OUR TEAM
Andrew Jackson
Program Manager
Hello! I’m Andrew. I originally joined Youth in Food Systems back 2020 as a summer staff and returned for summer 2023. I’m now back with YFS for the third time and stepping into the role of Program Manager. I have a Masters in Environmental Studies and am passionate about creating impactful opportunities to strengthen our communities and improve our relationship with nature…… that’s why I think YFS is awesome!
This is a project that exists within and throughout communities all across Waterloo Region with the chance to not just impact youth but through our youth volunteers impact all community members that our programs impact!
Email: andrew@seeds.ca
Rayna Almas
Communications and Administration Lead
Hi everyone! I’m Rayna and I joined Youth in Food Systems back in 2019 as a summer student while finishing up my BASc. in Child, Youth, and Family at the University of Guelph. This work then inspired me to pursue graduate studies in Food Security and Urban Agriculture.
This project means a lot to me because young people should understand how interesting, complex, and worthwhile food systems work can be, and how possible it is for them to be agents of change. Our current industrialized food systems are neither healthy nor sustainable and we have the opportunity to inspire lasting change.
Email: rayna@seeds.ca
Allison Eady
Research and Evaluation Lead
Hi! I’m Allison and I joined Seeds of Diversity in 2019 to help grow the School Food Gardens program. As a PhD Candidate in Community psychology, I am so excited to be able to continue the work I started through a scan of school gardens in Waterloo Region that helped create this project. One of the things I appreciate most about working with Seeds of Diversity and the School Food Gardens / Youth in Food Systems program is the chance to connect research and action to keep growing and improving the work we do. I love working with schools to help them plan and build their dream gardens, and connecting with youth learning about all of the ways we can create change in our food systems.