Canadian Grocery Shoppers Equate Freshness with Local

- New Egg Farmers of Canada survey also shows the majority of households say imported foods cannot be fresh -

OTTAWA, May 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians overwhelmingly demand that the farm products they buy be fresh, with 90 percent saying that farms within their province deliver that freshness, says a new survey conducted for the Egg Farmers of Canada. Distance from farm to grocery store is seen as the key to freshness. Eighty per cent are confident products from within Canada are at peak quality when purchased. Conversely, 53 per cent believe imported foods cannot be considered fresh.

"In an age where grocery aisles are filled with foods from around the world, it is clear that Canadians place the highest value on locally produced food, exactly what the system of supply management allows for," says Bonnie Cohen, Manager of Marketing and Nutrition for Egg Farmers of Canada. "The results are identical regardless of socio-economic status, telling us that all households want the food they feed their families produced by local farmers."

Eighty-two per cent of Canadians polled say they are confident the eggs they buy are fresh. This was the highest scoring category in the question that also asked about poultry, beef, vegetables and fruits.

Egg farmers in Canada operate under a supply management system that ensures local family farms receive the fair and stable prices they need to be among the world's most efficient producers of top quality eggs.

"The unique system of supply management is the reason our farmers can deliver the freshness and quality that Canadian consumers expect and demand," says Cohen.

The survey, conducted by Vision Critical, polled 3,015 Canadians 18 or older in the second week of April. The results have a margin of error of +/- 1.8 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

About Egg Farmers of Canada
Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) is a not-for-profit national organization that forecasts demand for eggs, promotes eggs and develops national standards for egg farming. Our organization came into being in 1972 and was established as the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency under the Farm Products Agencies Act. We have a 16-member Board of Directors made up of an egg farmer from each province and the Northwest Territories, a representative of the Consumers' Association of Canada, three representatives from the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council and a Chair of the Board.  Our goal is to provide Canadians with a secure supply of high quality Canadian-produced eggs.

Image with caption: " EGG FARMERS OF CANADA - Canadian Grocery Shoppers Equate Freshness with Local (CNW Group/Egg Farmers of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130501_C9951_PHOTO_EN_26157.jpg

SOURCE: Egg Farmers of Canada