Circular Food Innovation Lab II

Wasted food – the result of a linear pattern of producing, under-consuming and disposing of food – is a pervasive problem globally and in Canada, where 58% of the food produced is wasted each year: that’s 11.17 million tonnes of edible food at a value of $49.46 billion (Varney, 2021). Wasted food is a complex challenge, in that it intersects with issues of food security, climate change, social justice and health, and involves many actors across the public and private sector. In Vancouver, the pandemic, extreme weather events, increased inflation and extractive relationships with lands and waters have disproportionately affected food access for systemically marginalized communities, resulting in increased reliance on charitable food sources (Soma, 2022; Varney, 2022). Meanwhile, many local food charities and non-profits are questioning the trajectory and effectiveness of the charitable food system in Canada in addressing food insecurity, and their role within it (Pellegrini, 2024).

This project will use action research and co-design methods, and focuses on deepening the relationships of food system stakeholders and rights-holders, reducing wasted food, and promoting an equitable and culturally meaningful food system. Ultimately, the pilot project will study the conditions for an equitable circular economy of food.

Faculty Supervisor:

Laura Kozak

Student:

Partner:

City of Vancouver

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Program: