Why Investing in Youth and Women Can Transform Food Systems
Release Date: 08/19/2025
Food Is Culture: Rebuilding Urban Food Systems With Dignity
Zero Hunger Project
Food is more than fuel. It carries memory, identity, and dignity and when food systems ignore that, people are left behind. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Dr. Jo Sharma, Associate Professor of Food and Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto and a founding member of the Culinaria Research Centre, explains why food security, food sovereignty, and food infrastructure cannot exist in silos especially in cities. You’ll hear how urban design, public space, and policy choices shape who eats well and who does not, often along cultural and economic lines. Street food, local...
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Leaving No One Behind: Ending Hunger in Pakistan From the Ground Up
Zero Hunger Project
Change begins where people are heard, not where policies sit on paper. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Zia Rehman, Chief Executive Officer of AwazCDS-Pakistan, speaks from decades of work alongside marginalized communities across the country. He explains why hunger in Pakistan cannot be separated from poverty, land inequality, education gaps, and the exclusion of women, youth, and minority groups from policy-making. You’ll hear how community-led action, local evidence, and grassroots organizing turn global goals into real change on the ground. This conversation...
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Feeding The Planet Sustainably: Rethinking The Global Food System
Zero Hunger Project
A hunger‑free future is possible when food systems work with people and the planet. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Dr. Navin Ramankutty, Professor at the University of British Columbia, breaks down why hunger, climate change, public health, and farmer livelihoods are inseparable. He explains how past progress against hunger was real, why it stalled, and what responsible solutions must account for today. You’ll hear why diversification, not just of crops, but of farms, incomes, and supply chains builds resilience in a changing climate. The conversation also...
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From Kitchen to Community: Chef’s Global Fight Against Food Waste
Zero Hunger Project
Food has always carried the power to nourish, teach, and connect but only when it is treated with care and intention. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Andy Cuthbert, President of WORLDCHEFS (World Association of Chefs Societies), reflects on a lifetime in the kitchen and a global career dedicated to mentorship, sustainability, and responsible food practices. From eliminating waste to educating children about farming, nutrition, and local food systems, he explains how chefs can lead real change far beyond the plate. Ending hunger is about using what already exists with...
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Why Policy Is the Missing Link in Canada’s Food Security Crisis
Zero Hunger Project
A better food system is possible and it starts with people choosing to lead together. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Ryan Turnbull, Founder of the Sustainable Finance Forum, challenges you to see hunger not as a single failure, but as a system that can be redesigned with intention and care. Ryan breaks down how food insecurity connects farming, affordability, education, and policy and why lasting solutions require collaboration across sectors. From Canada’s National School Food Program to strengthening local food infrastructure, Ryan shows how aligned policy...
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When Machines Meet Humanity: The Future of Ending Hunger
Zero Hunger Project
Every movement for a hunger-free world begins with a moment of honesty. A pause where you ask yourself what change is truly possible. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Jaron Porciello, Associate Director at Cornell University, challenges you to rethink how evidence, technology, and human connection shape the global fight against hunger. Jaron breaks down what half a million research articles revealed through Ceres2030: the world lacks shared definitions, clear costs, and coordinated action. She shows you why hunger is a systems problem held together by human choices,...
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From Policy to Plate: Building Sustainable Food Systems
Zero Hunger Project
A better food future starts with the choices we make and the courage to reimagine what’s possible In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Paul Newnham, CEO of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, speaks about how bold policy, local action, and global collaboration can reshape the entire food system. Paul walks you through the challenges that continue to shape our world: rising food prices, climate pressures, and political instability. You’ll learn how the Chefs’ Manifesto, Beans Is How, and global dialogues across continents are shifting the narrative from crisis to opportunity....
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The Power of Political Will: How Uzbekistan Is Ending Poverty
Zero Hunger Project
Progress accelerates when leadership chooses people first. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Bahrom Khidirbaev and Diydor Berdiklichev talk about how their nation reduced poverty from 35% to 6.6% in just seven years, a transformation driven by empathy, data, and decisive action. Bahrom shares how Uzbekistan built an inclusive system where every community has a dedicated social worker and over 100 coordinated social programs under one agency. Diydor offers a data-driven look at the country’s progress and how economic growth and social protection go hand in hand. ...
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From Soil to Stove: Building Food Sovereignty in Yukon
Zero Hunger Project
Hope takes root in the soil and flourishes in the hearts of those who nurture it. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Meesha Wittkopf, founder of the Youth Coalition 4 Food Security North project, shares how local leadership, youth action, and Indigenous knowledge are transforming food security across the Yukon. Meesha paints a vivid picture of northern communities facing steep challenges, from rising food costs to shrinking government support, while growing hope through community-led gardens, cultural food programs, and youth-driven projects that feed both body and spirit....
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The Hidden Food Crisis Fueling Climate Change with Michael Grunwald
Zero Hunger Project
Every meal we eat tells a story about our planet. In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, Michael Grunwald, award-winning author, journalist, and speaker, pulls back the curtain on how our food system quietly drives both hunger and climate change. Michael reveals that agriculture, more than factories or cities, is consuming the Earth. Forests are cleared, water is drained, and yet millions still go hungry. He shares why the answer isn’t nostalgia for old farming ways, but innovation, better policies, and smarter choices that can feed everyone without destroying what sustains us....
info_outlineReal change in food systems starts by including those who are too often left out.
In this episode of the Zero Hunger Project, our guest, Kazuki Kitaoka, Director of the Office of Youth and Women at FAO, explains why meaningful investment in youth and women is essential to building a food-secure future.
Kazuki reflects on community-led initiatives in India and Latin America, where women-run cooperatives and interlinked networks are creating real innovation. He explores how youth and women are already leading efforts to shape agri-food systems that are more sustainable, inclusive, and rooted in culture and identity.
You’ll also hear why social media, education reform, and rethinking leadership matter more than ever.
If you believe hunger is a solvable challenge, tune in and hear why change begins with listening, investment, and trust in the next generation. ▶️ Why Investing in Youth and Women Can Transform Food Systems.
Kazuki Kitaoka is the Director of the Office of Youth and Women at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, where he leads the World Food Forum. His work champions youth and women's empowerment in agri-food systems, advancing global efforts toward achieving Zero Hunger. Under his leadership, the Forum has become a powerful platform for youth-led innovation, policy advocacy, and inclusive education in food systems. Kazuki emphasizes equity, intergenerational collaboration, and the inclusion of underrepresented communities in shaping food policy.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazuki-kitaoka-1a51b5/
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Suman Roy is a globally recognized leader in food security, poverty reduction, and community resilience. As the founder of Feed Scarborough and a key force behind Hunger-Free Canada and the Zero Hunger Project, he is dedicated to ensuring no one goes to bed hungry. He played a pivotal role in crafting Toronto’s first Food Strategy and has represented Canada at the United Nations and the FAO to champion sustainable development goals. With multiple global leadership awards, including CEO of the Year (NGO) and Visionary of the Year, Suman is a sought-after expert on global food security. His mission is clear: to create a hunger-free, resilient future for all.
Website: https://sumanroy.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chef.suman.7
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefsuman/
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWrU2TbiLazorpOHjsDJhkA
Stacia Neale, M.A., is a seasoned professional dedicated to fostering equality, representation, and social justice. With a background in sociology and decades of experience across entrepreneurial, non-profit, and corporate sectors, she brings a unique perspective to addressing systemic challenges. During the pandemic, she launched The Skills Audit, a transformative program empowering individuals to articulate their professional identities and maximize their potential. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and creating opportunities for growth. Through authenticity and advocacy, Stacia continues to champion meaningful change on a global scale.
Website: https://www.theskillsaudit.ca/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacianeale/
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