LETTUCE HARVEST VANCOUVER - Key Persons
Alec is a settler and UBC student that joined Lettuce Harvest last summer as a part-time grant researcher and blog writer. As a fourth-year student majoring in Sociology at UBC, Alec is interested in studying the institutions and people who make social change possible, particularly in regards to climate activism, art, and the perceived value of work. When not working, Alec loves to read, run, hike, and sigh while looking longingly at green lawns with so much food potential, but so little yield.
Anna is currently studying a MSC in Environmental Policy and Management but also part of the Climate Guides Food Team. She is passionate about environmental protection and increasing access to locally grown food while also benefitting knowledge of nutritious foods. Previously, she managed a Coworking Space, directing significant efforts towards implementing zero waste schemes and reducing food waste. Anna is a keen explorer and adventurer and loves to camp, ski, hike and bike. She is very excited to launch our program and enable more people to get involved in growing their own food.
Belinda is a first-generation Chinese settler living on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land. She is currently studying Anthropology at UBC, and is particularly interested in the cultural role of food and food growing practices in diasporic and Indigenous communities. In her free time, she likes to read and do pottery. Belinda loves all vegetables but is actually allergic to 芥菜 (Chinese mustard greens) - yes, it's very weird but sadly true.
Cara holds a BSc with Honors in Sustainable Agriculture and Environment at the University of British Columbia. Her interest in socially and environmentally sustainable food systems stems from a childhood love of growing nd connecting with nature. She has seen first hand the role that growing food plays in food sovereignty, building community, and restoring reciprocal relationships with natural environments. Cara has worked with multiple urban farming and food security related organizations focused on food production, education and community building within Vancouver. She is well connected in the Vancouver food community and hopes to continue to engage with her community to push the boundaries of what just, community centred food systems can look like."
Inbar is a second generation Jewish settler from Israel/Palestine living on unceded xʷməθkwəy̓əm Musqueam, Skwxwú7mesh Squamish and Səl̓ílwətaɬ Tsleil-Waututh Nations' territory. She is currently a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in anthropology and minoring in Spanish. Inbar loves food (like most people) and is interested in how food security relates to community building, wellbeing, and disease prevention. She is also interested in the myriad ways different people interact with food, including traditional medicines. In her free time, Inbar likes to do puzzles, tries to figure out how to eat with GERD, and attempts to get over her fear of bugs.
Kaitlyn holds a BA in Environmental Geography and Urban Studies from the University of Toronto with future plans to complete a Master of Community and Regional Planning. Passionate about the intersection of environmental and social well-being, Kaitlyn has spent the past year working for and volunteering with environmental non-profits across British Columbia. She is particularly focused on supporting initiatives that directly increase access to sustainable lifestyle choices. When not working, Kaitlyn can be found wandering in the outdoors, reading a good book, or checking out a new local food spot.
Katheryn is a first-generation Chinese settler living on the unceded, ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She is in her final year at UBC, majoring in Sociology and Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice (GRSJ). Katheryn is particularly interested in community development, policy formation, the history of food production in communities of colour in North America, and how institutions affect people's access to food in terms of their gender, race, and class. In her free time, you can usually find her with a good book or tv show, exploring the city on her bike, or trying to not fall off her longboard in front of people.
Job Titles:
- Director of Engagement / Co - Founder
Logan Cairns hails from Auckland, New Zealand and moved to Canada to pursuit his career in Landscape Architecture. It was Logan's background in art and design, coupled with his passion for the outdoors, that inspired the pursuit of a degree in Landscape Architecture and further into Permaculture. Logan is a passionate designer with an ever-growing interest in sustainability and resilience. Being inspired by urban gardening initiatives around Vancouver, Logan holds a passion for local food systems and the impact they have to help combat climate change as well as fostering resiliency within communities. Logan has a solution focused way of thinking. He strives to provide practical and empowering means of addressing environmental, social and economic issues.
Neil holds an MSc with Distinction in Management from the University of York and BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with archaeology and economics specialties from the University of British Columbia. His interest in food production stems from several research projects on strategies of food production organizations, including an award-winning dissertation analyzing agritech start-up strategies and relationships. Neil is particularly passionate about changing public perceptions of agriculture to develop more accessible and effective food production in urban areas. Deep roots in Vancouver has given him a love for forests, mountains and the ocean. When not working Neil can be found surfing or on the beach in the rain.
Shayna is currently in her undergrad studying Atmospheric Science at the University of Alberta. She is currently actively involved in various different sustainability initiatives at the U of A campus and is a believer in the impact of making personal sustainable changes in everyday life. She is a lover of the great outdoors & sunflowers!
Tanisha grew up in the suburbs of Toronto and always felt a deep appreciation for urban green spaces. The parks, creeks and forests were an oasis of peace in a chaotic world. She did her undergrad at the University of Waterloo and it was near the end of her Biology degree that she realized that environmental sciences could be her calling. And so, she decided to explore this more by working in the environmental field and later getting a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Guelph. She has since worked with different organizations as an outdoor educator, and is currently doing an internship with the Canadian Institute of Forestry. She is thrilled and humbled to join the talented team of Lettuce Harvest who are driven to make a positive and green dent in the world!
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Executive Director
Zoe holds a M.A. in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a B.A. First Class Honours in Sustainability, Political Science and Economics from Dalhousie University. While working to start Lettuce Harvest, Zoe was also putting the final touches on her Master's Thesis Not Milk: Agribusiness and Canada's Food Guide. In recent years, Zoe has focused both her academic and personal work on issues of food justice, serving as a core organizer of both Common Roots Urban Farm and the Dalhousie Urban Garden Society in Halifax, N.S.