A Personal Perspective
As someone who has worked closely with Canada’s food industry, I have seen firsthand how much potential we have in processing our own raw materials into finished goods. We are a nation rich in agricultural resources, yet we often fail to capture the full economic value of what we produce. Instead of keeping production local, we export raw materials and import finished products, losing jobs, innovation, and economic security along the way. One of the least engaged and least owned areas of our economy is food processing—an industry that could and should be a cornerstone of Canadian economic strength.
So, how do we make food processing attractive again? The answer is simple: we build systems that care for workers, invest in infrastructure, and create opportunities that make this industry sustainable and desirable. When we prioritize people—through fair wages, paid leaves, healthcare, mental health support, and training programs—we don’t just improve the lives of workers; we strengthen the entire economy.
Investing in the Workforce: The Key to Strengthening Our Economy
For too long, food processing has struggled with high turnover, labor shortages, and a reputation for being a low-wage, high-burnout industry. If we want to change this, we need to invest in the workforce and in the systems that make this industry valuable to both workers and the economy.
1. Paid Leave and Health Care: A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. By ensuring workers have access to healthcare and paid leave, we improve retention, reduce absenteeism, and create more stability in the industry. When employees feel secure in their jobs, they invest more in their work, leading to higher efficiency and better-quality products.
2. Improvement Models and Skill Development: Innovation in food processing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. By providing training, technology upgrades, and pathways for career growth, we empower workers to be part of the industry's evolution. Skilled workers create higher-quality goods, making Canadian products more competitive in both domestic and international markets.
3. Fair Wages and Economic Incentives: Paying workers fairly isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s an economic necessity. Fair wages stimulate local economies, increase consumer spending, and reduce reliance on social support systems. When people earn a living wage, they reinvest in their communities, further strengthening our economic foundation.
4. Mental Health Resources and Workplace Culture: Food processing is a demanding industry. If we want people to stay, we need to create environments that support their well-being. Providing mental health resources, safe working conditions, and a positive workplace culture helps reduce turnover and ensures long-term industry stability.
Langley Foods and the Role of Smaller Co-Packers
At Langley Foods, we recognize that large-scale change happens when businesses work together. That’s why we are actively collaborating with smaller co-packers to find solutions that keep production local, innovative, and economically viable. By supporting smaller processors, we help decentralize food production, making the industry more resilient and better able to respond to market demands.
Covered Bridge Chips: A Model of Perseverance and Value Creation
A shining example of what’s possible in Canadian food processing is Covered Bridge Chips. This family-run business has faced challenges, but through perseverance, worker investment, and community support, they have built a thriving brand that delivers both economic and social value.
Just one year ago, Covered Bridge Chips experienced a devastating loss when a fire destroyed their factory. For many businesses, this could have meant the end, but Covered Bridge proved that resilience and collaboration can keep an industry moving forward. With the help of small co-packers, industry partners, and their dedicated team, they were able to continue production while rebuilding their facility. This extraordinary display of strength and solidarity is a testament to what is possible when the industry supports its own.
Covered Bridge Chips doesn’t just make great snacks—they create jobs, strengthen their local economy, and prove that Canadian processing can be both profitable and sustainable. Their journey is a powerful reminder that investing in people and partnerships leads to long-term success, even in the face of adversity.
Building a Stronger Economy Through Food Processing
By reinvesting in food processing, we don’t just create jobs—we create higher-value goods that boost our economy. When we process our own raw materials, we increase the worth of our agricultural sector, keep profits within our borders, and strengthen our economic resilience. Canadian-made food products should be known for their quality, innovation, and ethical production standards. If we put in the work now—through fair labor practices, workforce investment, and industry support—food processing can become one of Canada’s greatest economic strengths.
It’s time to change the narrative. It’s time to make food processing an industry that people want to work in, that communities benefit from, and that our economy depends on. The path forward is clear: invest in people, invest in infrastructure, and keep production local. Canada has everything it needs to be a leader in food processing—it’s time we take ownership of it.
