The federal government is launching consultations aimed at developing a national food policy for Canada.

Lawrence McAulay, the federal agriculture minister, announced the move early this week which includes an online survey at www.canada.ca/food-policy.

The government says the food policy will cover four key areas:

• Increasing access to affordable food;
• Improving health and food safety;
• Conserving soil, water and air; and
• Growing more high-quality food.

Canada has never before had a national food policy and the Trudeau government says it reflects both the importance of food to the health and well-being of Canadians and the desire to take a broad-based and collaborative approach to addressing food-related issues in Canada.

Ottawa will play host to a food policy for Canada summit June 22-23, designed to provide a space for stakeholders, experts, and key policy-makers to share views on the development of the policy.

There will also be other consultation events in the coming months.