November 18-20, 2020 – Online
Arrell Food Summit 2020
2020 was a year like no other. 2020’s Summit sparked conversations around moving forward, building resilience and thriving following year’s events. Agri-food leaders explained how they adapted to changing circumstances and shared how the pandemic and cultural shifts are opportunities to thrive in 2021 and beyond.
Day 1 Kick-Off
A special welcome from UofG’s President and a chat with Arrell Global Food Innovation Award winner, Appetite for Change’s co-founder Michelle Horovitz
Opening Keynote
“What happens in Canada has an impact on Kenya, and vice versa. We need to appreciate that and start working from there.”
Dr. Agnes Kalibata
UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to the 2021 Food Systems Summit
BIPOC Perspectives in Food Production
Food producers representing different parts of the food system shared their stories and ideas about the challenges of food production in 2020, the existing problems the pandemic exacerbated, and lessons learned that will help everyone build a more inclusive and diverse food system.
Speakers:
- Bil Thorn, Sky Island Farm
- Cheyenne Sundance, Sundance Harvest
- Christopher Ramsaroop, Justice for Migrant Workers
- Stephanie Quinn-Davidson, Yukon River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Day 2 Keynote
“We know what is necessary to address global hunger. What we require is public will and global commitment”
Ertharin Cousin, Former Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme
A Conversation with Million Belay
Achieving Food Sovereignty in Africa with Agroecology
Dr. Philip Loring, Arrell Chair in Food, Policy and Society, sat down for a virtual chat with Dr. Million Belay, coordinator for the Alliance for Food Sovereignty for Africa, a Pan-African platform representing small holder farmers, pastoralists, hunter/gatherers, indigenous peoples, citizens and environmentalists from Africa. This wide-ranging conversation covers agro-ecology, food sovereignty and the work being done to shape policy in the areas of community rights, family farming, promotion of traditional knowledge and natural resource management
From the Driver’s Seat: Food Industry Responding to COVID-19 on the Ground
Four Canadian food business leaders shared an inside look at their on-the-ground experience during the early days of the pandemic. From the moment they realized everything had changed to what features of their business model helped them best adapt, this session gave an honest look at a value chain that bent but didn’t break.
Speakers:
- Davis Yung, Fresh Direct Produce
- Doug Alexander, Leadbetter Foods
- Ian Vickers, Diversity Food Services
- Marianne Edward, Sheldon Creek Dairy
Special Announcement
In Conversation with the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau
On Friday, February 22, the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada made a special announcement about Canada’s Food Policy.
Growing Stronger
This interactive session invited Summit attendees to share their ideas for policy recommendations to help Canada weather future disruptions like the pandemic.
The feedback was gathered and conclusions published in a report in early 2021.
Day 3 Keynote
“Newcomers bring a fresh set of eyes to their communities, and their challenges.”
Tareq Hadhad, Founder, Peace by Chocolate
Storytelling 101
Hosted by two professional communicators, this session demonstrated the power of stories through four unique experiences. Paired with some tips from the professionals, attendees left better equipped to draw attention to important food system issues.
Speakers:
- Sophie Nadeau, Edelman Canada
- Crystal Mackay, Loft32
- Cheryl Jolly-Nagel, Global Farmer Network
- Suzanne Barr, Chef
- Shane Chartrand and Jennifer Cockrall-King, Progressive Indigenous Cuisine
- Stuart Chutter, Farmer
Climate Change Mitigation in Agriculture – a Cornerstone to Green Recovery?
Agricultural production can make an important, low-cost contribution to climate change mitigation by increasing soil carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and producing renewable energy. The agriculture sector could be a cornerstone sector of a Green Recovery and in realizing commitments made under the Paris Agreement. However, we need to better understand the scale of agriculture as a potential source for climate solutions and how best to harness it. The panelists discussed the current understanding for agriculture as potential solutions provider in climate change mitigation.
“You, the attendees and speakers, are the ingredients that will make food systems thrive beyond 2020!”
Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute