The Big Story Digging into the future of Canada's maple syrup industry
Dec 7, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Randal Goodfellow, President of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers' Association, shares his expertise on the vital yet vulnerable maple syrup industry in Canada. He highlights how climate change threatens production, particularly due to rising temperatures affecting sap quality. The conversation also delves into the rich history of maple syrup, Ontario’s growth potential, and the dramatic theft that shook the industry. With humor and insight, Randal paints a picture of maple syrup’s cultural significance and future challenges.
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Maple Syrup's Origins
- First Nations people used maple syrup as a food staple for millennia, storing it as sugar.
- Early European settlers adopted similar methods, initially boiling sap over open fires, resulting in smoky syrup.
Maple Syrup's Rise to Retail
- Maple syrup's widespread availability in grocery stores likely increased in the last 20-25 years.
- Quebec's government actively promoted the maple syrup industry's growth through policies and programs.
Quebec's Maple Syrup Boom
- Quebec's government implemented grants, land access, and research investments to boost the maple syrup industry.
- These initiatives contributed to Quebec producing 75% of the world's and 90% of Canada's maple syrup.