Esther Yuen's Volunteer Experience with the RCFSI

My journey so far with the Food Security Institute started with a short email to Collingwood Neighborhood House about 'getting involved'. I needed to do a class project, and the CNH was local and community-focused. I had no idea what I was getting into, but the staff from CNH were kind enough to introduce me to several functions of CNH, where I finally settled with the Food Security Institute. I had heard about this program, but wasn't sure whether I could assist it, since Heidi Sinclair, the coordinator, was still away on her honeymoon during this time. Luckily enough, Heidi returned, contacted me, and invited me out to several work parties.
Over several weeks, I assisted the Seedy Saturday seed swap and seed sale events (where the seeds are really cheap!), helped to package seeds that were donated by generous local gardeners, assisted in developing the roof top garden (by mixing soils and planting seeds), attended a meeting between the community gardeners, and participated with the community kitchen.

My volunteer work with the Food Security Institute had deepened my understanding of the food production process. Throughout my university education, I had learned about food security, but had never acted on my knowledge. I knew that by growing our own foods and by supporting local farmers, we could contribute contribute to fair trade when we removed the lengthy business processes and middlemen. We would also decrease carbon emissions and save the environment by limiting the amount of distance, time and money it took to transport food. By safely controlling how we grow our foods, we can also become more healthy human beings. I had learned all of this, and had often commended the act of people "buying local", but it was only until I volunteered with the Food Security Institute that I myself became more intimately involved with the food process.

When I volunteered and actually *realized* how much time and effort it took to produce food, I no longer took food for granted anymore. I realized how removed I was from the production process. There are tons of people that work behind the scenes to grow our food, but I never think about them. Rather, I think about how much it *costs* to buy this vegetable or that fruit. If I want to be the change I want to see in the world, why not grow them my own, so I can ensure that the production process is socially and environmentally just? It takes time and effort, but it's worth it.

I strongly encourage everyone reading this to get involved with the Food Security Institute. There are several rich and diverse programs to plunge into. Join the community kitchen, help with the breakfast program, learn to maintain a garden, and participate in a fun seasonal food festival! If you're hesitant, then I still encourage you to be a responsible food consumer. Find out where your food comes from, and become an active participant in the food production and consumption process. Your small steps contribute to greater change. Need more information? Contact Heidi.

I'm proud that the Collingwood Neighborhood House, a community centre less than 10 minutes away from where I live - houses a program that has proven to be a leader in producing global change. Not only are people thinking globally about the food supply, but they are acting locally and are becoming more responsible for their own foods. Heidi, Stephanie, Maja, and the rest of the volunteers - I thank you for providing me with a wonderful experience and for sharing your expertise with me.