LAUREN BAKER
Sustainable Food Systems
Lauren Baker, PhD, has over 20 years of experience working on food systems issues. Her experience ranges from researching agricultural biodiversity in Mexico to negotiating and developing municipal food policy and programs. Lauren has consulted on farm to fork initiatives and food systems policy development across Canada and globally. Lauren’s expertise lies in sustainable food systems, food systems policy, food security, city-region food policy and planning. Lauren has worked with diverse clients to develop strategic plans, feasibility studies, undertake research, program planning and evaluation, and advise on policy development.
Current Work, Teaching and Projects
City of London and Evergreen
Working with Evergreen, Lauren supported the development of the City of London’s Urban Agriculture Strategy for the London Planning and Development Department. The strategy engaged the public to develop urban agriculture priorities that supported the implementation of London’s Official Plan.
Black Creek Community Farm
Lauren has been volunteering with the Black Creek Community Farm since it started in 2013, first as Chair of the Everdale board from 2014-2017, and then as a Steering Committee member.
The Legacies Project
Lauren is an advisor to the Legacies project, an intergenerational and intercultural exchange of women transforming this food system. The project has created a space for sharing and filming stories of alternatives to corporate controlled industrial production that sees food as a commodity to be bought and sold, rather than as sacred medicine which daily gives us life and builds community.
University of Toronto, New College, Theory and Praxis in Food Security
Lauren teaches the course “Theory and Praxis in Food Security” at the University of Toronto providing an interdisciplinary introduction to food issues, using Toronto as a case study. Direct student engagement with community organizations and enterprises through an eight-week service learning placement enables students to reflect on issues of social justice and global equity through “working with food.”
Ryerson University, Chang School, Certificate in Food Security
In collaboration with the Centre for Studies in Food Security and the School of Nutrition, Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education offers a cutting-edge program designed to meet the needs of today’s food security professionals. Lauren teaches two courses in the certificate program: Urban Food Security and Urban Agriculture Policy Making.
Contact Lauren
Lauren Baker, PhD
Email: lauren[at]laurenbaker.ca
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
