Deadline: 13-Jan-23
Graduated students are now being invited for the Loblaw Net-Zero Food Systems Challenge to investigate strategic levers that will drive Canadian adoption and demand for net-zero agricultural products along the value chain, from farmers to consumers.
The University of Guelph and Loblaw Companies Limited have partnered to challenge tomorrow’s food leaders and develop solutions for a net-zero food system in Canada, through a new 10-month graduate student experiential learning program at the university.
From February 2023 to November 2023, research pieces and policy relevant plans will be developed by teams of students. The program will kick-off with a five day in-person workshop from February 20 to 24, 2023 at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. Following the workshop, students will work together virtually until October 2023 to prepare plans that can be implemented by the retail sector. As part of the program, students will have access to research and industry experts for their advice and mentorship. This is a unique opportunity for graduate students to have a tangible impact on Canada’s food system and a carbon neutral future while broadening their resume and professional network.
Themes
The 10-month program is being run by Arrell Food Institute and the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph. Loblaw will provide financial support and the opportunity of real-world sector insight. Graduate students selected to participate in this program will be exploring two themes:
- How food retailers can work with others in the value chain to create incentives that encourage farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices that absorb greenhouse gases. This includes exploring how these practices may point the way to creating soil carbon measurement, verification and reporting tools that form the basis of carbon markets.
- How food retailers can encourage consumer awareness and purchase behaviors of climate-responsible products, farmed with net-zero practices.
Benefits
- A unique opportunity to have a tangible impact on Canada’s food system and a carbon neutral future while broadening your resume and professional network
- Receive training and coaching from industry experts and researchers
- Gain experience developing research pieces and creating policy relevant plans
- Develop peer networks and work with students in other fields and institutions
- Participants will receive a $2000 stipend at the end of the work term
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must currently be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a Canadian university with an interest in sustainable food systems
- Selected participants must be available to attend the kick-off workshop at the University of Guelph, in Guelph Ontario from February 20 to 24, 2023. Selected participants will have travel and accommodation expenses covered to attend the kick-off workshop at the University of Guelph in February 2023
- Participants must be able to commit to work an average of 5 hours/week on their project from February to November 2023
For more information, visit University of Guelph.