Environmental Law: The WFF Ontario Chapter Launch Week
- LSOU Publications
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Written By: Jissana Ahad
FAO & WFF Liaison
Ontario Food Insecurity
Food insecurity in Ontario refers to the lack of sufficient, nutritious food due to financial and social barriers rather than food shortages. It reflects deep inequalities shaped by income gaps, rising costs, and barriers to local food access. Farmers face declining interest from younger generations, leading to an aging workforce and increasing pressure as climate change continues to threaten local production.
Strengthening food literacy, supporting Indigenous knowledge, and reconnecting individuals to the sources of their food are essential to building a more sustainable food system, core to the World Food Forum (WFF) Ontario Chapter’s mission.
Environmental Law Connection
Balancing human needs with ecological integrity lies at the heart of environmental law. It establishes the legal pathways through which sustainable farming, biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation are governed. In Ontario, environmental frameworks shape how land is managed, how resources are used, how food is produced, and how communities are supported. For instance, Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act (EPA), amended in 2025, establishes the safeguarding of natural resources that sustain the agricultural sector.
Such commitment highlights the need for organizations that reinforce these legal principles within collaborative and humanitarian initiatives.
WFF & FAO
The WFF is a youth-led global platform hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). It aims to transform agrifood systems by empowering youth and collaborating with decision-makers to make food systems equitable. With 22 National Youth Chapters across 5 regions, the WFF helps drive progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The FAO works to end hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by supporting governments through policy and technical expertise.
As part of this year’s WFF Flagship Event, the FAO will host the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, advancing SDGs 1, 2, and 10 via global partnerships.
The FAO and WFF share a unified mission to strengthen agrifood systems that are productive, inclusive, and sustainable for future generations.
WFF Launch
The WFF Ontario Chapter team is composed of University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) students and alumni, Jissana Ahad, Ely Ngo, Kowmitha Satkunarajan, Daniel Magnone, Prisha Dookie, Amber McNeil, Henry Khamonde, and Joy Choi. The Ontario Chapter held its official launch at Food Hall TO on August 12, 2025, marking WFF’s first North American chapter. The hybrid event featured speakers such as Kazuki Kitaoka (FAO Youth & Women Director) Suman Roy (Feed Scarborough & Zero Hunger Project CEO), Andrea Hazell (Scarborough-Guildwood MPP) and Amanda Mrad (UN FAO Intern).
All speakers emphasized youth leadership, inclusivity, and advancement in agri-food systems. The reception also introduced the educational mobile game “Infinity Kitchen,” designed to engage youth in sustainable food learning. The event strengthened ties among students, policymakers, and organizations, establishing a foundation for youth-led action across Ontario’s food sector.
WFF Post-Launch
Following the launch reception, the WFF Ontario team organized a series of hands-on events that connected youth to all aspects of the food process from August 13–15, 2025.
1. On August 13, participants visited The New Farm Centre in Creemore to learn about regenerative farming, soil health, and Indigenous cultivation methods.
2. On August 14, a panel discussion and campus farm tour at UTSC, in collaboration with the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) Food Centre, encouraged dialogue on food integrity and student-led sustainability.
3. The week concluded on August 15 with a visit to the Ontario Food Terminal in Etobicoke, offering insights into large-scale food distribution.
Together, these experiences deepened youth understanding of how sustainable practices, education, and innovation shape Ontario’s agri-food future.
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