Reports, Op-eds & Interviews

Reports

Op-eds

  • School gardens and kitchens could grow with Ontario’s proposed food literacy act

    By Alicia Martin and Amberley Ruetz (Conversation Canada, May 2021)

    Ontario’s Food Literacy for Students Act (Bill 216) aims to make food literacy mandatory for all Ontario students in grades 1-12 to “ensure that students are given opportunities to grow food, prepare food and learn about local foods.”

    See publication

  • A National School Food Program should be part of Ottawa's Stimulus Package

    By Amberley Ruetz, Evan Fraser, John Smithers and Jess Haines (Policy Options, October 2020)

    Providing healthy school food would support all families, and a buy-Canada focus would help the agriculture, food service, and construction sectors

    See publication

  • Time for Action: Critical next steps to create a National School Food Program

    by Jess Haines and Amberley Ruetz (The Hill Times, March 2020)

    “Time for Action: Critical next steps to create a National School Food Program” by Dr. Jess Haines and Amberley Ruetz. This op-ed originally appeared in the Hill Times on March 12, 2020 under the title “Feds should take steps to create national food program for schools”.

    Full Report: Comprehensive, Integrated Food and Nutrition Programs in Canadian Schools: A Healthy and Sustainable Approach

    Policy Brief: School Food & Nutrition: The Brief

  • National School Food Program a short-term opportunity for jobs creation and economic growth

    By Amberley Ruetz and Dr. Evan Fraser (Canadian Science Policy Centre, March 2019)

    The implementation of a National School Food Program in Canada could create as many as 207,700 jobs and contribute $4.8 Billion in domestic food purchases by 2029.

    See publication

  • Federal budget pledges a Canadian school food program but recipe requires funding

    By Amberley Ruetz and Dr. Sara Kirk (Conversation Canada, March 2019)

    “Food at school can improve children’s health and academic outcomes while creating economic opportunities for local, sustainable agriculture”

    See publication

  • ‘Farm-to-school’ Movement Takes Root in Canada

    by Amberley Ruetz and Dr. John Smithers (Conversation Canada, August 2018)

    A “farm-to-school” movement is growing fast across Canada but there has been little research to evaluate their potential to support local food systems and economic development. My OMAFRA-funded research will examine the farm-to-school phenomenon as an agri-food value chain and assess how these programs might evolve to expand the scope and sustainability of local food systems in Ontario

    See publication

    Article republished by Toronto.com; the Weather Network, the Hamilton Spectator, York Region News, BizCommunity, and the University of Guelph News.

  • How to make a National School Food Program happen

    by Amberley Ruetz and Dr. Sara Kirk (Conversation Canada, August 2018)

    The article gained considerable media attention, with over 24+ interviews on CBC morning shows across the country. The article was republished by the Huffington Post Canada, the Huffington Post, the Winnipeg Free Press, the Halifax Chronicle Herald, the University of Dalhousie News, the University of Guelph News and the Huntsville Doppler.

    See publication

  • Agri-food incubator seeks to disrupt the food industry

    Guelph Today

    Accelerator Guelph participants set out to create a low-cost fruit and vegetable snack to be included in school lunches that will also address farm waste.

    See publication

  • Inaugural Arrell Scholarships Awarded

    Arrell Food Institute

    The five inaugural scholars are from Sri Lanka, Russia, Afghanistan and Canada, with each studying distinct fields varying from data science to nutrition.

    Read more

Interviews

  • How the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council can support school food in Canada

    Federal Ministry of Agriculture Announcement

    I had the pleasure of being in conversation with Dr. Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute and newly appointed co-chair of the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council, after Minister Bibeau’s announcement on Friday, February 19, 2021. Catch my remarks about how the new council can support school food in Canada starting at 27:20 & 30:00.

  • A National School Food Program in Canada

    CTV Interview, CTV National with Angie Seth

    Interviewed on CTV about why Canada does not have a National School Food Program, how to make it happen, and why all children and our economy can benefit from healthy food at school [Sept 16, 2018].

    Watch the interview by clicking here.

  • The 'Farm-to-School' Movement in Canada

    CBC Interview, Here and Now Toronto

    Discussed the economic potential of local food purchasing by Ontario schools to support regional food systems and economic development. This research will examine the farm-to-school phenomenon as an agri-food value chain and assess how these programs might evolve to expand the scope and sustainability of local food systems in Ontario.

    [Sept 4, 2018]

  • RBC Disruptors Podcast

    Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

    A discussion with RBC Disruptors on how digital disruption is changing the skills we’ll need for the future of work.

    Full Article: https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/disruptors/