Wayne Roberts
Encyclopedia
Wayne Roberts is a Canadian food policy analyst and writer, widely respected for his role as the manager of the [Toronto Food Policy Council] (TFPC) from 2000-2010. The TFPC is a citizen body of 30 food activists and experts that enjoys an international reputation for its innovative approach to food security. As a leading member of the City of Toronto's Environmental Task Force, he helped develop a number of official plans for the city, including the Environmental Plan and Food Charter, adopted by Toronto City Council
in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Many ideas and projects of the TFPC are featured in Roberts' book The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food (2008). In April 2009, under Roberts' leadership, the TFPC received the Bob Hunter Environmental Achievement Award, given to a City of Toronto agency with a record of outstanding leadership, for its efforts to make food an action item on the environmental agenda. The TFPC also won honorary mention for a major award from the Community Food Security Coalition
that honors exceptional work to promote food sovereignty in October, 2009.
Since 1989, Roberts has written a weekly column for Toronto’s Now Magazine
, generally on themes that link social justice, public health and green economics.
In 2002, he received the Canadian Environment Award
for his contributions to sustainable living. Now Magazine named Roberts one of Toronto’s leading visionaries of the past 20 years. In 2008, he received the Canadian Eco-Hero Award presented by Planet in Focus
. In 2011, he received the University of Toronto's Arbor Award in recognition of his role in launching the university's first post-seconday courses on food security studies at New College.
Roberts earned a Ph.D. in social and economic history from the University of Toronto
in 1978, and has written seven books, including Get A Life! (1995), a manual on green economics, and Real Food For A Change (1999), which promotes a food system based on the four ingredients of health, joy, justice and nature.
Roberts chaired the influential and Toronto-based Coalition for a Green Economy for 15 years. He has also served on the Board of the U.S.-based Community Food Security Coalition
and Food Secure Canada. He is on the board of Green Enterprise Toronto
, an organization of local eco-businesses that's associated with the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
across North America. He has been invited to speak around the world on strategies that combine food security, community empowerment, environmental improvement, social equity and job creation.
Prior to his involvement with environmental issues, Roberts worked for two decades in the fields of community organizing, university teaching, media, labour education, industrial relations and union administration. During this period Roberts wrote a number of books, including Cracking The Canadian Formula (1992) on the Energy and Chemical Workers Union, Don’t Call Me Servant (1993) on the Ontario civil service and Ontario Public Service Employees Union
, and Giving Away a Miracle (1992) on Bob Rae
's New Democratic Party
(NDP) government in Ontario.
Before retiring in September 2010, he was a major contributor to Toronto Medical Officer of Health David McKeown's food strategy report called Cultivating Food Connections. Since retiring, he has joined boards of many organizations, including Community Food Security Coalition, FoodShare, Unitarian Service Committee and Food Secure Canada. He is also an associate of the Canadian Urban Institute.
Wayne continues his weekly column on food for NOW Magazine, and also posts regularly on municipal food policy matters at the Worldwatch-sponsored site, Nourishing the Planet. He speaks across Europe and North America on matters related to food policy councils, food charters and strategies to promote sustainable food systems.
Toronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Many ideas and projects of the TFPC are featured in Roberts' book The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food (2008). In April 2009, under Roberts' leadership, the TFPC received the Bob Hunter Environmental Achievement Award, given to a City of Toronto agency with a record of outstanding leadership, for its efforts to make food an action item on the environmental agenda. The TFPC also won honorary mention for a major award from the Community Food Security Coalition
Community Food Security Coalition
The Community Food Security Coalition is a North American non-profit made up of 325 member organizations who focus on social and economic justice, the environment, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, community development, labor, anti-poverty, and anti-hunger initiatives...
that honors exceptional work to promote food sovereignty in October, 2009.
Since 1989, Roberts has written a weekly column for Toronto’s Now Magazine
NOW (magazine)
Now is a free weekly newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was first printed on September 10, 1981 by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein. Now is an alternative weekly mixing arts and entertainment news with political coverage....
, generally on themes that link social justice, public health and green economics.
In 2002, he received the Canadian Environment Award
Canadian Environment Awards
The Canadian Environment Awards were established in 2002 through a partnership between the Government of Canada and Canadian Geographic Enterprises. The national program recognizes dedicated Canadians who act locally to help protect, preserve and restore Canada’s environment...
for his contributions to sustainable living. Now Magazine named Roberts one of Toronto’s leading visionaries of the past 20 years. In 2008, he received the Canadian Eco-Hero Award presented by Planet in Focus
Planet in Focus
Planet in Focus is an International Environmental Film and Video festival based in Toronto, Canada.- History :Planet in Focus is an incorporated not-for-profit organization founded in 1999 by Festival Director Mark Haslam. They are affiliated with the Planet in Focus Foundation, a registered...
. In 2011, he received the University of Toronto's Arbor Award in recognition of his role in launching the university's first post-seconday courses on food security studies at New College.
Roberts earned a Ph.D. in social and economic history from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1978, and has written seven books, including Get A Life! (1995), a manual on green economics, and Real Food For A Change (1999), which promotes a food system based on the four ingredients of health, joy, justice and nature.
Roberts chaired the influential and Toronto-based Coalition for a Green Economy for 15 years. He has also served on the Board of the U.S.-based Community Food Security Coalition
Community Food Security Coalition
The Community Food Security Coalition is a North American non-profit made up of 325 member organizations who focus on social and economic justice, the environment, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, community development, labor, anti-poverty, and anti-hunger initiatives...
and Food Secure Canada. He is on the board of Green Enterprise Toronto
Green Enterprise Toronto
Green Enterprise Toronto is a local-sustainable business alliance dedicated to helping independent businesses and customers to become greener and to think local first....
, an organization of local eco-businesses that's associated with the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies is a growing North American alliance of nearly 60 fully autonomous local business networks with their own names, missions, and initiatives, representing about 20,000 US and Canadian entrepreneurs. All networks share a commitment to Living Economy...
across North America. He has been invited to speak around the world on strategies that combine food security, community empowerment, environmental improvement, social equity and job creation.
Prior to his involvement with environmental issues, Roberts worked for two decades in the fields of community organizing, university teaching, media, labour education, industrial relations and union administration. During this period Roberts wrote a number of books, including Cracking The Canadian Formula (1992) on the Energy and Chemical Workers Union, Don’t Call Me Servant (1993) on the Ontario civil service and Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is a trade union that represents about 120,000 employees in the broader public service of the Province of Ontario, Canada. The current president of OPSEU is Warren "Smokey" Thomas. Prior to Thomas OPSEU was headed by Leah Casselman. Casselman was the...
, and Giving Away a Miracle (1992) on Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
's New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
(NDP) government in Ontario.
Before retiring in September 2010, he was a major contributor to Toronto Medical Officer of Health David McKeown's food strategy report called Cultivating Food Connections. Since retiring, he has joined boards of many organizations, including Community Food Security Coalition, FoodShare, Unitarian Service Committee and Food Secure Canada. He is also an associate of the Canadian Urban Institute.
Wayne continues his weekly column on food for NOW Magazine, and also posts regularly on municipal food policy matters at the Worldwatch-sponsored site, Nourishing the Planet. He speaks across Europe and North America on matters related to food policy councils, food charters and strategies to promote sustainable food systems.