Jennifer Mitsche

Background

About Jennifer Mitsche

I'm a researcher, professor teaching in GBC's Honours Bachelor of Food Studies program, and writer advocating for a healthy, sustainable, and equitable campus food culture. I'm curious about the social function of food and how communal food practices can build healthier communities, create opportunities for a different kind of learning, and support ecological sustainability. I'm currently leading a 2-year research project, funded by NSERC’s Community and College Social Innovation Fund, which builds on the findings of our 3-year research project (2020 -2023), the outcome of which was virtual and in-person food programming that prioritizes access to nourishing food and food literacy as an essential part of the learning environment.I'm also leading a team that has launched GBC's first communal lunch program, a whole food and community engagement program that provides opportunities for non-culinary students to cook with chefs and learn how to prepare easy, seasonal, affordable and DELICIOUS meals. Students then take time to sit together at communal tables to enjoy a meal together. It's not something we're used to doing in institutional spaces, but it's working!