

This research project is funded through the generosity of the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance External link icon and Mitacs External link icon.
Thank you for your investment in a future where there is no waste.
Learning Out Loud
Follow what we’ve been learning and trying External link icon
We've partnered with the Vancouver Economic Commission and Emily Carr University to create the Circular Food Innovation Lab to:
- Test solutions to eliminate avoidable food waste
- Increase circularity across Vancouver’s food supply chain
18 businesses selected to participate
As part of an open recruitment earlier in 2022, 18 businesses from Vancouver’s food supply chain were selected to participate in the Circular Food Innovation Lab (CFIL).
Working closely with the Emily Carr University design team, they have co-developed and are testing prototype concepts to reduce the waste of edible food within their operations. Participation in the lab, advice, services, and tools have all been provided free of charge as part of CFIL.
Sign up to receive the final report coming out in early 2023.
What's happeningRegistration open for Vancouver food businesses and their food supply chain
Join Martin Gooch External website, opens in new tab and Keith Renfrey External website, opens in new tab to participate in this timely and relevant workshop:
From Supply Chain to Value Chain:
How to increase economic resiliency for your food business
Value Chain Management International has shown that “businesses can improve financial performance by 10 plus per cent through implementing simple practices that lead to more effective processes. At the workshop, participants will receive a process improvement toolkit, including a workbook divided into easy-to-follow steps.”
Who should participate in the workshop
Food producers, distributors, processors, restaurants, cafés, grocers, and other food businesses are invited to participate along with members of your supply chain.
No fee to participate.
Read more about the workshop PDF file (396 KB)
Register for the workshop External website, opens in new tab
Note Spaces for this in-person workshop are limited.
Why reduce food waste?
A Canadian report released in 2019 estimated that 8.79 million tonnes of avoidable, unplanned food waste resulted in a loss of $39 billion dollars to the food industry.
In Vancouver, 25,000 tonnes of edible food was discarded by businesses in 2019, representing a loss of 37,000 meals.
The World Resources Institute also found that for every $1 invested in preventing and reducing wasted food, businesses saved $14.
Timeline
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May 2021
External funding approved for Food Waste Innovation Lab project
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Mar - Apr 2022
Businesses invited to participate
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Apr 2022
Selection of initial participants
Intake is ongoing until spaces are filled -
May - June 2022
Project underway with selected participants
Observation and learning
Design team visits to business sites
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July - Aug 2022
Development and experimentation
Initial prototype solutions
Gathering of learnings and sharing with all participants
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Sept 2022 - Oct 2023
Deeper development of promising prototype solutions
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We are here
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Feb - May 2023
Public report on learnings and next steps
Contact us
For more information, email solving-food-waste@vancouver.ca