Registration Open for Urban Food Systems aka Critical Food Justice Issues Course
UBC School of Community and Regional Planning
Open to UBC Graduate Students (non-Planning students require instructor permission)
Over the last 15 years, the incorporation of food systems thinking and practice has become commonplace in city halls, urban planning programs, and other arenas of public policy conversation. Once a stranger to the planning field, food now has a place at the table. At the same time, the alternative (i.e. local and organic) food movement is increasingly more mainstream than fringe with Vancouver as its poster child. The aspiring ‘Greenest City’ touts a robust offering of urban agriculture, farmers markets, artisanal food trucks, and compost heaps – the sum of which would delight Michael Pollan to no end.
While these successes should be recognized as such, there is a ‘dark side’ of urban food systems policy and planning where questions of social justice are concerned. The benefits and burdens of the food system are not being shared fairly as colonization, racism, sexism, and poverty, among other living legacies of power and privilege, govern rampant inequity. Food and the food system are powerful tools for both perpetuating as well as reconciling social injustice. In the course we will explore how food systems planning, policy, and on the ground projects are leading to or inhibiting social justice for all.
This condensed 1-credit course diverges from typical food systems planning teaching as it will provide only a very basic foundation in urban food systems policy and planning and thereafter focus on unpacking some of Vancouver’s most salient food justice issues. The course takes a dialogic and experiential learning approach by welcoming guests to the course each week, by taking field trips, and with an emphasis on facilitated discussion rather than lecturing.
This is a place based course using Vancouver and the surrounding region as our domains for critical inquiry. The course will also importantly take place in the heart of the city at the UBC Learning Exchange from 5:30-8:30 PM September 8, 15, 22, 29 and October 6.
Currently confirmed speakers include leaders from:
- Vancouver Food Policy Council
- BC Food Systems Network Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty
- City of Vancouver Social Planning and Sustainability Departments
- Fresh Roots Urban Farm
- Greater Vancouver Food Bank
- Downtown Eastside Kitchen Tables Project/Potluck Café
- Hua Foundation
- Sanctuary Health
For more details see the course outline: http://www.scarp.ubc.ca/courses/current-issues-planning-urban-food-systems-draft
Student Service Centre course page: https://courses.students.ubc.ca/cs/main?pname=subjarea&tname=subjareas&req=3&dept=PLAN&course=548Z
To contact the instructor: Zsuzsi Fodor zsuzsi.s.fodor@gmail.com
Zsuzsi Fodor
Consultant & Facilitator | Food Systems Planning, Policy & Community Development
Adjunct Professor | UBC School of Community and Regional Planning
Member | Vancouver Food Policy Council
778.855.0077 | @zedfo