Safe Food Canada - The Learning Partnership receives federal funding of $850K to enhance food safety nationwide

Not-for-profit organisation changing the Canadian food protection landscape

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, July 2, 2015 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - Safe Food Canada - The Learning Partnership (SFC), a not-for-profit organisation made up of leaders from the Canadian food industry, government regulatory bodies and academia all dedicated to the creation and coordination of food protection learning partnerships, receives $850,000 in federal funding.

This Tuesday, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville Brad Butt announced this support on behalf of the Honorable Minister Rona Ambrose, from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Federal Assistance Program (FAP).  Having invested over $517 million between 2008 and 2013 towards food safety initiatives, the Canadian Government again is signalling that food protection is top priority.

Through learning partnerships, SFC aims to develop and deliver a competency-based food protection learning framework so that all food businesses and regulatory authorities can ensure that learning and training that pertain to food protection will be consistent and certified.

Dr. Michael Trevan, the Chair of Safe Food Canada and Head of Department of Food Science at the University of Manitoba, confirms that the idea of a common competency-based learning system has been discussed for years now and that the support from federal funding will surely pave the way for the food industry to step up and do the same.

Brian Sterling , current Managing Director of the Global Food Traceability Center,  will take his position as President and CEO for Safe Food Canada on August 1, 2015.  Mr. Sterling says:

"For years, industry and regulators in Canada have been expending significant time and money on a wide range of disparate learning programs and events. This has led to duplication and increased costs for both public and private organisations. Safe Food Canada will be a public-private partnership with the vision and means to become the focal point for creating a comprehensive, competency-based food protection learning system that will benefit all Canadians."

Taking a closer look at food safety and corporate culture, a peer-reviewed article was published last year by the Royal Society for Public Health. In her article, co-author Lone Jespersen who sits on the SFC Board of Directors and is Director of Food Safety Strategy at Maple Leaf Foods, upholds the following:

"We have to become successful in reducing and ultimately eradicating food borne illness in the food supply and can only do so if we are able to effectively focus on the most critical food safety risks, at the right points in the supply chain, with the necessary level of technical and social rigour."

SFC works with its US counterpart, the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI). Together, they forge a Canada-American collaboration to exchange best practices and frameworks that will harmoniously advance food protection and align with global standards. 

Along with the funding announcement, Safe Food Canada announces the official launch of their new website. Learn more at: www.safefoodcanada.com.

Twitter : @SafeFoodCanadaFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/SafeFoodCanada

SOURCE Safe Food Canada (SFC-TLP)

Canada's Most Unique Festival Rolls Back into Town!

Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival Back for the Eighth Year

MONTREAL, Quebec  July 2, 2015 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - The Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival, one of Canada's most exciting and fun-hearted events, is back again. Hosted by Dairy Farmers of Canada, the festival rolls back into Whistler, British Columbia on August 15, 2015 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Now in its eighth year, the Festival features cheese rolling races, a costume contest, cheese tastings, and other fun activities for the whole family.

An 11-pound wheel of Boerenkaas cheese, produced by British Columbia cheese maker Natural Pastures, will be released and roll down the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain for enthusiastic and ambitious cheese lovers to chase. The first male and female contestants to make it down the hill in the final heats win! They will each take home one of the giant, coveted wheels of delicious Canadian cheese and a Whistler season ski pass for two.

"Dairy Farmers of Canada is thrilled to bring this much-anticipated Festival celebrating Canadian cheese back toWhistler," says Sandra Da Silva, assistant director, external communications, Dairy Farmers of Canada. "It's such a great family event, with activities for everyone and, of course, delicious Canadian cheese everywhere you look."

The Festival will be held in Whistler's Upper Village on Blackcomb Mountain. Free transportation to Blackcomb Mountain Base 2 parking lot will be available via the Excalibur Gondola in Whistler village. Anyone over 19 years of age can participate in the races; contestants can register on-site on August 15 at 11:00 a.m. There will be seven men's and four women's heats and the winner from each one will compete in the finals. There will also be uphill races for kids.

This year, all Festival attendees aged 19 and over are invited to come in costume for the chance to win a gift card from Marketplace IGA: $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third. Other activities at the festival will include children's activities, free cheese seminars, and recipe demos with Chef Ned Bell from YUCA restaurant inVancouver. Visitors will also have the opportunity to taste and buy Canadian cheese from across the country in a Cheese Market full of delicious samples.  Vancouver native and Breakfast Television host, Riaz Meghji, will emcee the event again.

Finally, Dairy Farmers of Canada partnered with MarketPlace IGA in British Columbia to offer Canadians a chance to win a getaway weekend to Whistler, including accommodation at the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa and a five-course dining experience at the famed Bearfoot Bistro. Visit a MarketPlace IGA grocery store in British Columbiabefore July 30^th to participate!

To learn more about the Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival and to view videos and photos from past years, visit canadiancheeserolling.ca.

About Dairy Farmers of Canada

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. DFC works to maintain policies that foster the viability of Canadian dairy farms and to promote quality Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk as part of a healthy balanced diet. Visit dairyfarmers.ca for more information.

 

SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)