canadian-born actor Ryan Reynolds and wife Blake Lively recently announced that they will be matching donations made to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank’s Baby Steps program over the holiday season. The program, which provides essential supplies for infants and toddlers, will be matched by the couple up to a total of $25,000.
Find the full scoop at the Daily Mail.
First phase of Canada’s plastics ban off to a surprisingly smooth start
It’s only been a few days since the first phase of Canada’s single-use plastics ban came into effect, but all signs seem to suggest that the transition is going rather smoothly. In most cases, food and beverage businesses have been preparing for some time now, with solutions ranging from cutlery made of recyclable polypropylene to coffee lids made out of fibre.
Head to CTV News for more.
