Building a Circular Food Future
March 29, 2022
A circular food economy, where waste is drastically decreased
The future’s food system will rely on a circular economy – one that connects urban centers to local farms, reduces waste, and creates a robust supply of local nutritious food for surrounding communities.
The transformation is already happening. Industry leaders are building the digital and physical infrastructure these new systems require, developing new business plans that make them profitable, and training the future workforce who will power them.
CityAge brought together the tech developers, policymakers, major corporations, educational institutions, investors, and city planners who are bringing us closer to a circular food future.
In Collaboration With


SPEAKERS & GUESTS

Barbara Swarrtzentruber
Executive Director, Smart Cities Office City of Guelph

Joe Lake
CEO Canadian Food Innovation Network

Cher Mereweather
CEO Anthesis Provision

Seth Olson
Strategic Partnerships Manager Resonance

Tammara Soma
Assistant Professor Simon Fraser University

David Messer
Executive Director, Smart Cities Office, City of Guelph

Jackie Suggit
Director of Capital, Innovation & Engagement ReFED

Stuart Lilley
CEO Refeed Farm

Maia Tekle
Co-Founder Dispatch Goods

Chad Kolesnik
Co-Founder & CEO Sunspring Farms

Kate Parizea
Associate Professor University of Guelph
PROGRAM
Anchor Welcome & Introduction
Opening Presentation by: Seth Olson, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Resonance
Why do we need to shift to a circular food economy? What will it look like?
Presentation by: Barbara Swartzentruber, Executive Director, Smart Cities Office, City of Guelph & David Messer, Manager, COIL, Smart Cities Office, City of Guelph
A look at how Guelph, ON is shifting to a circular food economy. What can other regions learn?
Panel 1: Circular Models to Reduce Waste
How can communities and organizations most effectively reduce food waste and loss, using circular models? Who needs to be involved to make it happen? What are some actionable strategies for getting started?
- Tammara Soma, Assistant Professor, Simon Fraser University
- Stuart Lilley, CEO, Refeed Farms
- Jackie Suggit, Director of Capital, Innovation & Engagement, ReFED
- Panel Host: Kate Parizea, Associate Professor, University of Guelph
Panel 2: Circular Jobs and Collaborations
Moving to a circular food system has ripple effects. What new jobs will a circular food economy bring? What kinds of collaborations will be made possible? How are cities thinking about and preparing for these transformations?
- Cher Mereweather, CEO, Anthesis Provision
- Maia Tekle, Co-Founder, Dispatch Goods
- Chad Kolesnik, Co-Founder & CEO, Sunspring Farms
- Panel Host: Joe Lake, CEO, Canadian Food Innovation Network