Food Day Canada Date in the current year: August 3, 2024

Food Day Canada originated as the World's Longest BBQ. Anita Stewart organized this event in order to support local farmers and help them overcome the beef crisis that followed the US embargo on Canadian beef. The reason was a single case of BSE, or mad cow disease, in Alberta. The disease is easily transmitted to humans by eating any part of the infected animal.

Inspired by the success of the inaugural event, Stewart continued to call on her friends and cooks around Canada to hold BBQs on the Saturday of the August long weekend and celebrate Food Day Canada. Since then, Canadian barbecue has become a very popular event around the world; it encourages people to cook with Canadian ingredients.

Over time, Food Day Canada has evolved into a special celebration by chefs. On the occasions, chefs from all over the country cook Canadian food and post their menus on Food Day Canada's official website. All people across Canada are encouraged to follow their example.