Lakehead University's Food Security Research Network has received a national award.
The institute received the 2012 Community Service-Learning Award from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, an organization committed to building a more innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient society.
The university network is a collective of students, community members and university faculty that is committed to creating sustainable food systems in northwestern Ontario. Since 2004, students have gotten involved in various local food marketing, production and distribution initiatives.
Director Connie Nelson recently accepted the award in Saskatoon.
“The courses engage students in projects such as marketing studies for a local chicken abattoir and chickpea products, supportive collective kitchens and examining food systems policy issues, promoting boreal food sources, assisting First Nations in food self-sufficiency, and developing social enterprise initiatives like a local blueberry cooperative,” she said.
The $7,500 prize money is earmarked for funding some social enterprise initiatives, including a mobile poultry abattoir and storage facilities for extended access to local foods and processing facilities.
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