From the controversy surrounding the first genetically modified salmon produced in Canada entering the Canadian market to two Manitoba farms joining forces to donate thousands of pounds of potatoes, here are some of the top Canadian food stories you may have missed this week.
Health Canada gives green light for sale of genetically modified salmon
Following a multi-year assessment, P.E.I.-based AquaBounty recently received Health Canada’s stamp of approval for the Canada-wide sale of its genetically modified Atlantic salmon, however, the company has not been required to label its products as modified.
The company’s salmon is injected with DNA from other fish species that makes them grow faster, and since the engineered salmon is indistinguishable from unmodified salmon, experts have expressed concern about both the lack of clear labeling and the potential for the salmon to escape into wild environments.
Find the full story on CTV News.
Manitoba farmer donates 50,000 pounds of potatoes
The owner of Manitoba’s Spruce Drive Farms has been donating potatoes to the local community since 2016, and despite a relatively down year due to extremely dry conditions, the Portage la Prairie farm teamed up with farmers at Pine Creek Colony to give away roughly 50,000 pounds of potatoes this past weekend.
Head to CBC News for the full story.
Worker shortages force B.C. restaurants to rethink opening hours
The B.C. Foodservice and Restaurant Association estimates that the province’s hospitality industry is currently short more than 40,000 workers, and as a result, many food and beverage businesses have begun rethinking their opening hours to stay afloat.
According to the association, it could take approximately 10 years before B.C. regains enough workers to handle the province’s economy.
Read more on CTV News.
OpenTable ranks Canada’s top destinations for fall outdoor dining
According to data acquired by OpenTable, 41 per cent of Canadians are planning to continue dining outdoors as far into the fall as possible. Using diner reviews collected between June 2020 and May 2021, OpenTable recently ranked the top 100 outdoor dining destinations across Canada.
Find the full list on Restobiz.
Montreal nonprofit restaurant launches unique initiative
After moving into an unoccupied La Fontaine Park space following a tragic fire in June, Montréal nonprofit restaurant Robin des Bois was recently given permission to continue residing in the temporary restaurant for six more months.
The restaurant, whose profits are already allocated to a number of charitable organizations, launched an additional initiative this week that will require some patrons to provide meals for organizations tackling poverty and food insecurity in the city.
Find out more about the unique initiative on Eater.
