Accomplishments – Toronto Youth Food Policy Council

We have done a lot since 2008. Here are a few of our highlights:

Grew from a small group of 5 people, to a council of 15 and community of 200
Organized and distributed the first youth food journal, giving youth the opportunity to share their academic writing and build their resume
Held two Youth Food Fairs that brought together 30 food and social just organizations and 300 youth
Held three So You Think You(th) Can Cook competitions that showcased youths’ culinary skills at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Created a space for youth to network, learn from one another, and share opportunities at bi-monthly community meetings
Actively communicated with Toronto’s youth food audience through social media
Secured two permanent youth seats on the Toronto Food Policy Council
Was part of the consultation process for the Toronto Food Strategy
Consulted with youth across North America to form respective youth food policy council’s in Vancouver, Nova Scotia, North Carolina, and Sourthern California
Presented and facilitated conversations at several conferences and workshops, including those held by Food Secure Canada, Community Food Security Coalition, Food Forward, FoodShare, Meal Exchange, and the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council

Hosted 5 community events with varying themes including: young food entrepreneurs, sustainable food procurement, developing national food policy, city planning and urban agriculture
Published the first peer reviewed youth journal featuring 12 young writers, The Gathering: A Youth Perspective on Food Issues
Designed and delivered Food Policy 101 workshops to youth groups across Toronto
Mentored 8 service learning students from different Toronto based colleges and universities
Worked closely with a variety of partners including: Sustain Ontario, Black Creek Community Farm, Everdale Farm, City Seeds Farm, Fidel Gastro Food Truck, Food Forward, Local Food Plus, University of Toronto, Regent Park Neighbourhood Initiative, Food Secure Canada, Justice for Migrant Workers, Bento Miso, and Tiffinday
Became a member of Food Secure Canada’s Youth Caucus

Published statements on the Federal Food Policy and the Struggle for food sovereignty in Canada
Published the Eat, Feel, Create Zine exploring mental health and food

Hosted 3 community events with varying themes including: migrant farmer rights, student food insecurity on college and university campuses, and highlighting youth-led initiatives during COVID-19
Published Volume 3 of the Mélange Creative Arts Journal featuring the artwork and stories of 35 youth
Hosted a Virtual Art Night with local youth
Spoke at the Just Food: because it is never just food 2021 Joint Annual Conference led by the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS), Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society (AFHVS), Canadian Association for Food Studies (CAFS), The Society for the Anthropology of Food and Nutrition (SAFN), and hosted by the Culinary Institute of America and New York University.
Released a statement with Considerations for Treating Youth Equitably in Non-profits