Courtney Lau
VFR: Courtney, tell us about yourself! What were you up to before you joined VFR?
CL: Hello! I’m Courtney, a second generation Chinese-Canadian who has the privilege of growing, working, and playing on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation), Coast Salish peoples – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
I’m also a UBC student completing the last term of my Food, Nutrition, and Health degree, minoring in Commerce! My journey and interest into the food security world started last year after completing a research project on “Understanding Student Perceptions of Just, Equitable, and Dignified Food Access” for students at UBC. I realized how much work and advocacy that needs to be done for not only students, but for many others experiencing food insecurity across the Lower Mainland. Through my desire to help and the curiosity to learn more, I completed two co-op placements: one with United Way British Columbia and the other with South Vancouver Neighbourhood House as a Food Security Coordinator. Now I’m here with VFR, and I’m excited about the opportunities that are in store for me!
VFR: Tell us about your role with VFR and what drew you to working with the organization?
CL: At VFR, I’m responsible for various communications projects, including social media, as well as helping to develop and write fundraising proposals for our organization. Because we are a registered charity organization running a free food recovery program for the community, we rely on foundation/government grants, corporate partnerships, and individual donations, so we can keep doing the good work that we are doing. I also help in curating graphics and content for our social media platforms, such as Instagram and LinkedIn, as well as this newsletter that you’re currently reading! I wouldn’t say I’m the best at creating these designs, but I do find it quite enjoyable, and it gives me a creative outlet that provides me with a break from all the writing that I do.
What drew me to working with Vancouver Food Runners is the organization’s innovative way of efficiently tackling the serious and urgent issues of food insecurity and climate change within our community. Not only that, but VFR is constantly establishing new connections and developing their relationships with partners to advocate for food policy changes within Vancouver that will ultimately help our community be more resilient and sustainable.
VFR: What are some of your favourite things to do in the Lower Mainland? Please share about a place that's special to you and an activity that you like to do here, as we are so grateful to live, work, and learn on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples.
CL: I’m going to be honest and say I’m not the best person to ask what there is to do in the Lower Mainland (I would be the worst tour guide and will guarantee I’ll get everyone lost!). But, I recently went kayaking for the first time with my friends a few months ago, and it might be a new interest of mine; once at Deer Lake in Burnaby and another time at Belcarra Reginal Park. It’s fun rowing towards the waves, so maybe I’ll try white water rafting next! Most of my happiest memories are spent outside with my family and friends, exploring what so-called “British Columbia” has to offer us.
VFR: Let's talk about food! Please share some of your favourite places to grab a bite to eat.
CL: If you’ve had a chance to talk to me about food, it’ll probably be no secret that my favourite food is a nice slice of sourdough toast. There’s something so great about this simple carb, and I’m forever fascinated by it. I’m currently on the hunt for the best sourdough loaf, and I’ll let everyone know when I find it! Besides toast, some restaurants I really enjoy are Do Chay (vegan Vietnamese), Santouka (Hokkaido Style Ramen), Ma Now Thai (they have great curries!), and Taqueria Playa Tropical (Mexican munchies).
VFR: Let's get to know you better: tell us about one of your personality traits that helps you out on the job with VFR.
CL: My job requires me to do a lot of independent work. One thing that helps me be more productive is to find ways to keep being excited about work, and I think being naturally curious helps me do this. Whether it be finding a new font for a graphic or practicing new skills to improve my grant writing, there is always something to improve on and something new to learn every day.
VFR: Summer weather is still here (thankfully!). Do you have any fun end-of-summer plans?
CL: Trying to get in as much quality time with my friends and family is a must for me before I start my last semester of school at UBC in September. Some of my bucket list things to do include playing tennis, going down the Coquitlam River on a floatie, biking, paddleboarding, and enjoying some Rocky Point Ice Cream! I probably won’t get a lot of these activities done in the next few days, but they’re definitely things I’ll save for next summer!
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