Feeding 9 Billion Podcasts: "The Haven Project" and "Food Secure Future"

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together researchers and experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a changing climate will threaten the stability of food supply, increase food prices, and lower the nutritional value of certain foods. Our current food system is a major contributor to climate change, and is unsustainable unless changes can be made. New technologies have the ability to reduce our effect on our environment, but they can be costly and not accessible to everyone, leading to further inequalities in our food system. In this episode, we face the challenging question of how we can tackle the work of upgrading our food system, not only to feed a growing population, but to do so in ways that are equitable and socially sustainable.HostsDr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphChelsea Major, MSc Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of GuelphGuestsDr. Sarah Rotz, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York UniversityVisit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.Buy Uncertain Harvest here!

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together researchers and experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. The COVID-19 pandemic caused some major disruptions to the global food system, including restricting travel of seasonal labourers and transportation of food over long distances. Resultingly, alternative food systems like community gardens, farmers' markets, and traditional Indigenous methods of food production, have grown in popularity. But why did we move toward globalization in the first place? Can both of these strategies be used together to create a more resilient food system? Hosts:Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphAlex Glaros, PhD candidate, Dept. of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of GuelphGuests:Lisa Conroy, Community Garden Coordinator, Two Rivers Neighbourhood GroupDr. Pierre Desrochers, Associate Professor, Dept. of Geography, Geomatics & Environment, University of Toronto MississaugaVisit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together researchers and experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. Approximately 40% of food waste in Canada happens at the household level. According to the Guelph Food Waste Research Project, that amounts to around $18 per household per week, or almost $1000 per year! Taking small steps to change our day-to-day habits, like making a list before grocery shopping or learning how to store perishable foods so they will last longer, can help save money, improve nutrition, and reduce environmental stress.Hosts:Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphKiana Gibson, BAS student, Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph / Co-Founder and Co-President of MealCare GuelphGuest:Molly Gallant, Guelph Food Waste Research ProjectGuelph Family Health Study Family Friendly Cookbooks (including the Rock What You've Got Cookbook for reducing food waste)Visit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together researchers and experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. Vertical farming allows us to grow tightly packed crops in an artificial environment, giving us year round access to produce that we may not normally be able to grow at all. The technology has the potential to slow climate change by freeing up traditional cropland and reducing the need for long distance transportation of food. However, vertical farming and its products are costly, which could lead to issues of accessibility in communities that stand to benefit the most. This polarizing technology highlights the differences between food independence and food sovereignty in working toward the goal of worldwide food security.Hosts: Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphChantel Kozachenko, M.A., Dept. of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of Guelph Guests:Dr. Dickson Despommier, Professor Emeritus, Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University (verticalfarm.com)Jackie Milne, Founder & President, Northern Farm Training InstituteVisit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together researchers and experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. Agriculture is always looking for ways to improve. The growing human population and the increasing effects of climate change can result in a lot of pressure on farmers to increase production while at the same time decreasing inputs (like fertilizer or pesticides). How can technology help solve these problems, and how will the farmers producing our food be affected?Hosts: Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphSarah Marquis, PhD student, Institute of the Environment, University of OttawaGuests:Tyler Whale, President, Ontario Agri-Food TechnologiesSarah-Louise Ruder, PhD student, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British ColumbiaVisit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together researchers and experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. Modern consumers are rebuilding their connection with food, which can prove difficult when an often lengthy supply chain separates them from the farms that produced it. How can farmers and consumers foster an open conversation around food, so that we can all play our part in consuming and producing responsibly?Hosts: Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphAbdul-Rahim Abdulai, PhD candidate, Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of GuelphGuests:Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie UniversityCrystal Mackay, CEO, Loft 32Visit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious.  Living in a developed country, we often assume there are little to no challenges when it comes to things like water, food and shelter. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In fact, 4 million people in Canada are considered moderately or severely food insecure. This episode examines the sometimes unseen effects of poverty and food insecurity, and how a combination of policy and education can lead to positive changes.Hosts: Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphMadeleine Arseneau, MSc student, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of GuelphGuests:Danie Martin, Project Officer, Food Secure CanadaSarah Stern, Leader, Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food SecuritySasha McNicoll, Senior Specialist, Policy, Community Food Centres CanadaVisit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

The Food Secure Future Podcast brings together experts from the field to discuss how to feed the future in a way that is healthy, sustainable, and nutritious. Designing, producing, and consuming new types of food (such as lab grown burger patties or fortified milk) has the potential to improve human and environmental health. This episode explores one type of novel food that might make your skin crawl -- eating insects. Hosts: Dr. Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute at the University of GuelphAlex Glaros, PhD candidate, Dept. of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of GuelphGuests:Natalia Martinez, Head Chef and Owner, Cookie MartinezDr. Jarrod Goldin, Co-Founder, Entomo FarmsVisit our website, feeding9billion.com, for more food security educational resources and lesson plans.

With their stomachs empty and health declining, access to Haven's resources could represent life or death for Isa's mom and little brother, like so many others. When Haven's extreme prejudice against Outsiders leaves them with little hope, what can Isa and Markus do to help?

Isa is a talented cook, popular for posting inventive recipes on her online repository "Slim Pickins." Markus, a friend, wants her to apply for the new Chef position. But there's only one problem...  Isa is an Outsider. How will Haven react to her application?

Tensions escalate between Haven's security force and the Outsiders as attempts to breach Haven's walls become more and more frequent. How far will Haven go to protect their way of life? Can Lianne make a difference in her new role as Lieutenant?

Back in Haven, Lianne is offered an opportunity for a promotion from her position as a guard, after finding out that two teenagers from the Outside (Alanna and James) faced swift and final punishment after attempting to break into the Project the night before. When she raises her concerns about the decision with Allison, she finds out not everything is as it seems. What would you do in Lianne's situation?

Sophea is settling in at her job with the Real Meals company... even though she hasn't actually tried one yet. In the city, Sophea is the Outsider, because of her different mannerisms and the things she eats. Similar to northern Canada, it's difficult to access food in the city. The climate prevents year round produce farming, and fresh food must be shipped long distances to get there, leading to prices most can't afford. Real Meals evolved from this desperate need for nutritious, affordable, accessible food, and many in the city count on them for survival.But just what is a "Real Meal" anyway?

Sophea grew up in Haven, but has always felt like she belongs somewhere else. After moving to the big city, she gets herself a job at Real Meals, an up-and-coming company working to combat food insecurity with quality food to meet people's needs and budget. But with her preference for fresh home-cooked meals over the pre-prepared and microwaveable Real Meals, Sophea finds she doesn't quite fit in.

Marlene Schulz is Haven's Councillor of Defense, and the reason the community was able to survive the tumultuous period of civil unrest after the famine hit. Cameron Hallen is the brilliant scientist responsible for the success of the vertical agriculture system that continues to feed its citizens. They are the two remaining founders of their community, but they hold conflicting views for its future. 

Dr. Hallen is the creator of Haven's Vertical Agriculture Tubing (V.A.T.) system. With its iconic green towers and ability to produce fresh food in a controlled indoor environment, the V.A.T. system has become an integral part of Haven's identity. In this episode of The Haven Project, join Dr. Hallen as they reflect on the decisions that led them to this point (with the help of guard Elli).

After their group attempts a dangerous mission to steal food from the city's market, Alanna and James narrowly escape being captured by police. Unable to return to the city, they report back to headquarters for their next orders. What are the next steps for this group in their quest for fresh food?

This episode takes a look at what life is like in a city not too far from Haven. Without the means to produce enough fresh food, residents of the city pay a premium for the fruits and vegetables imported from other parts of the world. Most people are living off of the more affordable processed food brand Real Meals. Desperate, two teens join a rebel group planning to steal food from the heavily guarded market where Haven is making a drop off.BACKGROUNDAccording to the 2020 PROOF report, drawing on data from Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey conducted in 2017 and 2018, 12.7% of all Canadian households had experienced food insecurity in the previous 12 months. In comparison, the following proportions of northern populations experienced food insecurity during the same time period:57.0% of households in Nunavut;21.6% of households in the Northwest Territories; and16.9% of households in the Yukon.This is partially due to higher food costs in these locations. High food prices in Canada's north are caused by a number of reasons, including higher costs of transportation, unreliability of food availability, and low puchasing power due to smaller populations and fewer grocery stores. A family in northern Canada would pay around double what a family in southern Canada would for the same amount and type of food!Learn more:Tarasuk V, Mitchell A. (2020). Household food insecurity in Canada, 2017-18. Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF). Retrieved from https://proof.utoronto.ca/Veeraraghavan, G., Martin, D., Burnett, K., Jamal, A., Skinner, K., Ramsay, M., Williams, P., et. al. (2016). Paying for Nutrition: A Report on Food Costing in the North. Ottawa: Food Secure Canada. Retrieved from https://foodsecurecanada.org/Infographic summary

The community of Haven exists in a world where climate change has severely affected the world's capacity to produce food, leading to skyrocketing food prices and widespread food insecurity. The citizens of Haven are part of a minority that enjoy plentiful food, partly thanks to the possibility of farming in the now-temperate north, and partly due to proprietary technological advancements that they keep under wraps. How did Haven come to exist, how long can they thrive in this bleak world, and how will they deal with the threat of Outsiders? In the first episode of The Haven Project, we join the community as they commemorate the recent passing of one of their founders, Chef Jacob Ascott, and take a closer look at the tensions that surround the issue of securing a safe supply of food for their community.BACKGROUNDThe fictional world in this podcast series may seem extreme, but it's based on real trends from our own world. Climate change is shifting growing conditions for globally important crops into higher latitudes and altitudes. Developing new climate-driven agricultural frontiers, however, could have serious environmental consequences, threatening biodiversity, water quality, and carbon storage.Learn more:Hannah, L., Roehrdanz, P.R., Krishna Bahadur, K.C., Fraser, E.D.G., Donatti, C.I., Saenz, L., Wright, T.M., et al. (2020). The environmental consequences of climate-driven agricultural frontiers. PLoS ONE, 15 (2), art. no. e0228305.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228305