Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) builds partnerships between industry and a new generation of food systems expertise.

Today in Winnipeg, Manitoba marks day 2 of the Cultivating Ideas: Solutions in Scaling Sustainable Agriculture Hackathon brought groups of learners and students from universities, colleges, and communities across Western Canada to solve food systems challenges brought forward by industry partners. Together, partners including McCain, Nature United, TELUS, and the South East Research Farm are working with students to develop actionable plans that will make Canada’s food system more sustainable, more productive and more resilient . 

While the community partners and students have been hard at work w, another partner has been working on a related initiative that will not only help build SF4C’s ability to train and connect agriculture’s future leaders, but will create market, skills and finance solutions that invest in the future of Canadian agriculture.  

Today, RBC announced RBC Regenerate, a program designed to convene business, industry, education and government in agriculture to help cultivate a world-leading sector that feeds Canadians more affordably and sells high quality products to consumers around the globe. RBC Regenerate, is building on increasing momentum in the agricultural sector, including the SF4C network and CANZA’s Million Acre Challenge that was announced earlier this week to scale regenerative farming in Canada. 

Following a day of intensive and collaborative workshopping,  participants of the event joined Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew for the RBC announcement that will entail a $5 million five-year investment in Manitoba as part of a national movement that connects farmers, NGOs, CANZA, Nature United, Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) and Indigenous sustainable farming initiatives to ensure Canadian producers thrive while regenerating the land for years to come. 

With this announcement, and the optimism and momentum it represents, participating groups will head into a second day of the Hackathon that will involve pitching to a panel of expert judges who will evaluate the potential of each idea. 

“This isn’t just about ensuring companies talk to students and new innovators,” says Dr. Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph and judge of the pitch competition, “This is about creating a moment in for Canada where we can make agriculture and food the launch pad that feeds the world, helps mitigate the climate crisis, and creates jobs and economic opportunities for our country. Right now, all eyes are on these sectors, new technologies are developing every day, and this event and announcement from RBC are only reinforcing what we knew when we built SF4C. Agriculture and food is Canada’s chance to lead globally, and we are well on our way.” 

Read the full release about RBC’s new programming here. 

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Please reach out to Aaron Misener, Communications Manager at the Arrell Food Institute with any questions.