Environment Canada states a target of 75 per cent for fruits and vegetables to be distributed and sold in bulk and/or in plastic-free packaging by 2026. That number jumps to 95 per cent by 2028.
The president of the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, Barclay Nap, says plastic plays a key role in keeping food safe in Wellington County and across the country.
He added there are a number of initiatives underway in the county, but even those trying to rectify the issue, need plastic.
Nap says a lot of items including lettuce could become seasonal if this shift were to occur.
He added many in the county don’t have easy access to a nearby store, and that this could force locals to get creative in producing food.
He went on to say this packaging allows Canada to get things shipped in from other countries, namely oranges from Chile and several other fruits and veggies.
Nap explained whatever the answer may be, he hopes it isn’t one that detracts from bountiful portions of local foods.
Nap says paper replacement options are more expensive and have higher rates of spoilage.
He pointed out it might take a different mindset to fix this issue, that may not be a full ban of plastics, rather changing the way in which the material is used.
