{"id":3095,"date":"2026-08-07T11:05:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T15:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/abrdietetics\/?post_type=chapter&p=3095"},"modified":"2026-08-20T11:36:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:36:37","slug":"case-study","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/abrdietetics\/chapter\/case-study\/","title":{"raw":"4.11: Toyin's Testimonies","rendered":"4.11: Toyin’s Testimonies"},"content":{"raw":"

Case Studies #9 & #10<\/h2>\r\nAuthor:<\/strong> Toyin Kayo-Ajayi, Black farmer and Executive Director of the Kara-Kata Afrobeat Society<\/a>, and founder of the Canadian Black Farmers Association<\/a>, in British Columbia\r\n\r\n\"Logo \"Logo\r\n
\r\n\r\nKeywords:<\/strong> Systemic\/Structural Racism<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Testimony #1: Costs Rise Between Farm to Table<\/h2>\r\nOne of the only ways to access some of our cultural foods is to import them from Africa or other countries. Often, once the food arrives in Canada, much of it is spoiled and has to be discarded. Both the importing and waste drive up the price, so small Black grocery shop owners must increase the price to cover their loss. This makes access to our foods and supporting Black grocers even more challenging.\r\n\r\nThese financial barriers lead to even more issues. Many people in the Black, British-Colombian community choose to eat more Western foods because they are more affordable. This has increased our intake of fast foods and highly processed foods. I believe it has resulted in a major decline in our health and well-being.\r\n

Testimony #2: Policy Makes the Plate<\/h2>\r\nThrough my experience as a Black farmer in Canada who works to grow culturally appropriate food<\/a> for the Black community, I have experienced many systemic barriers to bringing this Kara-Kata to life.\r\n\r\nBlack-led non-profit organizations that serve the local Black community often start off with and have less access to funding compared to white farmers and growers. Grant programs and grant applications do not consider the different cultural needs of our community, and this creates more challenges for us to access the funding needed to fulfill our projects.\r\n\r\nOn one occasion, I met with a government grant program to educate them on this issue and how to make these programs and applications more accessible for our community. I expressed the needs of our community and the challenges I have faced in accessing the funding needed by a Black farmer. But they did not believe me. They asked:\r\n\r\n\"Why is your experience different from any other farmer?\" They wanted more proof.\r\n\r\nThis was a very troubling conversation for me.\r\n\r\nAfter speaking up, I did see a positive result the following year, when the same grant program came out. It seems that the Black community is just not considered in these programs, and it is up to us to educate others on our needs.\r\n
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Stop and Reflect<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/header>\r\n
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  1. Reflect on how challenges within the food system create a cascade of health barriers for Black communities (i.e. financial instability, employment, safe and clean housing, risk of disease and ability to manage health, etc.)<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Take time to imagine how things could be different if the cost of growing or importing cultural produce were more just. What shifts might you find in the farming industry? Grocery industry? Health care industry? Public health data?<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Support a local Black grower or grocery store. Visit their market or shop to see the prices for yourself. Ask them how you can better support the work they are doing<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
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