Community Food Systems

Food isn't just what we eat. Eating is only one part of a vast global system that grows, processes, packages, markets, and ultimately discards food. Regrettably, today's industrial food system is failing not only our communities, but also our environment and our bodies. But there is an alternative recipe for food—a sustainable one—that promises to bring food and agriculture back into our communities so that they're more vibrant, vital, and healthy for everyone.

Drawing from leading food system practitioners and best practices from across North America, we will explore a broad scope of community food system opportunities, including land use planning, urban design strategies, bringing food into land and economic development efforts, and successful grassroots initiatives.

Emphasizing implementation, we will explore topics such as how to get local decision-makers on board and using social media and other communication techniques effectively. You'll learn through presentations, panels involving a range of guest speakers, and large- and small-group discussion and activities so you and others in the course can consider the role of food in your communities, organizations, and sustainability efforts.

This is an essential course for mid-career professionals in the emerging field of community food systems—the next "big thing" in sustainability.

Janine de la Salle, planner, food, and agriculture systems specialist, HB Lanarc

Guest speakers include the following:
Mark Holland, vice-president, New Monaco Enterprise Corporation
Peter Ladner, author, The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities
Tara McDonald, executive director, Vancouver Farmers Markets
Joaquin Karakas, urban designer, HB Lanarc
Brent Mansfield, co-chair, Vancouver Food Policy Council
David Van Seters, Local Food Business Leader
Erik Karlsen, consultant
Wendy Mendes, adjunct professor, School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia
And others