Food Systems in a Time of Disruption Impacts of COVID-19 on Agri-Food

As the globe deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, our food systems face severe disruption. The resources on this page are intended to assist in moving forward through the challenges, and plan not only for life after lockdown, but also for how to avoid such devastation in the future.

Webinar Series: Agri-Food in a Time of Disruption

COVID-19 + Agri-Food Webinars

Recorded webinars on COVID-19 and agri-food for insights during disruption.

Expert Insights

100 days of coronavirus has sent shock waves through the food system

Serious concerns have been raised about the resilience of the processes we depend upon for our daily bread.

Growing Stronger: New program launched to help food system respond to crisis

“Growing Stronger” will connect all players within Canada’s food system through an online portal and a series of virtual consultations over the summer and into the fall.

Apple on a tree, with overlaid text reading "COVID-19 + Lessons for Food Systems"

Lessons for the Food System: Experts reflect on the pandemic’s impact

Four University of Guelph experts weighed in on how the Canadian food system has been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lessons actors in the food system can take away from these experiences.

A cart with produce from Canada in boxes sits in front of produce shelves

Robustness of Canada’s Food Supply Chain

Arrell Chair in Food Business, Simon Somogyi reflected on the disruption that viruses can cause in Canada's supply chain. Here is what he wrote...

Educational, Interesting, and Fun Resources About Food

Woman holds her infant in front of a harvested wheat field, representing rural communities for a webinar

COVID-19 + Agri-Food Webinars

Recorded webinars on COVID-19 and agri-food for insights during disruption.

Feeding 9 Billion

Videos, games, and graphic novels on issues of food, agriculture and hunger, glo…

PubCast: Conservation of Change

PubCast features authors breaking down academic papers in an accessible format

Food Farm Talk

An interactive show on food and farming, building on diverse research at the Uni…

A Bite’s Archives

The home to Arrell Food Institute's newsletter, A Bite

COVID-19: The perils of a ‘just enough, just in time’ food system

We live in an age when global supply chains seamlessly link farmers & consumers …

Resources Bringing Us Ease and Information

This is an unprecedented time of global uncertainty.

Governments around the world, including Canada, are instructing everyone to stay home if they can. We wanted to share resources and materials that we are using to learn more about food and agriculture at this time and to share the sources that we are going to for information and updates on COVID-19.

Keep scrolling to view them all.

Staying Informed

World Health Organization

Government of Canada – COVID-19

Canada Public Health

Global Affairs Canada

University of Guelph News on COVID-19

University of Guelph Experts on COVID-19 and Our Food System

Evan Fraser - Food System Resilience

It's time to pivot Canada's food system into the 21st century

Evan and Lenore Newman outline key points for rebuilding a more resilient food system.

Food, History and COVID

Evan and co-authors, Malcolm Campbell and Rene Van Acker ask readers if we will learn important lessons for our food system about resilience and preparedness that help us all navigate the next major disruption

A Global One Health Initiative to Combat Future Pandemics

Evan and co-author Shayan Sharif question if our behaviours, our governance, our economic practices in the future acknowledge the stark reality of living in a world where pandemics can happen.

Maria Corradini - Food Safety

In a Nut Shell: Food Safety during COVID-19

Maria answers common questions about COVID-19 and food safety.

What bags should I use at the grocery store during the pandemic?

Maria offers advice on how to shop safely during the pandemic and shares recent findings on contracting the virus from surfaces.

Simon Somogyi - Food Business

From finding solace in baking to the convenience of meal kits, some pandemic food habits may last long after the virus

Simon comments on how food purchasing habits have changed and whether they will persist in a post COVID-19 world.

Food Supply Business Opportunities

Simon provides some context to emerging food business opportunities as a result of COVID-19

Shockproofing Canada: How acres of empty greenhouses could be our answer to homegrown produce shortages

Simon comments on how Canadian growers can increase domestic food security and reduce our reliance on imports.

Phil Loring - Community & Food

With fresh seafood as elusive as toilet paper, community-supported fisheries could be the answer

Phil discusses different measures that can be taken to sustainably support small-scale fisheries.

As coronavirus threatens seafood economy, community fisheries find ways to stay afloat

Phil and co-authors discuss the toll that COVID-19 is taking on the seafood industry.

Canadian Farms and COVID-19

Phil outlines the correlation between the age demographic of Canadian farmers and those most at risk of being affected by COVID-19

What We Are Watching

How COVID-19 Changed the Food System

Sarah Rotz and Evan Fraser discuss some of the vulnerabilities that COVID-19 has exposed in our food system with TVO Agenda's, Steven Paikin. Addressing the weaknesses and amplifying the strengths of food supply chains is a necessary step to develop a more resilient food system. Rotz, Fraser and Ian Mosby discuss this in detail in their recent book, "Uncertain Harvest: The Future of Food on a Warming Planet".

A combine unloads wheat into a truck at twilight

National Index on Agri-Food Performance: Webinar

The Canadian agri-food sector is considering how to demonstrate its leadership on environmental sustainability and other indicators of being a trusted food leader.

Maintaining Family Routines During the Pandemic

Prof. Jess Haines, Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, offers tips for maintaining family routines during the pandemic.

U of G Expert on the Seafood Industry During the Pandemic

U of G Rural Studies Expert on Cottage Travel During the Pandemic

Safe Grocery Shopping: U of G Expert Dispels Myths

Following Along on Twitter

The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam on #FlattenTheCurve

Arrell Chair, Dr. Philip Loring on food security and supplies during a pandemic

University of Guelph for Live Updates