Increased COVID-19 variant severity not enough evidence for B.C. authorities

News Source: Vancouver Sun, The Province

February 24, 2021

“Epidemiologists prefer studies of tens of thousands of cases and months of observation.” – Dr. Leonard Foster

Dr. Leonard Foster, CSFS Associate and head of UBC’s department of biochemistry and molecular biology, says that while there hasn’t been enough time to build strong data on variants, it can still be useful to be aware of the hints contained in early research.

Check out the original article at Vancouver Sun or The Province.

Delta seeing decline in soil organic matter

News Source: Delta Optimist

February 21, 2021

“Critical to soil health, the organic matter is on the decline in Delta and throughout the Fraser Valley.” – Dr. Sean Smukler

Delta Optimist reported on a study which shows that organic matter is on the decline in Delta and throughout the Fraser Valley. Organic matter is made up of decomposed plant and animal tissues, and is very important for soil aeration and water holding capacity. Dr. Siddhartho Paul conducted this study while he was a graduate student in CSFS Associate Dr. Sean Smukler’s lab (the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab at UBC).

Check out the original article here.

(Portuguese) International Cooperation Project – Projeto De Cooperação Internacional

News Source: Cepagro

January 22, 2021

“A aceleração da crise climática global ameaça cada vez mais a segurança alimentar e nutricional das populações do campo e da cidade” (Translation: The acceleration of the global climate crisis is increasingly threatening the food and nutritional security of rural and urban populations) – Cepagro

Please see the left sidebar in the article for translation into English.





The “Agroecology in Latin America: building paths” project had been created through international collaboration between Cepagro and UBC via Dr. Hannah Wittman, CSFS Associate and professor at the IRES (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability). The project’s data collection is conducted by LiteFarm, a digital agricultural management tool developed by UBC’s scientists, designers, and students.

Check out the original article here.

B.C. Government Invests in Food Supply Chain

News Source: National Observer

February 3, 2021

“Free trade deals like NAFTA have consistently made it more difficult for smaller, regional food processing facilities to compete.” – Dr. Hannah Wittman

Dr. Hannah Wittman, CSFS Associate and professor at the IRES (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability) & LFS, recently interviewed in National Observer about food shortages during COVID-19. The pandemic has exposed shortcomings in our current food processing and distribution model. To increase the resilience of local processing operations, B.C. food and beverage manufacturers are soon to receive funding from the provincial government.

Check out the original article here.

Why one PhD student wants everyone to learn about food systems, equity and justice

News Source: National Observer, The Star

January 6, 2021

“When we think of the food bank, we’re not necessarily thinking that people who use the food bank should have a say in the decisions or the kinds of services offered or the kinds of food provided. The dominant discourse is that people experiencing poverty should just be grateful and thankful. I think this reproduces a system that treats people like objects.” – Colin Dring

National Observer and The Star spoke with Colin Dring (a UBC PhD candidate in agricultural planning) about food justice and accessibility. He helped launch an educational resource called Just Food, which was created with former Work-Learn students Meryn Corkery and Joyce Liao. Colin discusses the lack of diversity in B.C.’s food discourse, and how we can work towards a more equitable food system.

Check out the original article at The Star or National Observer.