Join us for discussions of how we can shift to sustainable food systems in the city!
About this event
On June 16th, join Toronto Global Shapers and Youth Climate Save Canada for a discussion on city-level solutions we can implement to transition to sustainable food systems in the midst of our climate emergency. We will discuss highly requested topics such as access to fresh local produce in cities, composting in apartment buildings and preventing food waste, transitioning cities to plant-rich diets, and more. With 5 minute presentations from each speaker on how you can get involved in the issues and a 15 minute 1:1 virtual networking session after the event, it is sure to be an action packed, inspiring and insightful lunchtime of learning!
Format: The event format will feature 5 minute presentations from each speaker on their aspect of the issue and ways to get involved, followed by an open Q&A. The event will also have a virtual networking portion facilitated through Meetaway after the Q&A, please register for that separately here
Meet the various organizations represented!
Toronto Global Shapers: With a focus on inclusive leadership and driving impact, the Toronto Hub of the Global Shapers provides emerging young leaders with opportunities for personal leadership development while growing a strong network of civic-minded peers across the globe. We convene leaders to help catalyze change on the tough issues & big opportunities facing our city and the world. Together with our partners in Toronto and from the Forum, we encourage Shapers to fully understand the issues that confront people in our region, to actively connect with and contribute to the community, and to influence positive change through meaningful volunteering and launching local projects
Youth Climate Save: Our mission is to create national momentum around a transition to healthy, sustainable food systems through policy advocacy, building alliances, and knowledge mobilization. Our food systems are broken. 1/3 of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions come from our food systems, with animal agriculture the main cause of methane and nitrous oxide emissions nationally.
Plant Based Treaty: The Plant Based Treaty is a landmark international treaty and first of its kind to put food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis. The adoption of a Plant Based Treaty as a companion to the UNFCCC/Paris Agreement will put food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis. The Treaty aims to halt the widespread degradation of critical ecosystems caused by animal agriculture, to promote a shift to more healthy, sustainable plant-based diets and to actively reverse damage done to planetary functions, ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Reusables.com: Reusables is a container sharing platform for takeout food, coffee and more from your favorite stores. Our stainless steel vessels can be used hundreds of times and are fully recyclable at end of life. We supply cafes, restaurants and grocery stores with reusables.
Lighter Foodprint: Through research, data, and educational content, we help food services reduce their climate impact through a climate labelling system. We calculate the carbon intensity of each menu item and communicate it through in-store labels with the mission to empower consumers to make more sustainable and informed food choices.
Food Cycle Science: Food Cycle Science provides organic food waste recycling for the food service industry. Our food waste solutions have the potential to eliminate much of the more than 70 million tons of food waste directed to our landfills each year. These zero-waste solutions meet governmental diversion goals and provide our customers with cost-efficient methods for onsite organic waste reduction and conversion.
Green Communities Canada: Green Communities Canada is a national non-profit that supports grassroots-led climate action through leadership, connection, training, and funding.
Re_Generation: We’re a group of Canada’s most impact-focused students and young professionals — using our energy to open doors for the next generation of sustainability leaders. Programs and resources include tools to re_imagine your school through building awareness and changing curriculum, re_purpose your career through industry guides and a job board, and re_model your company by turning any job into a climate job.
Veg Climate Network & VegTO: VegTO envisions a world where people think critically about their food choices, where growing numbers of businesses, community groups, and organizations inspire people to make healthier, greener, more compassionate choices, and where nutritious, sustainable, plant-based foods are accessible to all. The Veg Climate Network (VCN) is a global initiative that will address agricultural-driven climate change through the increased adoption of plant-based food.
Toronto Veg Food Bank: The Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank (TVFB), established January 2015, is a volunteer-powered registered charity. Our mission is to provide healthy, environmentally-responsible and cruelty-free food to vegetarians in need. We are committed to providing all vegan-friendly food (at least 50% of which is fresh whole foods) to those in need who are vegetarian, vegan, or actively transitioning to a veg diet.
Plant-Based Data: Explore our library of peer-reviewed articles and summaries on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.
Not Far From The Tree: Not Far From The Tree is a project on MakeWay Charitable Society’s Shared Platform, a registered Canadian charity. We’re Toronto’s fruit picking and sharing project. Did you know Toronto is home to a massive urban orchard? Over 1.5 million pounds of fruit grows right here in the city every year. We work to connect generous tree registrants with excess fruit to volunteers in their community who are willing to pick and share it. No good fruit should fall to waste when so many people can use it! The bounty from each fruit pick is split 3 ways: ⅓ is provided to the tree registrant, ⅓ is split amongst the picking volunteers, and ⅓ is delivered via cargo bike to one of our 36 social service agency partners, including food banks, community kitchens, supportive housing programs, and community health centres.
Meet our speakers!
Nika Moeini: Nika is an Iranian-Canadian author, policy analyst, and climate activist. She is the Organizer of Youth Climate Save Canada, a youth-run organization of youth 14-25 which educates on the link between climate change and animal agriculture, and advocates for policies to transition to sustainable food systems at the various levels of government while educating youth on the issues. Nika is the Youth Ambassador for Canada with the Plant Based Treaty, a global campaign to transition to sustainable food systems. Nika holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of British Columbia, and has held various policy analyst roles at Global Affairs Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada, and is currently employed with Environment and Climate Change Canada as a policy analyst with the proposed Coal Mining Effluent Regulations. Nika is a Fellow with the Social Innovation Academy, part of the RAD Cohort with Youth Climate Lab, a Policy Advocacy Coordinator with the Re_Generation, and a Global Shaper with Global Shapers Toronto.
Anastasia Kiku: Anastasia is a driven young female founder committed to creating a world where no resources are wasted. Her passion emerges at the intersection of efficiency and sustainability, both of which she has been introduced to in university. Through studying Operations & Logistics at the Sauder School of Business, Anastasia realized the opportunity to build more sustainable systems by maximizing the use of existing resources instead of extracting virgin materials. As an immigrant, Anastasia brings a global perspective and is not afraid of stepping outside her comfort zone to go big. Her background as a professional alpine ski racer has taught her discipline and the self-motivation required to have success as an entrepreneur. In her spare time, you'll find Anastasia in the mountains.
Ami Gagné: Ami (she/her/elle) is a passionate storyteller and social & climate justice activist. She holds a strong belief that stories, and creativity are among the most powerful tools to (un)learn perspectives, (re)connect with people and create transformative change. Ami is passionate about creating spaces and amplifying the voices of BIPOC youths in her community, centering conversations around climate justice and sustainable waste management practices.
Nital Jethalal: Nital has been involved with VegTO for 25 years, previously serving on the Program Review Committee, then on the Board of Directors, and now as President. Twenty-five years ago, Nital’s father, a plant-based physician, introduced him to research and clinical practice that demonstrated the power of whole-food, plant-based lifestyles and opened Nital’s eyes to veganism beyond ethics. He has since advocated and raised awareness about how plant-based living can be a solution to many of today’s challenges. Having worked in strategic policy at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Nital questioned what would happen in Canada if everyone transitioned to a plant-based diet. As a result, he founded Plant-Based Economics, an NGO focused on evaluating plant-based nutrition economics and policy. In addition, Nital joined the Plant-Based Data team, a plant-based research platform, as a nutrition economic researcher. Nital is passionate about plant-based food strategy in Toronto as the city increasingly focuses on climate change commitments (following last year’s C40 Copenhagen Summit). This focus is enhanced by his time with the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, where he sits on the Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master’s of Science (international economics) from Queen’s University. He enjoys yoga, reading, basketball, chess, and spending time with his family.
Julia Girmenia: Julia Girmenia is the Project Director of Not Far From The Tree, Toronto’s only fruit picking and sharing program in the Greater Toronto Area. NFFTT focuses on building community, protecting the environment and providing locally grown fresh fruit to those who need it. For over ten years, she has worked with organizations and initiatives across Canada to create and deliver public programming and events for all age groups. With a background in marketing, communications and project management, Julia has developed and supported programming that focus on the arts, education, youth employment, mentorship connections, public art, intersectional feminism, city building, food insecruity, sustainability and COMMUNITY BUILDING! She enjoys being creative and collaborative to develop initiatives that have real impact on the communities being served. During this time, Julia has had the opportunity to lead two organizations, produce a theater production, and started an initiative that collects menstruation products and raises funds for reusable goods to be donated to those in need.