11 - Graham Hill - Food For Life

AgScape Feeding Innovation

Joining us on this episode is Graham Hill from the non-profit Food for Life. The organization’s mission is to rescue food, impact lives, and give everyone access to healthy food. They aim to cut food waste, and Graham is here to discuss his career pathway and the organization's work to rescue and distribute fresh food to neighbours in need through community partnerships.
Graham has a varied background, initially being a scuba diving instructor. He then became involved in charity before going to school to obtain a post-grad degree in Fundraising and Volunteer management. After working for various organizations involved with health, he came to work at the food bank, which evolved into his role at Food for Life.
Staying true to your values is essential to working in the non-profit sector. Sometimes it means stepping out of your comfort zone to grow. For Graham, he wanted to create an impact on the world. What problems do you want to solve? Look for a culture that fits you.
Billions of dollars worth of food go to waste every year. There is unavoidable food waste and avoidable food waste. Avoidable waste comes about with things like expiry dates, slightly misshapen, or discolored vegetables. Food for Life takes food that’s rejected and picks it up, sharing it with other charities and people. Just this last year they rescued 5 million pounds of food.
If you are considering working for a non-profit but aren’t sure in what capacity, there are many aspects to an organization, from transport to accounting, and a wide range of skills are in demand. When it comes to the effects of the pandemic, it’s clear that it had a huge impact on organizations and recipients in the sector. Accessibility is key as life evolves.
Find out more about Graham Hill and Food for Life:

https://foodforlife.ca/
Resource:
https://www.secondharvest.ca/resources/research/canada%E2%80%99s-invisible-food-network
About AgScape:
www.AgScape.ca
Improving nutrition. Reducing waste. Eliminating food insecurity. Fulfilling careers that make a difference. All are critical priorities for today’s youth.
AgScape is a registered charity that brings the fast-paced and innovative world of agriculture and food to educators and students across Ontario. Our programs expand students’ understanding of the modern food system to help them make informed decisions about they foods they eat, the choices they make, and the breadth of career opportunities that are available to them.
Our engaging, hands-on, curriculum-linked resources and programs provide credible information and multiple perspectives to help educators and students explore the many facets of food and agriculture in Canada. AgScape’s in-class and in-field programs are designed, tested, and regularly updated by certified teachers with specific backgrounds or training in agriculture and food.
Thanks to the support of funders and donors who share our passion to support food literacy and engagement with future generations, AgScape has been a trusted partner and bridge between the agri-food industry and Ontario’s education system for more than 30 years. We continue to evolve and expand our programs to ignite and nurture the curiosity of students, educators, and communities across Ontario.