SFU food leaders share sustainability strides at UN Food Systems Summit

A trio of leaders from SFU-s food programming team is in Rome this week for the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit to share how SFU and Chartwells Canada, the university's on-campus food service provider, are innovating to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SFU delegates-Sid Mehta, senior director of Ancillary Services, Tammara Soma, professor of Resource & Environmental Management and Chef Steph Baryluk, recipe creator and cultural educator behind SFU-s Rooted program-together with Chartwells, are showcasing how their local food sourcing model contributes to meeting food security SDGs while also achieving industry-leading local food targets. Key to SFU-s growing leadership in advancing local food programming is the SFU Food program , which from the onset has sought to incorporate more local options and support local food suppliers and businesses. The team is currently procuring up to 40 per cent of its food supply locally-and aiming to reach 50 per cent. -In this critical conversation, we aim to stimulate fresh perspectives and inspire comprehensive action towards transforming our food systems,- says Mehta, who joined SFU after several years in the food sector. -SFU-s food programs are focused on responsible consumption, production and sustainability. Our commitment to supporting a robust food ecosystem allows us to contribute towards the UN SDGs.