This post written by Katie Berger – Environmental Studies Graduate Student
The Toronto Youth Food Policy Council (TYFPC) held its first community meeting of the season this past Monday, September 12th. From 6-8pm I and almost fifty other young people met to discuss issues close to our hearts…and our tummies.
So you may be wondering…
What is the TYFPC?
The TYFPC is an organization founded in 2009 by Tracy Phillippi, a graduate of York University’s Master of Environmental Studies program. It represents Toronto’s youth in food policy discussions and “envisions a Toronto where youth are informed, empowered and mobilized to build a just food system.” To this end, the Council, committee and community members work together to help educate youth about food policy, and provide opportunities for youth with a passion for food to network and get involved in Toronto’s food scene. In addition to their bi-monthly community meetings which take place on the first Monday of every month, the TYFPC organizes a culinary literacy competition each November called So You(th) Think You Can Cook, and a youth food system opportunities fair in the Spring. They also organize a Youth Food Journal looking at various food system issues.
How YOU can get involved!
The TYFPC is seeking new members of all stripes! There are places to be filled on the Council itself and if you’re quick you can still apply (the deadline is this Monday, September 19th)! They are also looking for volunteers to sit on one or more of their four committees: Research & Policy, Communications & Social Media, Event & Community Relations and Council Development, which requires less of a time commitment. In addition, submissions for the Youth Food Journal are always needed and everyone is welcome to join as a community member and attend meetings and events as time and interest permits!
For more details on all of the exciting opportunities with the TYFPC visit http://tyfpc.ca/.
My First TYFPC Experience
While I had heard and read quite a lot about the TYFPC in my courses (I completed the post graduate certificate in Food Security from Ryerson) I was an online learner, living in the Niagara region so I had never actually had a face to face introduction to the organization. Now that I’ve moved to Toronto for graduate school, I am VERY excited to take advantage of all of the amazing opportunities this great city has to offer us up and coming foodies! The chance presented itself when I attended one of the bi-monthly food meetings and found myself surrounded by a whole group of like-minded young people…what a great feeling! Many of us seemed a little nervous and unsure at first, but about one minute into the (very entertaining) ‘Foodie BINGO’ ice breaker activity everyone warmed right up! After a brief introduction of the Council members, we all had the chance to make announcements about relevant job postings and upcoming events that others may want to attend and/or get involved in. Among MANY others, contributions included a call to volunteer with Food Forward’s actions to get food and farming on to the provincial election agenda (http://pushfoodforward.com/) and a research assistant position at U of T investigating effects of the food system on human health. An interesting presentation by Chris Wong on Urban Agriculture in Toronto, London and South Africa followed, and we were then introduced to the new co-Chairs Michelle German and Grace Yogaretnam who seemed super excited to be heading the Council this year. We spent the final part of meeting in an open brainstorming session on what we would like the TYFPC to explore this year. Ideas abounded and the variation was astounding! Ideas included comparative urban agriculture, race justice around food issues, relationships between food systems and urban planning, food production and nutrition education in schools, food deserts, open source food production systems, and sustainable food in public institutions. A lively discussion ensued…the enthusiasm was palpable. It all made for a truly pleasant and inspiring evening!
So bring your ideas and an open mind and come on out and join us at the next meeting on November 7th!