Food Innovation Hub

The Food Innovation Hub (FIH) was inspired by students attending the APE International Design Thinking Bootcamp. It is a collaboration between REI, the Science Discovery Zone (SDZ), Future Food Institute (FFI), University of Bologna and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The goal is to be a lightning rod for food-related innovations in Toronto and leverage the strengths of Ryerson’s Food Discovery Laboratory, School of Nutrition, Nutrition and Food Degree Program, Food Communication and Nutrition Program, Centre for Studies in Food Security, Ryerson Eats and Ryerson Urban Farm.

Global Food Mission

The FIH hosted the Global Food Mission in 2018 – a 60 day, 12 city, educational experience where 20 Master’s students in the Food Innovation Program study premier food regions and publish a book on their findings. The Toronto stop included company visits and an SDZ-NSERC research conference on the Future of Protein as well as challenges related to Agro-Innovation in Smart Cities, Food Care & Future Food Services and Scalable Sustainability & Circular Economy.

Food Innovation Program

The Business Innovation Hub (BIH) was established with the purpose of making a difference for Small and Medium Enterprises that were impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. BIH’s goal is to help these businesses by implementing risk-free innovative solutions and finding new sources of revenue to make up for lost business. We identify business needs and create a proposal recommending creative solutions. We don’t charge for our services: all we ask is for a donation to Toronto Metropolitan University to keep this initiative sustainable (you receive a tax receipt for your donation). Every $1 donated allows REI to pay $3-4 to hire Ryerson’s top business students in the Co-op Program to work in BIH, and help alleviate historically high student unemployment.