Leveraging the potential of 'food systems'

From CAPI Update, Autumn 2011

The Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) has been generating a national dialogue on its February 2011 report, Canada's Agri-Food Destination: A New Strategic Approach. The Destination report provides ideas on how Canada can strive for a more profitable and competitive agri-food sector, a healthier population, and more sustainable ecosystems. A core concept is that success depends on leveraging the potential of "food systems" — a shift in approach that is based on a new collaborative spirit and supportive policies and regulations.

A food system is an operating environment for agri-food partners to work collaboratively with a full range of support partners while operating profitably and meeting consumer demands and society's expectations. Food systems include agri-food supply or value chains and connect with many other supportive players, such as governments, researchers, financial services, and information-management providers.

CAPI believes that being successful in this complex food world requires increasing collaboration among players in supply/value chains, and among other players, and creating common objectives to drive performance.