About the Authors (in order of appearance)
Mustafa Koc (he/him) is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University. He is among the founders of the Centre for Studies in Food Security, the Canadian Association for Food Studies, and the national coalition Food Secure Canada. His research and teaching interests encompass food studies, food security, food policy, peace, the sociology of food, agriculture, migration, and diasporic communities. He writes weekly columns for the Food Politics blog and has several publications on food studies and sustainable urban food systems, including Critical Perspectives in Food Studies and For Hunger Proof Cities: Sustainable Urban Food Systems.
Cecilia Rocha (she/her), Professor Emerita, School of Nutrition, is the former Director (2005-2010 and 2019-2021) of the Centre for Studies in Food Security at Toronto Metropolitan University. She was a member of the Toronto Food Policy Council (2005-2010), the Expert Panel on Food Security in Northern Canada (2012-2014), the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (2014-2021), and the director of the project Building Capacity in Food Security in Brazil (2004-2010). Cecilia is the founder and co-coordinator of the Betinho Project, and author of scholarly papers and reports on food policy in Brazil.
Sara Edge (she/her) is the Arrell Chair in Food, Policy & Society at the Arrell Food Institute and an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph. She works with community organizations, governments, and other partners to advance more equitable, resilient food systems and food access, with particular focus on understanding the lived experiences of racialized peoples, immigrants and newcomers. Her research highlights Canada’s often-overlooked community food sector, including food hubs, innovative food access models, and local collaborations that strengthen food security. As a geographer, she also explores how food justice challenges and opportunities vary across rural, suburban, and urban communities.
Jenelle Regnier-Davies (she/her) is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Guelph. She has led projects that connect research, praxis, and public discourse to advance just and inclusive communities. Beyond Jenelle’s academic profile, she has over 15 years of experience working with communities through facilitating workshops, focus groups, community-focused food safety training and hands-on food literacy programming. Today, her work advances community-engaged research and applied policy analysis through partnerships with local governments and community organizations.
Yukari Seko (she/her) is an Associate Professor at the School of Professional Communication and Director of the Centre for Studies in Food Security, Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research program takes a participatory, arts-informed approach to explore communication processes related to diasporic foodways, family food practices, and aging. Her ongoing research interrogates how Canadians of Asian heritage navigate through institutionalized food environments in Canada, including schools and long-term care facilities.
Jennifer Brady (she/her) is a Registered Dietitian and Associate Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies and the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University in Mtaban, Mi’kmaki (Wolfville, Nova Scotia). Her teaching and research explore the intersections of food, health, and social justice with an emphasis on health profession(al)s’ roles in socially just practice and advocacy, the history of home economics and dietetics, and cultural food security.
Rod MacRae (he/him) is a food policy analyst and associate Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Toronto. His policy work focused on the transition to a sustainable, health-promoting and equitable food system for Canada. Much of his research can be found at foodpolicyforcanada.info.yorku.ca
Elaine Power (she/her) is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Studies at Queen’s University, and a founding member of the Canadian Association for Food Studies. She is a member of the Hungry Stories team, researching the use of arts-based methods to de-normalize charity as an appropriate response to food insecurity and to shift public discourse toward structural solutions grounded in social justice.
Amanda White (she/her) is an artist-researcher and Canada Research Chair in Sustainability, Ecological Justice, and Climate Action in Creative Practices at Emily Carr University. Amanda is a core member of the Creative Food Research Collaboratory and the Hungry Stories research team. Her critically acclaimed book with Dian Day, Shy Cat and the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge, is a full-length graphic novel for middle-grade readers about food security. (Second Story Press, 2026).
Jennifer Black (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Food, Nutrition and Health in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, where she leads the Public Health and Urban Nutrition research team. She is a member of the Hungry Stories team, and contributes to teaching and research aimed at understanding what it means to be well nourished and how academic work, health professional practice and public policy can foster health, sustainability and social justice.
Dian Day (she/her) is a writer and public scholar committed to translating social justice research into readable and engaging books for young people. She is a member of the Hungry Stories team and to date has written two books about food insecurity: Shy Cat and the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge, with artist Amanda White, a full-length graphic novel for middle grade readers (Second Story Press, 2026); and a picture book, Mama’s Stories, with artist Ann Siddall (Second Story Press, forthcoming fall 2027). She is at work on a young adult novel, Air Holes, which also explores food insecurity.
Luciene Burlandy (she/her) holds a PhD in Sciences/Public Health and is a Professor in the Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences and in the Master’s/Doctoral Program in Social Policy at Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Brazil. Luciene is a researcher in public health/nutrition, public policies, and food systems and coordinates the Reference Centre for Food and Nutrition Sovereignty and Security/UFF. She is a member of the National Council for Food and Nutrition Security (CONSEA, 2003 – 2013), the State Council for Food and Nutrition Security of Rio de Janeiro (CONSEA-RJ, since 2013), the Brazilian Association of Public Health (since 2008), and the Brazilian Research Network on Food and Nutrition Sovereignty and Security.
Roseane Moreira Sampaio Barbosa (she/her) holds a PhD in Nutrition from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Roseane is an Associate Professor in Nutrition and the Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences at Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Brazil. Her teaching, research and practice focus on Food and Nutrition Security in the school context and the National School Food Program (PNAE). She is a member of the Group for Teaching, Extension, and Research on School Food and Health (GEPASE-UFF) and the UFF Collaborating Centre on School Food and Nutrition (CECANE).
Patricia Camacho Dias (she/her) has a PhD in Social Policy and is an Associate Professor in Social Nutrition at the Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Brazil. She is a member of the Reference Centre for Food and Nutrition Sovereignty and Security/UFF, the Group for Teaching, Extension, and Research on School Food and Health (GEPASE-UFF) and coordinates the UFF Collaborating Centre on School Food and Nutrition (CECANE). She works at the intersection of teaching, research, and extension, with experience in public policy analysis and promoting the Human Right to Adequate and Healthy Food and sustainable food systems.
Ryan Antonio (he/him) holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition and graduated from the Food Security Certificate program, both at Toronto Metropolitan University. He also holds a Certificate in the Fitness Fundamentals Leadership program from Sheridan College. Born to a family of farmers on both sides, an interest in all things food (and food security) naturally developed. To blend these interests with a reconnection to his Filipino roots, he recently joined Migrante Ontario, an alliance of organizations working for the rights and welfare of migrants in Ontario through initiatives such as organizing, education, training, and advocacy.
Louise Huneault (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a professionally trained chef, and graduated from the Food Security Certificate program at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has a special interest in food insecurity among older adults in Canada, particularly senior women. She serves on the Boards of the Brockville and Area Food Bank and Arts Hub Brockville, where she supports the development of community kitchen initiatives.
Andrea Moraes (she/her) holds a PhD in Rural Sociology and has taught the TMU Certificate in Food Security since 2007. She is a member and former co-coordinator of the Betinho Project Seminar Series (2019–2024) at the Centre for Studies in Food Security at TMU. She recently co-edited the book Agency for Food Security in Brazil: Social Mobilization, Participation and Public Policy through TMU Pressbooks. Her work and teaching reflect a commitment to equity in food security.
Gertrude Omoro (she/her) is a Public Health Specialist passionate about advancing health equity through multi-sectoral programs focused on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH), nutrition, and resilient health systems across the Global South. She holds a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Global Health from the University of Alberta. Guided by the principle that “local is global,” Gertrude actively contributes to community initiatives in Toronto and across Canada. In addition to her professional work, she serves as a Board Member of the PEGASUS Institute, a Canadian NGO committed to promoting peace, environmental sustainability, and healthy communities through integrated and collaborative approaches.
Sandra Juutilainen (she/her) is a member of Oneida Nation of Thames (Turtle Clan) and Finnish-Canadian. She is a Registered Dietitian and Associate Professor – Indigenous Health and Nutrition in the School of Nutrition at Toronto Metropolitan University. She also holds an adjunct appointment in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Her research interests include: Indigenous health and wellness; Indigenous food sovereignty and foodways; and community-driven, collaborative research projects informed by Indigenous methodologies.
Deyowidron’t (Teri) Morrow (she/her) RD, MA, is a Haudenosaunee scholar and Registered Dietitian who lives and works in Six Nations of the Grand River. Her work brings together Haudenosaunee knowledge, Indigenous food sovereignty, nutrition, health and community-based research, with particular attention to relationships among food, land, language, culture, governance and well-being. She is a PhD student at the University of Toronto. Her scholarship and practice are grounded in Haudenosaunee community relationships, cultural knowledge and responsibilities to future generations.
Jennifer Yessis (she/her) PhD, CE is of Belarusian and British ancestry and recognizes that her privilege, as a settler in what is now Canada, comes from a system of colonialism that resulted in the loss of land, culture, family and way of life of Indigenous peoples. Jennifer has had the privilege of working closely with Indigenous people in community-based participatory research in the last 15 years. Jennifer also works as an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Waterloo, which is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River.
Rhona M. Hanning (she/her), PhD, FDC, FCNS, is of Scottish and British ancestry and recognizes that her privilege, as a settler in what is now called Canada, stems from the colonial system that was responsible for the genocide of Indigenous peoples. She has had the privilege to learn from Indigenous peoples over the past three decades; she has worked in community-based participatory research and is actively engaged in unlearning and building decolonizing approaches into her research and teaching. The University of Waterloo campus, where she works, occupies the ancestral lands of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee Peoples and sits on the Haldimand Tract, which is land extending 10 km on either side of the Grand River, which was granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River, though less than 5% remains part of their current territory. As a Distinguished Professor Emerita in food and nutrition, she recognizes that this pattern of displacement from land, replicated across Canada, disrupts the traditional food systems that nurture and sustain Indigenous Peoples.
Bonnie Freeman (she/her) is Algonquin/Mohawk (Bear Clan) and a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River. She is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Indigenous Studies at McMaster University. Her work and research focus on Indigenous methodological perspectives of journeying (horseback, foot, and canoeing) with a key goal of understanding how Indigenous knowledge and connection to land and water contribute to positive health and well-being, as well as reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Bonnie is also involved with Indigenous community food sovereignty projects.
Sangita Sharma (she/her) is a Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition student at Western University. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition and Food and a Certificate in Food Security from Toronto Metropolitan University and has completed a Diploma in Dietetic Education and Practical Training at Western University. Her research experience includes qualitative analysis and knowledge synthesis related to food security and food sovereignty at Six Nations of the Grand River. Her interests include food policy, public health nutrition, and community-engaged research.
Mayet Zegeye (she/her) holds a Master’s degree in Regional & Local Development Studies from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, and a Master’s degree in Applied Environmental Science and Management from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada. She has extensive experience working with communities on local development and community health initiatives in various roles. She is currently a Research Assistant and Research Project Manager for food security and food-as-medicine projects led by researchers in TMU’s Department of Geography & Environmental Studies and the School of Child & Youth Care. In addition, she serves as a Research Associate at TAIBU Community Health Centre in Toronto.
Anan Xola Lololi (he/him) is the Executive Director of the Black Food Sovereignty Alliance. He is a Food Policy Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation (“SPPDI”) at the Faculty of Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). He founded and served as Executive Director of AfriCan FoodBasket (1995-2021). Anan holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from York University, a diploma in business administration from Centennial College, and an Honorary Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) from George Brown College’s Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Anan is also a Senior Advisor for the Atlanta Black Food Sovereignty Collective and a Co-Chair of the Global Black Food Sovereignty Collective. He was a member of the City of Toronto Food Policy Council, a Board member of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, and a former food policy consultant of the Detroit Black Food Sovereignty Network.
Queen Zawditu Selassie (she/her) is the Communications Coordinator at the Black Food Sovereignty Alliance and the Strategic Communications & Engagement Lead at Afri-Can FoodBasket. She is a graduate of Centennial College, where she earned a diploma in Business Administration – Marketing. She contributes to communications planning and outreach across both organizations.
Winston Husbands is an Adjunct Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and a former Senior Scientist at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network. Through his research and related activities, he explores (a) how systemic forces and institutional practices undermine the health of Black communities in Canada, and (b) approaches to research, practice, and advocacy that prioritize the interests of diverse Black communities. He is a co-chair of the Interim Committee on HIV among Black Communities in Canada, which promotes Black emancipation as a lens for thinking constructively about health and wellbeing.
June Komisar (she/her) is a Professor in the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has an MArch from Yale University and a Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Michigan. She was a registered architect in Massachusetts, a member of the Toronto Food Policy Council, and is currently an Associate Director of the Centre for Studies in Food Security. Her research interests include Brazilian architecture, adaptive reuse, and socially responsible design. She is a co-author of the book Carrot City with Mark Gorgolewski and Joe Nasr, and a co-curator of the travelling exhibit Carrot City: Designing for Urban Agriculture.
Joe Nasr (he/him) is an independent scholar, lecturer and consultant, and a member of the Centre for Studies in Food Security at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has been exploring urban agriculture and food security issues for over three decades, including teaching courses on these subjects since 2007. He co-coordinates Toronto Urban Growers, the city’s urban agriculture network. He co-wrote or co-edited dozens of articles and six books, including the seminal Urban Agriculture and Urban Agriculture and Forced Displacement (forthcoming). He co-edits the Springer Urban Agriculture Book Series. He co-curated the travelling exhibit, book and site Carrot City: Designing for Urban Agriculture.
