Project Title
Recycling Food Waste
Organization Information
Organization Name
Mission and Vision of Organization
Mission
Create sustainable food recovery network available to people in need and save environment by reducing avoidable food waste.
Vision
Fighting hunger and combating food waste
Guiding Principles + Values
As an organization dedicated to serving the community, our charity, the Immigrant Link Centre Society, upholds a set of guiding principles and values that shape our actions and decisions:
Empathy and Compassion:
- We approach our work with empathy and compassion, recognizing the diverse challenges and needs of individuals and families within the community. We strive to understand and support them with kindness and care.
Inclusivity and Diversity:
- We celebrate and embrace the richness of diversity within our community, including cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic differences. We provide services that are accessible to all, regardless of their background or identity.
Collaboration and Partnership:
- We believe in the power of collaboration and seek partnerships with other organizations, government agencies, businesses, and community members to create a stronger support network for those in need.
Integrity and Transparency:
- We conduct our activities with the utmost integrity and transparency. We are accountable for our actions and financial stewardship, ensuring that the trust placed in us by donors and beneficiaries is well-placed. Sustainability and Innovation: We strive to make a lasting impact on the community by embracing sustainable practices and innovative approaches to address social challenges effectively.
Community Engagement:
- We actively engage with the community to understand their needs, aspirations, and ideas. Our programs and services are developed with community input, ensuring they are relevant and impactful.
Advocacy and Social Justice:
- We are committed to advocating for social justice and equality. We work towards addressing systemic issues and promoting positive change in the community.
Empowerment and Education:
- We believe in empowering individuals and families to improve their lives. Education is central to our approach, enabling people to make informed decisions and access opportunities.
Volunteerism and Civic Engagement:
- We value the contributions of volunteers and encourage civic engagement. Volunteers play a vital role in our organization, and their dedication strengthens the fabric of our community.
Resilience and Adaptability:
- We remain resilient in the face of challenges and adapt our strategies to meet evolving community needs. We embrace a learning culture that allows us to grow and improve continually.
By upholding these guiding principles and values, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving the community and making a positive difference in the lives of those we support.
Contact Information
- Primary Contact Person(s): Ali Haeri (he/him), Treasurer
- Email: bhaeri@yahoo.com
- Address: N/A
- Website: www.immigrantlink.ca
- Alternate Contact Person: Igor Bjelac (he/him), Sales Manager
- Email: igorbjelac@yahoo.com
Preferred Method of Contact
- Best method(s) to contact: Email
- Best day(s) to contact: Monday-Friday
Preferred Platform(s) for Student Meetings and Remote Collaboration
- Zoom
Project Description
Note: This project will take place online and in person
Context/Background
In 2016, Immigrant Link Centre Society (ILCS) was formed as a charity focused on food recovery and re-distribution. Since then, we have grown to host volunteers from four continents and over 15 countries with a common goal of giving back for their new life in Canada.
Today, we are focused on an important mission to prevent food waste, protect our environment, and support economic growth for new immigrants and low-income families. We are committed to saving resources, energy, and time, while improving access to nutritious foods.
ILCS receives fresh produce donations from grocery stores and other food businesses. 50% of produce is suitable for human consumption, 43% is suitable for livestock feed, and 7% goes into the municipal compost stream.
Food Systems Issue(s) Addressed in this Project
ILCS is looking for creative ideas to recycle/convert the 7% of food waste donations that would normally go into the municipal compost stream. LFS 350 students can help us research and develop creative ideas for diverting this waste from the compost system, and creating some kind of product(s) that reflects ILCS' sustainability values. Low infrastructure process(es) are desired.
Main Project Activities
- Research creative ways to recycle/convert food waste
- Brainstorm creative ways to recycle/convert food waste
- Develop a short list (4-6) of ideas
- Determine which 3 ideas are preferred by the community partner
For each of the selected 3 projects:
- Create a table that includes a title, description, and a table of relevant information such as: infrastructure that would be required, permits that would be required (if applicable), breakdown of associated costs, potential environmental constraints, other considerations that should be included (as determined by the student group). This will help ILCS assess the feasibility of implementing the idea(s).
Main Project Deliverable(s)
- Three different ways/ approaches to convert food waste instead of being thrown into the landfill
- Three tables (one for each idea) with important considerations to help ILCS assess the feasibility of each recycling idea
Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)
- They should be passionate about saving environment
- Interest in food waste
- Creativity is important and welcome!
- Budgeting skills
Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?
- N/A
Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?
- No
How much self-direction is expected from the students?
- Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Developing the activity plan and timeline: Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
- Finalizing the deliverable(s): Mostly led by students, with some community partner input
Related Community Service Opportunities for Students
- There are volunteering opportunity for students to participate. Please ask
Required Reading
Project/Partner Orientation Materials
Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.
- Immigrant Link Society website
- Love Food, Hate Waste (Metro Vancouver)
- Tetra Tech Helps with Landmark Study on Food Waste in the United States
- The Gross and Growing Problem of Food Waste Trends, Stats & Solutions to Help the Global Food Supply Chain Reduce Waste (2017)
- Paritosh, K., Kushwaha, S.K., Yadav, M., Pareek, N., Chawade, A. & Vivekanand, V. (2017). Waste to energy: An overview of sustainable approaches for food waste management and nutrient recycling. BioMed Research International https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/2370927
Additional Materials
- Zero Waste Policy (City of Vancouver)
- ReFed website
- University of Toronto Food Systems Lab
- Feeding 9 Billion project:
- Bryniarski, A. (2020). The war on food waste is a waste of time
- Dachner, N. & Tarasuk, V. (2017) Food waste and food insecurity in Canada: Diverting food waste to charitable food programs will not address food insecurity in Canada
- Guscott, N. & McKay, M. (2019). Ottawa offloads national hunger problem to food banks, charities
- Graham Riches on wasted food for surplus people. Food Charity or Food Justice? (Youtube video)
- Alexander, C. & Smaje, C. (2008). Surplus retail food redistribution: An analysis of a third sector model. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 52(11). DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.07.009
Expected Outcomes
Intended Short-term Project Outcome
- The ILCS team has a list of fresh and creative ideas for recycling food waste that could be implemented, potentially diverting inedible food donations that would otherwise end up in the municipal waste stream
Learning Outcomes
Through this project, I think students will learn about...
- Having knowledge about food waste and food recovery
- Innovative approaches to recycling food waste
By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...
- Different methods of saving environment
- Brainstorming as a group, and creative collaboration processes
By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...
- Moving from ideation to feasibility assessments
- More about the food and its important in human daily life (nutrition food and pollution side of food waste)