Part 2 of Youth and Food in Waterloo Region: Cultivating the Next Generation
Engaging youth in food systems is key to building a sustainable and equitable future. In our last blog post, we discussed the development and impact of the Nurture program, which focused on youth-led food forest gardens at schools in Waterloo Region. In this post, we’re excited to share the work of Youth in Food Systems (YFS), a program of Seeds of Diversity that has collaborated with Nurture on school gardens, as well as facilitating youth markets, communications projects, and more!
Beyond School Gardens
Youth in Food Systems began in 2017 by focusing on school gardens, giving students the opportunity to learn about food production in a practical way. Since then, YFS has helped create 47 school gardens across Waterloo Region! It has also expanded to offer a range of initiatives that help young people learn about food systems, build skills, and explore careers in agriculture and food.
Since April 2021, over 415 youth aged 14-19 have participated in YFS initiatives, contributing more than 3,800 hours of community service.
Giving Youth a Voice
One of the program’s ultimate goals is for youth to see themselves as future leaders in the creation of sustainable and equitable food systems. With this leadership focus in mind, the program takes a youth-driven approach that gives participants a say in decision-making within a supportive environment.
“The youth of today – these 14, 15, 16 year olds who are just beginning to discover their interests and motivations – will be the people at the forefront of building economically and environmentally sustainable food systems in the coming decades. It will take innovation, passion, skills, and leadership from the upcoming generations to achieve what we all need and deserve: just food systems.”
~ Rayna Almas, Youth in Food Systems
What’s on YFS’s Plate for 2025?
YFS continues to grow and evolve, with new opportunities for youth starting up this season. Here are a few key initiatives to look out for in 2025:
- The Youth Food Market is a series of youth-led, accessible produce stalls that run each summer in Waterloo Region, with a portion of the produce grown at school gardens sold and distributed through the Market.
- A pay-what-you-choose model in priority neighbourhoods in Kitchener helps make locally grown food accessible to everyone.
- In 2025, the Market will expand to Cambridge, with more market days, more food distributed, and more opportunities for youth leadership!
- Youth Seed Stewardship is a new pilot project focused on seed saving and sharing. The Inter-School Seed Library launching in early 2025 will be open to school communities across Waterloo Region.
- The Food Leader Interview Series is a province-wide initiative that features youth-led interviews of diverse leaders in the food industry. Season 4 will continue into early 2025, with a reimagined Season 5 launching in summer 2025.
In a 2023 survey of youth participants in YFS programs, 87% agreed or strongly agreed that they feel more motivated to contribute to a stronger and more sustainable food system.
Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities and Community Engagement
Whether it’s by taking on a formal role or just learning more, students, adult volunteers, and interested community members can all support YFS’s work!
- Youth can find information and sign ups for Market Leaders, School Garden Leaders and other roles on the YFS Join Us page.
- Adult Allies are invited to support the Seed Stewardship project and school garden team. Email info@youthinfoodsystems.ca for more details.
- Agri-food students and professionals can express interest in being interviewed for Season 5 of the Interview Series.
- All community members can show their support by reading and sharing the blog, following YFS on social media, and watching and sharing the Food Leaders Interview Series.
“As an isolated, all-season urban farmer, volunteering with YFS is my form of self-care! YFS works with a humble and open approach that honours the land and the processes of learning for everyone, through both experiences and mentorship. Growing in diverse public spaces is a complex puzzle and we have fun putting it together, with joy and friendship.”
~ Sarah Granskou, Volunteer Mentor
The youth of today will be the ones leading the charge toward a more sustainable and just food system in the years ahead. We hope you’ll join YFS in supporting the next generation of food leaders!