Projects: SRC Activities by CSFS Members
Researcher Spotlight Series
The Researcher Spotlight Series is a new collection of short videos showcasing the exciting work done by CSFS members. Each video features a researcher sharing insights into their current projects, offering a glimpse into the diverse and impactful research on food security. This series aims to highlight the diverse and interdisciplinary approaches our community is taking to address one of today’s most pressing global challenges.
Dr. Julian Hasford, Associate Professor & Interim Director, School of Child and Youth Care and Dr. Emmanuel Kyeremeh, Assistant Professor, Geography & Environmental Studies, CSFS Members
Dr. Hasford and Dr. Kyeremeh share information about their participatory action research project that advances Black food sovereignty by addressing anti-Black racism in food aid and empowering Black-led organizations and youth to lead equitable and sustainable food systems.
Videographer: France Natera
Learn more about Dr. Hasford's and Dr. Kyeremeh’s work on GTAWeekly (external link) .
Dr. Eric Liberda, Interim Co-Director and Professor, School of Occupational and Public Health and CSFS Member
Dr. Liberda shares the connection between food security and environmental contamination in soil and food.
Videographer: France Natera
See Dr. Liberda's publications on Google Scholar (external link, opens in new window) .
Dr. Jessica Penney, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and CSFS Member
Dr. Penney shares information on her recent research project which focuses on Inuit food systems.
Videographer: France Natera
Learn more about the Yellowhead Institute (external link, opens in new window) .
Read Dr. Penney's co-authored piece on The Conversation (external link, opens in new window) .
Current research projects
Indigenous food security
Eric Liberda (Co-PI). 2025 – 2027. Traditional Dietary Exposure to Inorganic and Organic Contaminants in First Nations Hunted Wild Game and Meats in Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation. First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (FNECP), Health Canada.
Eric Liberda (N-PI). 2022 – 2025. Tajigoltieg - We are Healthy: Enhancing food security and mental wellbeing programs to manage COVID-19 pandemic stressors in a remote Mi'kmaq community. CIHR.
Eric Liberda (Co-PI). 2018 – 2025. Project Grant: Do Land-Centered Mitigation Strategies Positively Impact Indigenous Health and Wellbeing in Subarctic Canada? CIHR.
Sandra Juutinainen (PI). Truth Telling: gardens, farming and food experiences at the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant
Mohammad Khan (PI), University of Manitoba, Jessica Penney, Toronto Metropolitan University, Josée G. Lavoie, University of Manitoba, Nicholas Li, Toronto Metropolitan University, Sindu Govindapillai, Arctic Child and Youth Foundation, Vandna Sinha, University of Colorado at Boulder. March 2025 - February 2026. An Impact Assessment of Grocery Supports in Nunavut. SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant.
Nicholas Li (PI), Toronto Metropolitan University with Angela Daley, Tracey Galloway and Barry Watson. 2023-2025. Evaluating policies to improve food affordability, nutrition and food security in Canada's remote Northern communities. SSHRC Insight Development Grant.
Tracey Galloway and Kimberly Fairman (PIs) with Nicholas Li, Jimmy Oleekaltalik and John B Zoe. 2023-2025. Learning about Indigenous concepts relevant to food security intervention in northern communities. NNC Food Security Research Grant.
Immigrants and food security
Emmanuel Kyeremeh (PI), Toronto Metropolitan University, Julian Hasford (co-applicant), Toronto Metropolitan University, Evan Cleave, Toronto Metropolitan University, Sara Edge, University of Guelph, Jonathan Amoyaw, Dalhousie University. June 2024 - Sept 2026. Are immigrants distressed? Exploring African immigrants vulnerability to Food Insecurity in the Greater Toronto Area and Stakeholder Collaborations. SSHRC Insight Development Grant.
Food programs
Gary Hoyer (PI) George Brown College, Debbie Field (co-applicant and lead partner), Toronto Metropolitan University and Coalition for Healthy School Food. Collaborators: Mustafa Koc, Toronto Metropolitan University, Cecilia Rocha, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Rachel Engler-Stringer. April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027. School Food Program Analysis: A Framework for Linking Implementation Strategies to Goals. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s CCI College and Community Social Innovation Fund Grant.
Yukari Seko (PI), James Tiessen (Co-Investigator), and Sara Edge (Co-Investigator). May 2024 - November 2025. Flavours of Home: Assessing culinary diversity in Ontario's Meals on Wheels services. 2024 Strategic SRC Initiative Fund, Toronto Metropolitan University.
Sustainability in dietetics
Jessica Wegener (PI), Toronto Metropolitan University, Liesel Carlsson (Co-PI), Acadia University, Tracy Everitt (Co-PI), St. Francis Xavier University. June 2022-June 2025. Sustainability in Dietetics Education, Training and Practice in Canada. Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research, Regular Grant.
Liesel Carlsson (PI), Acadia University, Jessica Wegener (Co-PI), Toronto Metropolitan University, Tracy Everitt (Co-PI), St. Francis Xavier University. June 2022- May 2026. The social impact potential of dietitians on population-level sustainable dietary patterns. SSHRC Insight Development Grant.
