Downtown Diner Delivers a Taste of Canadian Farming to Ottawa

Pop-up event celebrates local food and supply-managed farming

This week, the heart of Canada’s capital was filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Canadian agriculture as Sparks Street played host to the Downtown Diner, a pop-up event celebrating Canadian food and the farmers who make it possible.

At the center of the conversation was supply management, a uniquely Canadian system that ensures a stable supply of high-quality dairy, poultry, and eggs. Through this system, more than 14,295 Canadian farmers contribute to a reliable domestic food supply, while supporting 430,978 jobs, contributing $45.13 billion to GDP, and generating $14.86 billion in annual tax revenue says the group.

The Downtown Diner served as a reminder of the essential role farmers play—not just in feeding Canadians, but in maintaining the infrastructure and economic stability of communities across the country. As global food systems face increasing pressure, Canada’s supply-managed sectors continue to deliver consistency, quality, and resilience.

Canadians must begin to discuss if food sovereignty is something that should now be considered.

Whether it’s a glass of milk, a breakfast egg, or a roast chicken dinner, the food Canadians enjoy every day starts with the dedication of local farmers.