Arrell Food Institute Director Dr. Evan Fraser joined CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks for its 50th anniversary episode to share his insights on how innovation can help feed a growing global population while addressing the environmental challenges tied to food production.

The landmark episode, which explored the “future of science,” brought together leading thinkers for a prestigious audience to discuss how science and technology will shape the decades ahead. During the interview, Fraser reflected on how experts have been concerned about global food security for more than two centuries and how innovation has consistently expanded our capacity to feed the world.

“The mistake they made is to ignore the fact that we can innovate, that food production has stayed growing faster than population growth has. And there is more food on the planet per person than at any point in human history,” he said.

That growth, he noted, is driven by advancements in technology, from better seeds and fertilizers to improved irrigation, resulting in 3,000 calories of food available per person each day. However, not all those calories come from the fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet.

Fraser pointed to the urgent need for sustainable solutions, as food production is responsible for about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and a significant share of freshwater use. Emerging technologies, from precision agriculture and fertilizer drones to vertical farming and precision fermentation, offer promising pathways to a more sustainable and resilient food system.

The discussion aligns closely with Fraser’s leadership of Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C), a national training platform designed to close Canada’s productivity gap through climate-smart agri-food innovation and entrepreneurship. Through initiatives like SF4C, the Arrell Food Institute is helping shape the future Fraser described—one where technological progress supports both people and the planet.

The full Quirks & Quarks anniversary episode airs Saturday, October 11 at noon ET. A video of Dr. Fraser’s interview is available: CBC Radio Quirks & Quarks: 50th Anniversary Episode

Read the U of G Article here: Global Food Expert to Appear on ‘Quirks and Quarks’ 50th Anniversary Episode