An Important Message From FSC’s Board
The past three years have represented remarkable challenges, change and growth for Food Secure Canada (FSC). As the pandemic continues, we have worked to better support and respond to the pressing needs and issues before us, with rising rates of food insecurity and income inequality that have disproportionately impacted Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities. These unprecedented challenges have deeply informed our efforts to support our staff, members, and food movement leaders and communities, and have inspired the development of FSC’s new strategic plan and vision.
Since joining FSC in April 2019, our Executive Director Gisèle Yasmeen has brought so much to our work and has played an important role in the development and success of our organization. FSC’s Board of Directors would like to share the news that Gisèle has decided to depart FSC. Her last day was January 28th, 2022.
During her tenure, FSC has grown in many ways and has advanced a number of significant milestones, including:
- The adoption of a new Strategic Plan;
- The launch and implementation of groundbreaking initiatives and events for FSC, including Cultivating Change, our Growing Resilience and Equity report and our Sustainable Development Goals programming;
- Representation of FSC as a member of the inaugural Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council;
- Mobilization and strategic support of the food movement around federal food policy and FSC’s priorities to advance action around labour, economic and climate justice, anti-racism and decolonisation, and directing successful public campaigns such as Eat Think Vote(link is external).
We are immensely grateful to Gisèle for helping to pave the way to FSC’s exciting future, and for supporting the organisation toward a new phase of maturity to better engage, champion and respond to a growing and diversified food movement. The Board and staff send her our best wishes as she embarks on an exciting new path and continues to work toward a better food system.
Over the coming months, the Board will work closely with staff to ensure continuity as the organization begins recruitment for new leadership. For general inquiries about the transition and strategic directions, you can contact our Board Chair, Melana Roberts at chair[at]foodsecurecanada.org. For questions pertaining to specific projects and initiatives, please contact our Office Manager, Amélie Levesque at admin[at]foodsecurecanada.org.
As we move forward, we are excited to begin engagement activities with our many partners, food movement stakeholders, and with grassroots communities and leaders to advance our new Strategic Plan. In this challenging period, FSC’s renewed mission to support an equitable and empowered food movement is more important than ever – and we are humbled and eager to advance this work with you!
In solidarity,
Melana Roberts
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Food Secure Canada
This is is one section of our mass mailing on Food Secure Canada’s Annual General Assembly. Find the full newsletter here.
