The lab placed the issue of food waste into the minds of staff on my retail floor. They were empowered—their choices were having direct impact on the massive problem of food waste
Feedback from a CFIL-1 participant
Funding partners
- Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance External website, opens in new tab
- Environment and Climate Change Canada External website, opens in new tab
- Mitacs External website, opens in new tab
Project contributors
- Businesses
- Institutions
- Organizations
- Local Nations
- Urban Indigenous community representatives
The second Circular Food Innovation Lab (CFIL-2) was a collaborative public sector research lab focused on reducing food waste in Vancouver.
We partnered with Emily Carr University to bring together 35 Vancouver-based food organizations for an 18-month project from September 2024 to March 2026.
Using action research, co-design, and storytelling, we worked toward a more equitable and circular food system in Vancouver. We explored ways to improve systems, structures, and behaviours to help prevent and reduce food waste and support more circular food practices.
The lab included participants from:
- Grocery stores
- Food producers and distributors
- Food service providers
- Food rescue organizations
- Health agencies
- Municipal and Indigenous governments
Circular Food Innovation Lab 2 (CFIL-2) report
Final report: Towards Equity and Circularity in Vancouver’s Food System
Learn more about who was involved in the lab, how we worked together, our focus areas, and what the lab produced.
Contact us
Email: [email protected]