In marked contrast to its North American neighbours, the Canadian government has helped form a Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) designed to help the emerging industry continue to grow and expand into new markets.
Industrial hemp has been grown commercially in Canada since 1998, and today, hempseed and fiber products are sold throughout Canada and the United States.
Over the border in the US, however, the DEA is currently trying to prohibit the manufacture or sale of hemp foods because of the ingredient's close links to the controlled substance marijuana.
Composed of hemp farmers, processors, marketers and researchers, the CHTA is a non-profit organization with members from across Canada, as well as the US. In the long term the CHTA says its aim is to aid the growth of both hemp fiber and seed sectors. Initial activities are to include market development, advocacy, communications and the creation of an effective national network.
A large portion of the CHTA's projects for 2003-2004 have been made possible with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)'s Canadian Agriculture and Food International (CAFI) fund, revealed the alliance in a recent statement. "We are grateful for both public and private sector support of the CHTA initiative," said Arthur Hanks, executive director of the CHTA.
"An alliance like this is essential for moving Canada's hemp industry forward," continued Hanks. "One of our primary objectives this year will be to raise awareness of the health benefits of hemp foods in Canada and the United States, through trade shows, print media and the web."
Hempseed foods are high in digestible protein and are also rich and well-balanced sources of omega-3 and omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). EFAs are 'good fats' that, like vitamins, the body requires for good health but does not produce.
Representing a rapidly growing category of the $36.4 billion US natural products market, in the last few years, the hemp foods sector has grown from less than $1 million a year to more than $5 million in retail sales. Hempseed and hemp oil have a 'nutty' flavor and are increasingly found in natural food products such as chips, nut butters, salad dressings, nutrition bars, pastas, flours, breads and cereals as well as sports and dietary supplements.
CHTA was represented at the Natural Products Expo East trade show 4-7 September in Washington DC where Nutiva, one of its members, won the Best New Product Award in the supplement category.