Wayne Roberts

principal Will Work for Food Policy

  • Toronto ON

engaging speaker; expert on food issues ; connects local food, jobs, health and environment

Contact

Social

Biography

I have a Ph D in economic history, but left that behind me long ago. I led the Toronto Food Policy Council, the leading city food organization in the world, for a decade (2000-2010), and serve on the board of about ten non-profits across North America, which keeps me up to speed on what's going on.

I've written eight books, including three on food. Several organizations, including the City of Toronto, NOW Magazine and Planet in Focus, have given me awards for environmental and food leadership. I have spoken widely across North America, Asia and Europe.

For details, please check out Wikipedia, Linked In or my blog.

Industry Expertise

Food and Beverages
Health and Wellness
Public Policy
Writing and Editing
Food Production
Social Media

Areas of Expertise

Green Jobs
Food Charters
Community Organizing & Development
Food Policy Councils
Local Food Production for Urban Areas
Create A Food Strategy for Your City
Local Food Production
Sustainable Food

Accomplishments

Real Food for a Change

People want answers. They know something is wrong with their food and the system that's producing it. Friends and family are getting sick and food is losing flavour. Every day a new report links food with disease. Giving to the food bank isn't reducing hunger and locally grown food is hard to find.

Real Food for a Change addresses this growing anxiety around food. It's an eater's guide to the galaxy with elegantly simple choices individuals can make in how they eat and how they shop.

The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food

Food security is a topic that is increasingly in the public's consciousness. Covering fast food, health food, institutional food, and more, this No-Nonsense Guide shows why and how “real food” has become scarce, dominated as it is in the West by agri-business and supermarkets. Wayne Roberts discusses nutrition, health, economics, and gives examples of effective food systems being developed by individuals, communities, and governments.

Steering Committee – Food Secure Canada

Food Secure Canada (FSC) is a national voice for the food security movement in Canada. It is a nonprofit organization with individual and organization members across Canada. The organization is based in three interlocking commitments to: Zero Hunger; Healthy and Safe Food; A Sustainable Food System. FSC aims to unite people and organizations working for food security nationally and globally.

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Education

University of Torornto

PhD

History

1978

I completed university entirely funded by scholarships, including the prestigious Woodrow Wilson award in 1967; after completing my PhD, I helped launch McMaster University's Labour Studies Programme. Since 1982, I have worked exclusively in non-academic organizations, but have written for major academic and professional projects in Canada, US and UK.

Event Appearances

Title

Please see my blog and attached video and audio links   www.wayneroberts.ca

Sample Talks

How to Bring a Food Charter or Food Policy Council to Your Community

builds on over ten years speaking to and working with food and civic leaders across North America and Britain about the practicalities and vision that lead to success in local food organizing

Why food strategy is the new starting point for successful cities

builds on experiences as most experienced local food policy council leader in North America.
Senior writer for city publications,The Growing Season (2001) and Cultivating Food Connections: Toward a Healthy and Sustainable Food System for Toronto (2010)

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Food Organizers

builds on over 25 years experience as community and public health organizer and on deep understanding of what makes food such a positive, welcoming and empowering set of issues.

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Style

Availability

  • Keynote
  • Author Appearance

Fees

$0 to $2500