George Brown College’s 2021 Ambition Nutrition Symposium focused on food literacy, with keynote speakers and sessions dedicated to helping people recognize facts and fiction in an online environment rife with misinformation. The three-day event highlighted food policy and food insecurity as well.
Registrants received a copy of George Brown Chef School instructor and researcher Amy Symington’s The Long Table Cookbook: Plant-Based Recipes for Optimal Health. Symington also led a session on mindful eating for cancer nutrition—the focus of her research. A portion of ticket sales was donated to Gilda’s Club.
The Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts hosted its first Ambition Nutrition Symposium in 2016. The event continues to attract leaders in the fields of nutrition and culinary arts, and other areas. The 2021 event, held May 12 - 14, was virtual due to the pandemic.
Raising awareness about the dangers of misinformation
Canadian author, professor and researcher Timothy Caulfield (pictured above) kicked off the event with his keynote that highlighted the massive amounts of misinformation about health, food and the pandemic circulating online, including claims peddled by celebrities.
“We do live in crazy times,” he said, highlighting bizarre trends such as vampire facials, shoes with “healing” crystals and Gwyneth Paltrow’s twisted take on healthy living (Caulfield is the author of a book entitled Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?).
“Now, we are in the middle of what’s been called an infodemic. It's a term that was coined by the World Health Organization 15 months ago, and it’s entirely accurate because it speaks to the fact that this is about information being twisted.”
Registered dietitian and author Abbey Sharp also tackled the topic of misinformation in her keynote speech Overcoming the Tsunami of Misinformation: A Nutrition Literacy Success Story.
Boosting food literacy in Canada
Food policy analyst Dr. Rod MacRae’s work centres on creating a food system in Canada with a focus on sustainability, health promotion and equity. The title of his keynote address was Does Canada’s National Food Policy Help Advance Food Literacy?
“Unfortunately, the short answer is no,” he said, outlining the complicated current food system in Canada. “It’s complete chaos, and it’s actually amazing that it works.”
MacRae outlined his suggested measures to strengthen food literacy, including food label reform, community food initiatives and a national school food program.
Want to learn more?
The Chef School offers a range of programs focusing on nutrition and food policy, including the Culinary Management – Nutrition, Food and Nutrition Management and the Honours Bachelor of Food Studies programs.
