Kapish Chhabra on the Vancouver Food Justice Dialogue
VFR: Kapish, you’ve spent the fall and winter months supporting the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition as a Columbia College Community Connections practicum student (placement co-facilitated by Vancouver Food Runners). Through the placement, you’ve been involved with various projects and initiatives, including the recent Vancouver Food Systems Dialogue. Tell us about what you have learned through your placement and some of your favourite moments.
KC: I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition as a Columbia College "Community Connections" practicum student. This experience has truly been transformative, leaving me with a profound sense of purpose and awareness.
One of the most impactful lessons I've learned is the harsh reality of food insecurity, especially among international students. Before this placement, I hadn't fully grasped the extent of this issue. Through my involvement in various projects and initiatives, including the Vancouver Food Systems Dialogue, I've come to understand the significant challenges faced by individuals and several communities when it comes to accessing nutritious food.
One of my favourite moments from this placement was witnessing the power of collective action during the Vancouver Food Systems Dialogue at Vancouver City Hall. Seeing diverse stakeholders come together to discuss and address food justice issues made me realize the importance of community collaboration.
Overall, this opportunity has been a journey of growth and learning. It has deepened my understanding of food justice and the systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing this work and advocating for meaningful change in our food systems.
VFR: You were recently involved in helping to organize the Vancouver Food Systems Dialogue at City Hall. Tell us about this event, its purpose and who participated.
KC: The Vancouver Food Systems Dialogue held at City Hall was a momentous event organized by the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition, aimed at fostering equity-centered solutions within the city's food systems, particularly addressing the challenges faced by those most severely impacted by food insecurity.
The gathering provided a platform for various stakeholders, including local government representatives, community organizations, and individuals with firsthand experiences, to come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate towards building a more equitable, just, resilient, and sustainable food system for all residents of Vancouver.
Throughout the Dialogue, key topics such as cultural food assets, urban agriculture, place-based community food programming, and food waste and recovery were thoroughly explored and discussed. This event served as an important step towards identifying challenges and opportunities within various food sectors, paving the way for collaborative efforts to address food insecurity and promote food justice in Vancouver.
The event featured 11 key speakers, comprising both lived experience and professional experts, who shared their insights on various topics. Their presentations were described by audience members as powerful storytelling, highlighting the human dimension of the food system, and validating local knowledge and experiences
Overall, the Dialogue served as a call to action for stronger community-led engagement and collaboration, challenging the traditional food charity model, and advocating for upstream changes that address systemic issues in our food systems.
It represented a crucial moment of community mobilization amid ongoing crises, emphasizing the importance of collective action in creating positive change.
Please read on to learn more about what was shared during the Vancouver Food Systems Dialogue!
Leona Brown, Indigenous Food Systems Consultant, shared her passion for fostering food sovereignty and cultural preservation. Leona spoke about her involvement in a number of Indigenous Garden initiatives, which aim to reconnect Indigenous people with their traditional medicines and educate the broader community about food cultivation. She emphasized the importance of creating inclusive spaces, like healing gardens to promote reconciliation and community building. Leona highlighted the need for support from city officials and organizations to remove barriers and ensure access to resources for community-led initiatives. With the challenges of food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Leona stressed the urgency of supporting local food systems and empowering communities to grow their own food as a means of cultural preservation and resilience.
Link to Leona’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogue HERE.
Dr. Tammara Soma, Assistant Professor at SFU and Co-founder of the Food Systems Lab, talked about the transformative power of food, outlining how focusing on food systems can support the City of Vancouver’s current strategic priorities and foster a more resilient and vibrant community. Dr. Soma emphasized how food can serve as a catalyst for achieving strategic priorities, such as vibrant diversity, economic resilience, and community well-being. She also underscored the importance of supporting small food enterprises and embracing a circular food economy to foster sustainability and inclusivity. Drawing on her research and expertise, she highlighted the critical role of food in addressing pressing issues like the climate emergency, housing affordability, and social equity. Additionally, by investing in Indigenous food systems and promoting “food as medicine” interventions, Vancouver can lead in building healthy, inclusive, and equitable cities.
Link to Dr. Soma’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogue HERE.
Gillian Der 謝美華 – former Renfrew Collingwood Food Justice Manager, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural food assets amidst the pressures of urban development. She highlighted the need for inclusive development
processes that prioritize small businesses and community voices, recognizing their commitment to community building. Gillian also emphasized the significance of new buildings offering better standards for workers and advocating for supportive policies to sustain cultural food assets within communities.
Link to Gillian’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogue HERE.
William Liu – CEO, Kam Wai Dim Sum highlighted the profound connections his business has within the community. He emphasized how Chinatown’s food system embodies a vibrant tapestry of cultural heritage, offering a profound sense of belonging to generations of residents. As part of this cherished community, he expressed a commitment to safeguarding cultural food assets while providing a place of connection, especially to protect, refurbish and build upon Chinatown’s historic society buildings and others, ensuring a legacy for future generations to thrive.
Link to William’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogue HERE.
Emi Do – Young Agrarians, Co-op Coordinator, recovering urban farmer, underscored the significance of urban agriculture in addressing the pressing need for new and young farmers. With less than 2% of Canadians engaged in farming and less than 10% under 35, cultivating the next generation of farmers is imperative for future food security. Urban farming serves as a vital entry point, offering opportunities for individuals to participate in agricultural endeavours. Beyond its role in food production, urban farming fosters community connections, environmental stewardship, and entrepreneurial spirit. By empowering people to grow their own food and contribute to their communities, urban farming is a tangible solution
to societal challenges while instilling a sense of empowerment and self-sufficiency.
Link to Emi’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogue HERE.
Nova Guest – Sole Food Street Farms shared how their urban agriculture initiative empowers individuals by providing jobs, training, and community support. Sole Food employs approximately 28 people from the Downtown Eastside, offering low-barrier employment opportunities. Nova emphasized the transformative impact that Sole Food has had in addressing challenges like addiction and housing insecurity, highlighting the importance of hands-on engagement with food production. Despite obstacles like limited land access, Sole Food remains committed to sustainability, utilizing innovative farming practices such as above-ground containers, and integrating Indigenous medicines. Nova expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to this transformative work, underscoring the significance of urban agriculture in empowering communities and promoting self-reliance.
Link to Nova’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogues HERE.
Heather Gerrie – Community Engagement Manager, Food Stash highlighted the pressing issue of food waste in Vancouver and its significant environmental impact. She shared that food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, yet it has received less attention in climate action plans. Despite the significant efforts of organizations like Food Stash, which recovers millions of pounds of food annually, only 5% of potential waste is currently being addressed. She urged for more support from the community and the City of Vancouver to further enhance food recovery initiatives and tackle this critical environmental issue.
Link to food waste & recovery audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogues HERE.
Michelle Reining – Executive Director, Vancouver Food Runners shared about the global momentum in municipal-level food policy work, citing Milan, Italy, as an exemplary model with its Urban Food Policy Pact. Vancouver signed this Pact in 2015, but food waste prevention initiatives continue to face challenges due to limited resources and municipal support. However, there’s growing municipal interest in food waste prevention, exemplified by Councillor Adriane Carr’s motion to decrease food waste and increase food security. The motion emphasizes measurement, monitoring, and support for food waste prevention, aligning with Vancouver’s focus on progressive leadership and regulation in food security. Michelle emphasized the importance of engaging all Vancouver residents in this effort, focusing on education, infrastructure, and community programs to address food waste effectively.
Link to food waste & recovery audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogues HERE.
Chef TJ Conwi of Ono Vancouver and ReRoot brings over 24 years of culinary expertise to Vancouver as an executive chef and culinary instructor. Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, TJ found a silver lining by leveraging his skills and industry connections to address food insecurity in the city. Collaborating with organizations like Vancouver Food Runners, he spearheaded efforts to cook and donate over 400,000 meals to six different charities in Downtown Vancouver, while diverting 11 tons of surplus food from landfills. Chef TJ operates his social enterprise with a focus on sustainability, using donated surplus ingredients and shared kitchen facilities to keep costs low. Looking to the future, he envisions creating a food hub in Vancouver to store, distribute, and cook surplus food and offering education opportunities for aspiring chefs.
Link to food waste & recovery audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogues HERE.
Joey Liu – Food Security Manager, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House shared insights on the transformative impact of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Food Networks (VNFNs). These networks, operating within community hubs like neighbourhood houses, serve as vital community connectors, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. Joey highlighted the extensive reach and collaborative nature of VNFNs, with 15 networks partnering with over 200 local organizations. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, VNFNs demonstrated remarkable agility and solidarity, providing essential food support to thousands of individuals through food distribution. However, Joey acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly in addressing growing food insecurity amidst limited funding and resources. She emphasized the need for increased investment in local food systems to ensure equitable access to healthy and culturally appropriate food.
Link to Joey’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogues HERE.
Annie Danliko – Food program participant and past Britannia Community Centre President shared her insights into the significance of neighbourhood food networks. As a Haida descendant, she highlighted the importance of traditional food preservation techniques in her own life, especially amidst challenges like living on disability payments. Annie’s involvement in community cooking initiatives, such as teaching youth culinary skills, underscored the transformative power of food programs. She emphasized the importance of access to culturally appropriate foods, reflecting on her own dietary needs shaped by her heritage. Annie also praised the community’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the pivotal role of community centres like Britannia in providing essential supports and fostering resilience.
Link to Annie’s audio recording from the Food Systems Dialogues HERE.