The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS) is a multidisciplinary Applied Research Institute at KPU that aims to shape local and regional food systems that nurture people's health and well-being and sustain thriving ecosystems.
Institute for Sustainable Food Systems
We engage in applied research and extension outreach activities to cultivate sustainable regional food systems that advance the food sovereignty goals of diverse communities. Our applied research focuses on the potential of regional food systems in terms of agriculture and food, economics, community health, Indigenous food sovereignty, food policy, and environmental integrity.
Our research team investigates and supports regional food systems as key elements of sustainable communities. Community collaboration is central to our research and extension approach. We focus predominantly on British Columbia while developing our extension programming and bringing positive impacts to other regions.
Our extension programs support local farmers, communities, Indigenous people, businesses, policymakers, and others.
Read the ISFS infographics and our 2021-2025 strategic plan here to know more about our impactful work.
News at the ISFS
Sign up for the Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop on March 29, 2025 in Richmond
The Art and Science of Fruit Tree Pruning: A Hands-On Workshop for Bountiful Harvests
Register HERE
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This workshop is ideal for home gardeners, orchardists, and anyone interested in learning the art and science of fruit tree pruning. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, you'll gain valuable insights to improve your pruning skills. Join us for an engaging workshop on fruit tree pruning! Learn the art of shaping and maintaining trees and shrubs from our expert instructor, Dr. Kent Mullinix. Whether you're a beginner looking to refine your skills or an experienced gardener wanting to learn new techniques, this hands-on workshop is perfect for you.
Sign up for the Dry Farming Collaborative Newsletter Here
Learn more about our research and extension projects under the Farming and Drought Resilience
The ISFS facilitated a regional farmer dialogue, in Dec 2023, to document the scope and scale of drought impacts experienced by farmers in the Comox Valley and to identify their priorities for research, extension, and coordinated action to build drought resilience.
This discussion is summarized here:
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KPU Richmond Farm School is accepting applications for 2025!
Richmond Farm School Online Information Session
Are you interested in the Richmond Farm School but feel like you need some more information? Join our online Info Session. You will get to know the farm school staff and we'll share details about the Farm School Program followed by some Q&A.
Join our online Info Session on Wednesday, Feb 26 and Mar 5, at 6:30 pm. Register HERE
Learn more about the program here
The ISFS has launched its YouTube Channel!
Our KPU Institute for Sustainable Food Systems YouTube channel is now up and running! The channel will host our past webinars and research-related videos.
Be sure to visit and subscribe to stay up-to-date with our new content!
The Future of B.C.'s Food System
In July 2019, the province of British Columbia appointed the B.C. Food Security Task Force - based on a commitment made in the 2019 Throne Speech. The Task Force has a mandate to provide recommendations on how to apply agri-technologies (“agritech”) to enhance agricultural productivity, economic competitiveness and sustainability ; grow the emerging agritech sector in B.C. as a standalone economic sector ; and support the objectives of CleanBC through the adoption of technologies and practices that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase access to fresh, healthy food and stimulate local economic activity.
In January 2020, the Task Force released findings and recommendations from their work entitled The Future of B.C.'s Food System. The Task Force advances recommendations for agritech-centred approach to sustainably increase domestic food production, eradicate food security and hunger, and increase economic prosperity and competitiveness of B.C.'s agriculture sector.
While we believe that technology has a role to play in the development of sustainable food systems, we also strongly believe that it should not be viewed as a silver bullet for the food system. In our Response to the Findings and Recommendations of the BC Food Security Task Force, we present information that was overlooked in the report, as well as perspectives that call into question the extent to which agritech can, or should, be relied upon to contribute to, and shape our food system future in British Columbia.
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