Food Systems and Health Equity in an Era of Globalization: Think, Eat and Grow Green Globally (TEG3)

Food Systems and Health Equity in an Era of Globalization: Think, Eat and Grow Green Globally (TEG3)

Project Team

Hannah Wittman, Professor, Academic Director, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability

Jerry Spiegel, Professor, Co-Director, Global Health Research Program, School of Population and Public Health

Annalee Yassi, Professor, School of Population and Public Health

Susanna Klassen, PhD Student, Liu Scholar, Food Sovereignty Research Group, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability

Chris Hergesheimer, PhD, Food Sovereignty Research Group, Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (2015-2017)

Anelyse Weiler, Graduate Research Assistant (2015-16)

Funding

Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)

 

About the Project

The TEG3 program is an interdisciplinary program of research addressing the health effects of the global food system through linked projects in Ecuador and Canada. The program’s objectives include deepen the understanding of pathways towards health and health equity within global food systems, as well as strengthening the capacity for applying meaningful solutions. The interdisciplinary nature of this project lends itself to a variety of studies, ranging from the effects of exposure to pesticides on Ecuadorian banana workers and Canadian blueberry pickers to changes in ways of living in Indigenous communities of the Andes and rural Canada.

TEG3 aims to enable people without a voice in the food system to be able to engage in decision-making processes to increase their quality of life through improving work conditions, healthier eating practices, and cultural practices preservation based on environmental resources. This program focuses on moving knowledge to action through technologies like photography, teleconferencing and web-based meetings to connect growers, consumers and decision-makers in government and non-governmental organizations together. The objective is the creation of policies and programs in the North and South that will work together in an organized way to protect health.

The TEG3 project is also currently investigating how language can influence the way we think about health equity.

External Links and Publications

CIHR Project Page

Klassen, S. & Wittman, H.. (2017). Place-based food systems: “re-valuing local” and fostering socio-ecological sustainability. Pp 46-60 in Duncan and Bailey (eds) Sustainable Food Futures: Multidisciplinary Solutions. London: Routledge.

Spiegel JM, Breilh J, Beltran E, Parra J, Solis F, Yassi A, Rojas A, Orrego E, Henry B, Bowie W, Pearce L, Gaibor J, Velasquez P, Concepcion M, Parkes M. Establishing a community of practice of researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and communities to sustainably manage environmental health risks in Ecuador. BMC International Health and Human Rights. 2011; 11(Suppl 2):S5.

Weiler, A.M., Hergesheimer, C., Brisbois, B., Wittman, H., Yassi, A., Spiegel, J.M., 2014. Food sovereignty, food security and health equity: a meta-narrative mapping exercise. Health Policy and Planning 30, 1078–1092. doi:10.1093/heapol/czu109