NEW TECH FOODS

CANZA, the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food, has unveiled the Million Acre Challenge, a new initiative to expand regenerative farming practices across Canada.

The programme launches with a $7 million contribution from the Weston family, part of their $50 million commitment to regenerative agriculture.

The challenge aims to help farmers adopt economically viable and environmentally sustainable practices through cost-sharing incentives, agronomic support and access to an online portal of public and private programmes.

Nick Betts, CANZA's executive director, said: "It's time to recognise and reward farmers for the value they create – for people, climate and nature – through regenerative farming practices. The Million Acre Challenge is about everyone collaborating together, across the full value chain, to scale these practices on the ground."

The initiative begins in Southwestern Ontario’s cornbelt, targeting farmers in their first two cohorts. Participating farms will implement a range of regenerative practices, tailored to individual operations, to further reduce carbon emissions in supply chains including beef, corn, wheat and other livestock.

Galen Weston, chairman of Loblaw Companies, added: "Farmers are core to Canadian prosperity, and our national resilience requires sustainable practices that create value across the agricultural supply chain. We're proud to make this contribution to launch the Million Acre Challenge as part of our family's $50 million commitment towards regenerative agriculture in Canada."

The programme plans to expand nationally over time, supporting existing participants while recruiting new farmers annually, with a goal to scale regenerative practices exponentially through 2030 and beyond.