2023 – 2028
Arrell Food Institute’s Strategic Plan
Over the past five years, Arrell Food Institute has created a foundation for research, thought leadership, learning and cross-sector dialogue and partnerships. This plan builds on the impacts of this work and sets a path forward to achieve even more.
Part One
Vision, Goals and Values
The future of food is complex. The number of hungry people is at record heights, food prices are higher than ever, and some ways of producing and processing food contribute to climate change, environmental damage, and foodborne illness. At the same time, the potential of innovation, governance, and collaboration to solve these problems has never been greater.
The future of food intersects with the foundations of everyday life – health, climate change, political stability, social justice, and economics. We are at a pivotal moment in the history of food. It is imperative that we learn the lessons from the global pandemic about the fragility of our food systems, so that society can come out of the current situation stronger. To do so, a shared vision and commitment to a sustainable food strategy are required.
Reimagining the future of food
A sustainable, reliable, and just food system.
Informing resilient and sustainable global food systems based on a rigorous and comprehensive understanding of the latest evidence.
Our Unique Niche
Arrell Food Institute is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of a continually evolving global discussion.
We will continue to generate rigorous research-based knowledge, train the next generation of global leaders with a focus on the Arrell Scholars and facilitate multi-disciplinary opportunities, in direct alignment with its academic agenda.
Our Values
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Agile
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Bold
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Collaborative
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Evidence-based
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Inclusive
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Informed
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Interdisciplinary
Our Role
Through consultations with our stakeholders, we heard that Arrell Food Institute means many things to many people. In working with our partners, we commit to trying to live up to their expectations.
Providing insights and recommendations based on rigorous knowledge and continuing to bring contributors together to inform the future of food.
Bringing together contributors from across the continuum of food and food production for important, challenging conversations.
Training the next generation with the unique skills and knowledge to be innovative leaders in the future of food and providing practical learning opportunities.
Generating new, rigorous knowledge to inform progress and transformation in the food and agri-food sector.
Creating opportunities for multi-disciplinary interactions.
Sharing rigorous understanding to inform policy and influence change, and identifying new trends and challenges.
Sharing information and findings in accessible formats to mobilize knowledge.
Part Two
Strategic Approaches
At this moment of change, we need innovative, creative, internationally credible, data-driven thinking to bring us into the future – one that doesn’t look this bleak. Arrell Food Institute is committed to three strategic approaches as a comprehensive way to tackle this complex and global problem. When all these approaches come together, we are closer to having multi-faceted solutions to inform sustainable food systems that can be realized locally, nationally and around the world.
AFI will be at the global forefront of generating new knowledge and a rigorous understanding of sustainable food systems locally, nationally and internationally. Food is essential to life, but a lot of food growth and production are not sustainable or environmentally friendly. New approaches are needed to strengthen local food supply chains, inform safe food production practices and minimize food disruptions by informing agri-food policy. Consideration also needs to be given to the role of ag-tech in food innovation and addressing critical issues such food sovereignty, food security, food safety and food waste. To create an informed future of food production, we need innovative approaches to (but not limited to) farming, fisheries and technological advances, soilless agriculture, improved mass-produced high quality food practices and carbon-optimizing agriculture.
AFI will continue to convene important discussions and debates to tackle wicked and complex food system issues. Based on principles of inclusivity, AFI will embrace many perspectives to inform the discourse. With a commitment to considering the impact of conflicts, climate change, contagious diseases and contaminants, AFI will be known for its ability to disseminate the latest research and knowledge and mobilize into meaningful change locally, nationally and around the world. AFI will proactively share evidence to inform policy, industry and community approaches that support a sustainable, safe and reliable future of food.
AFI will continue to support and train the next generation of leaders in food by offering a premier student experience through the Arrell Food Scholarships. AFI embraces the value of multi-disciplinary collaboration and meaningful partnerships with industry, government and NGOs to offer a consummate learning experience. With real-world experience, Arrell Scholars and graduates will have the depth of knowledge, practical experience and mindset to be at the forefront of leading and sustaining change across the food system and beyond
Part Three
Topics Areas and Projects
Our strategic approaches aim to work across the food system – from soil to fork – covering the following high impact topic areas:
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Food and Community
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Food and Producers
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Food and Businesses
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Food and Consumers
Signature Projects
By focusing on one signature project in each of these areas, each of which is led by one of the Arrell
Chairs, AFI will significantly advance the understanding of sustainable food systems to achieve its
vision and collective goal.
Our Shared Vision at the centre of our work
LEGEND
PART FOUR
Strategy to Action
AFI will map out how to operationalize and measure the impacts of the strategic plan and communicate and tell the impact story of the work of AFI. We will undertake specific actions for each of the strategic approaches.