Food insecurity is a growing issue amongst communities, leaving many Canadians without access to nutritious, affordable, sufficient, and culturally acceptable food. Food insecurity is often linked to poverty, unemployment, education, hunger, as well as environmental pollution. In response, a strategic approach to food is needed to address these issues and an understanding of how the Municipal Government plays a key role in this. In this second episode, we talk to food policy experts Melana Roberts and Jessica Reeve.
Melana Roberts is the chair of the Toronto Youth Food Policy Council. She holds an MA in Development Studies from York University, with a focus on Community Development, Agriculture and Community Health Systems, and has experience leading food security, health promotion, and public arts projects in Canada, Ecuador, Guyana, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Jessica Reeve is the coordinator of the Toronto Food Policy Council. She is also a Health Policy Specialist for Toronto Public Health’s Food Strategy Team and has worked in Councillor Joe Mihevc’s office at City Hall where she was the point person on health and food policy. Jessica has a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University where she focused on food policy and community advocacy.
Leanna Mora, Host
Luke Adams, Producer
Ahmad Al Ramahi & Katerina Kalenteridis, Technical Producers
Samira Basir, Executive Producer
Music Credits
Shape of You Instrumental by Ed Sheeran
Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara
Mama by Cat Clyde
Beyond the Headlines 