National Campus Food Coalition

CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN FOOD SECURITY (CSFS)

STATUS: Active

SOCIALS

WEBSITE: https://www.torontomu.ca/foodsecurity/

UNIVERSITY: Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada

CONTACT: csfs@torontomu.ca

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

The Centre for Studies in Food Security at Toronto Metropolitan University is an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to advancing food security through research, education, community engagement, and policy dialogue.

The Centre takes a systemic approach, addressing food security through the lenses of social justice, environmental sustainability, health, and socio-cultural factors. It facilitates collaboration between universities, civil society organizations, and governments, creating spaces for dialogue and knowledge exchange.

CSFS has recently increased its focus on campus food security, including publishing its first institutional report and hosting webinars that bring together researchers from across Canada and beyond.

KEY CHALLENGES:

  • Difficulty securing consistent operational funding
  • Siloed nature of campus food initiatives
  • Limited visibility and coordination with student-led groups
  • Challenges in engaging students more actively

KEY SUCCESSES:

  • Integrate research + community action for stronger impact
  • Use data to advocate for campus food system change
  • Build interdisciplinary networks across institutions
  • Create platforms (webinars, reports) to share knowledge widely
    IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS:
    • 37 faculty members, 11 associate members, and 7 student members
    • Hosted 5 webinars (500+ total attendees) since 2025
    • Organized campus events (e.g., service berry foraging tour)
    • Published a major campus food security report (2026)
SERVICES:
  • Research and reports on food security
  • Educational programming (webinars, workshops)
  • Community engagement events
  • Knowledge-sharing platforms and resources
TIMELINE
  • 1994 – Formation Established as a leading research centre on food security
  • 2025 – Expanded Programming– Hosted webinars and in-person events, including campus food initiatives
  • March 2026 – Major Research Milestone– Published TMU Campus Food Security Watch 2024 report
  • Ongoing– Continued research, partnerships, and campus engagement
GET INVOLVED
  • 📚 Attend webinars and events-Participate in discussions on food security and policy
  • 🤝 Collaborate on research or initiative– Connect as a student, researcher, or community partner
  • 📢 Follow and share –Stay updated through social media and mailing lists
  • Engage as a student- Opportunities for involvement through research and coordination roles

PHOTOS:

NEWS ARTICLES:

📄 TMU Campus Food Security Watch 2024
https://doi.org/10.32920/31795600