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About Us

Who We Are

Canadians have questions about food — where it comes from, who’s producing it, and how. Their healthy curiosity is why we exist.

We want to make sure that Canadians— who are bombarded with contradictions — have the balanced information they need about food to make informed choices that are right for them and their families.

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) is an independent, Canadian, not-for-profit charitable organization that works to build understanding and trust between Canadians and their food system. We bring together partners from across the food value chain to share knowledge, foster dialogue, and strengthen public trust in the food we grow, make, and eat.

CCFI is supported through membership from across Canada’s food system. This broad membership base enables us to bring together diverse perspectives to support open, sector-wide conversations about food.

Our members and partners represent the diversity of today’s food system — from farmers, ranchers, and food companies to universities, provincial and federal governments, non-governmental organizations, restaurants, retailers, food processors, financial institutions, seed companies, and transportation providers. We also collaborate with researchers, tech innovators, environmental organizations, packaging and distribution firms, healthcare and nutrition bodies, water management specialists, and energy providers.

CCFI is governed and operated entirely in Canada, with a mandate and strategic focus that reflect the unique structure and values of Canada’s food system.

Charitable Registration BN:847779204RR0001

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Our Role

CCFI is dedicated to advancing public trust in Canada’s food system. By focusing on research-driven insights, we create opportunities for meaningful collaboration, foster shared values, and provide tools to help the sector meet evolving Canadian expectations.

CCFI operates at the intersection of Canadians, the food system, and policy influencers—bridging understanding, fostering collaboration, and driving trust through transparent, research-driven communication.

CCFI is not a regulator, lobbyist, or advocacy organization. We do not set or enforce codes of practice, legislate, or lobby governments. Our role is to conduct research, share credible information, and create opportunities for meaningful public engagement.

Our national public trust research is conducted by independent experts using rigorous methodologies, and the findings are shared openly with partners across the food system, policymakers, academics, and civil society. This ensures credible, evidence-based insights inform conversations about food in Canada.

Vision

Elevate Canada’s food system to be the most trusted in the world.

Mission

Build public trust in Canada’s food system through transparent communications, collaboration, rigorous research, and tailored resources.

Purpose

Cultivate trust in the Canadian food system.

What We Believe

  • We value the diversity of today’s food system and respect differing viewpoints – an approach that provides the insight needed to foster critical thinking, anticipate issues, and develop innovative, flexible strategies that build trust around food system issues.
  • We believe a sustainable food system includes innovation in food production to help meet the need for healthy, affordable food.
  • We believe a sustainable food system must be ethically grounded, scientifically verified, and economically viable.
  • We believe the foundation for building trust is meeting consumer needs and better aligning food system practices with consumer values and expectations.

Why Public Trust Matters

Public trust is a cornerstone of a strong and resilient food system. By fostering transparency, dialogue, and shared understanding, we help Canadians connect more closely with the people, processes, and innovations that shape their food.

What is the “food system”?

A food system is the path that food travels from field to table. It includes the growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, marketing, consuming, and disposing of food. It also includes the inputs needed and outputs generated at each step.

Our Team

The Board of Directors

  • Adele Buettner

    Founder and President, AgriBiz Communications Corp.

  • TREASURER

    Darlene McBain

    Director, Industry and Stakeholder Relations, FCC

  • Jean-Marc Ruest

    Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Richardson International

  • VICE-CHAIR

    Julie Dickson Olmstead

    Food Industry Advisor, Former Managing Director in Grocery/Retail

  • Keith Currie

    President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture

  • Matt Poirier

    Vice President, Federal Government Relations, Retail Council of Canada

  • Michael Graydon

    CEO, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada

  • CHAIR

    Mike Dungate

    Governance Professional, Past Executive Director, Chicken Farmers of Canada

  • Nicole McAuley

    Vice-president, AdFarm

  • Shanna Munro

    Past Canadian President Executive Leader, Diversey

  • Timothy Kennedy

    President & CEO, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance