The BC Food Protection Association would like to present:
2023 Hybrid Spring Speaker's Evening
The BC Food Protection Association is thrilled to again host another hybrid in-person and virtual seminar event for our members and general public! For those who wish to participate virtually, we are broadcasting (live streaming) our seminar through Zoom.
Food Sustainability and Novel Food Production: Safety Considerations
Speakers:
Keith Warriner, Professor, Department of Food Science, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph
&
Alycia van der Gracht, Founder of QuantoTech
&
Theodora Lamb & Janice Martin, Quest Food Exchange
Date: June 6, 2023
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 pm PT
In-person Location: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC)
Virtual Option: via Zoom - registrants will be sent a Zoom link 1-2 days before the actual event
Early bird deadline is May 30th! Register today to take advantage of our early bird rate!
If you have food allergies or preferences, please let us know under the comment section when you register online.
SPONSORED BY
Human Pathogen Risk Management in Controlled Environmental Agriculture Facilities
Keith Warriner, Professor, Department of Food Science, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph
Bio: Professor Keith Warriner obtained his BSc (Hons) in Food Science at the University of Nottingham and PhD in Microbial Physiology at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He went onto positions within the Institute of Food Research, University of Manchester and University of Nottingham before becoming part of the faculty of the Department of Food Science, University of Guelph in 2002. His research team is focused on enhancing food safety through undertaking risk assessment, along with developing diagnostics and intervention controls. Professor Warriner teaches food microbiology, industrial microbiology and food safety management along with advising undergraduate and graduate students. He is frequently contacted by media to comment on food safety matters and undertakes outreach activities to government & industry. He is currently the Director of HQP scholarship program of the OMAFRA Alliance, Chair of the biosafety committee and FSQA course development committee. He was awarded the President award of the OFPA, IAFP Food Safety Innovation award, University of Guelph innovation of the year and IAFP Ewan Todd Award for innovations in pathogen control. He is also part of the expert group of Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment.
Talk Summary: Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) has a long history although is currently expanding given the advancement of growing systems along with the need to diversify supply. From previous research it was identified human pathogens such as
Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and toxigenic
Escherichia coli can become established on plants if introduced onto the seeds or into the growth substrate (soil or hydroponics). Therefore, like sprout production there is a need to ensure that the inputs into CEA are pathogen-free. In the following presentation an overview of previous research on human pathogen interactions with growing plants within CEA. Potential risk management strategies based on interventions to control pathogens on CEA inputs and outputs will be described. A focus will be placed over recent studies performed on applying gas phase-hydroxyl radical for seed, pre-harvest and post-harvest decontamination of microgreens/baby leaf. In addition to decontamination, the hydroxyl-radical process has also been demonstrated to extend shelf-life of microgreens through a process thought to be through inducing plant stress response. Finally, an overview of a recent project to undertake risk analysis and management within CEA operations will be provided.
Cultivating the Future: The Intersection of Vertical Farming, Food Sustainability, and Food Safety
Alycia van der Gracht, Founder of QuantoTech
Bio: Alycia is an entrepreneur. As a founding member of QuantoTech, she oversees investor relations, client services, research and analysis, and day to day operations for the QuantoTech team. Before QuantoTech, Alycia worked at several companies and technology start-ups such as the Alacrity Foundation, CarrotLines, and Media Touch in roles ranging from recruitment to marketing. In her personal life, Alycia had become increasingly interested in knowing where her food came from and how to grow it herself. As her interest developed, her research led her to the conclusion that LED grow lights and systems were the future of horticulture. In 2012, Alycia decided to pursue her research professionally and founded QuantoTech where she engineers solutions to combat food insecurity. Alycia earned a B.A. at the University of Lethbridge with a Major in Sociology. Her continuing professional development activities include attendance at a variety of conferences and events including the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) at the World Trade Centre, the International E-Commerce Essentials program at the World Trade Centre, attending finance bootcamps with Women Tech Founders association, an MITx MicroMasters in Supply Chain, and membership in the TEC community.
Talk Summary:
Alycia's talk will focus on the following points:
Defining vertical farming and its importance
Food sustainability and its impact on food safety
Novel approaches to vertical farming
The intersection of food insecurity and food safety
Vertical farming and HACCP to ensure safety
Call to action - innovation, research, collaboration, investment
Safety through Food and Community: Working with Principles of Dignity, Access and Sustainability with Quest Outreach Society
Theodora Lamb & Janice Martin, Quest Outreach Society: Non-Profit Grocery Markets
Bios: Theodora Lamb, Quest Executive Director: Theodora serves as Executive Director of Quest Outreach Society where she works to disrupt the cycle of poverty through access to healthy and affordable food. By bridging the gap between food banks and traditional grocery stores, Quest provides a grocery experience based on principles of dignity, access, and sustainability across a network of non-profit grocery markets across the Lower Mainland. Theodora is co-founder of Feeding Growth, the program currently run in partnership by Vancity and UBC farms committed to supporting progressive food entrepreneurs interested in scaling their business. Before coming to Quest, Theodora served as the Executive Director of the Strathcona Business Improvement Association where she advocated on behalf of businesses operating across 44 city square blocks on the edge of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Theodora recently retired from the Vancity Board of Directors where she was first elected in 2014, serving BC’s largest credit union membership of 500,000 people as both Chair of Governance and Digital Strategy.
Janice Martin, Quest Director of Food Logistics: Janice Martin is Director of Food Logistics with Quest Outreach Society. A change catalyst and business veteran with over 20 years in leadership roles, Janice supports Quest through the development of its Food Partner Network and ensures a smooth product delivery, from distributor to market to client. Janice has worked with high profile organizations including Ten Thousand Villages and Gordon Food Service. Before joining Quest, Janice founded Magnum Consulting, Inc. where she worked with individuals, independent business owners and organizations creating successful B2C & B2B sales teams, building strategic alliances and growing highly profitable businesses in the retail, hospitality and food service industries. Janice is an accomplished speaker, MC and facilitator working with executives, sales and marketing teams and speaking at industry associations, corporate and community events.
Talk Summary: The focus of our talk will be on how to practice safety through food and community by applying principles of dignity, access and sustainability.
Sustaining Member Display Tables are FREE and are available on first-come, first-serve basis. Contact us at info@bcfoodprotection.ca to reserve a table!
Interested in sponsoring our events? We have
sponsorship packages available, click here to find out more information!
https://www.bcfoodprotection.ca/Sponsorship
Schedule:
5:00-5:30 PM PT Registration and Light Networking
5:30-5:35 PM PT Welcome Remarks
5:35-6:20 PM PT Speaker 1 - Keith Warriner / Univ of Guelph (virtual)
6:20-6:50 PM PT Dinner Intermission and Networking
6:50-7:35 PM PT Speaker 2 - Alycia van der Gracht / QuantoTech (in-person)
7:35-8:20 PM PT Speaker 3 - Theodora Lamb & Janice Martin / Quest Food Exchange (in-person)
8:20-8:30 PM PT Closing Remarks and Door Prizes
Event Rates:
Virtual Rates
$25.00 for Members, $20.00 for Students, $35.00 for Non-Members
In-Person Rates
BCFPA Members – $45.00 for Early Bird, $55.00 for Regular
BCFPA Student/Retired – $25.00 for Early Bird, $35.00 for Regular
Non-Member – $80.00 for Early Bird, $90.00 for Regular
Early bird rate period lasts from now to May 30
Regular rate period lasts from May 31-June 6
