University of British Columbia Food System Project

Authors: Alejandro Rojas Liska Richer Julia Wagner

Publish Date: 2007/03/03

Volume: 4, Issue: 1, Pages: 86-94

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Abstract

In this profile article we report what we consider to be a rich learning experience which intertwines pedagogy and research a process of communitybased action research which has initiated a transition towards the sustainability of the University of British Columbia’s UBC food system We call this initiative the UBC Food System Project UBCFSP The UBCFSP is a jointly initiated project between the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and the UBC Sustainability Office and includes nine UBC organizational partners and one collaborator The project emerged out of the recognition that our global national regional and local food systems are increasingly characterized as socially ecologically and economically insecure and unsustainable As a result these food systems are experiencing an array of vulnerabilities particularly those that are demonstrated by profound disruptions in our ecosystem and in a worldwide epidemic of malnutrition The overall objective of the project is to conduct a campuswide UBC food system sustainability assessment where barriers that hinder and opportunities to make transitions towards food system sustainability are being collaboratively identified and implemented This article is part of a series intending to share the experiences gathered so far through the project The purpose of this profile is to provide a brief overview of the UBC Food System Project including the context and significance both the pedagogical approach and research methods and some accomplishments to dateMany thanks to the Faculty of Land and Food Systems formerly Faculty of Agricultural Sciences AGSC 450 Land Food and Community III Teaching Team our UBC Food System Project partners and collaborators and the Agricultural Science AGSC 450 students whose patience hard work and dedication are what made this project possible Parts of this article were also published in a Spanish journal Ambiente y Desarrollo Environment and Development February Summer Volume XXII 2006 and also online as a working paper posted on the UBC Food System Project website http//wwwlandfoodubcca/courses/agsc/450/project/files/pressandpublicationshtm

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