Goal 2: Zero hunger

The University of Manitoba actively supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2— Zero Hunger — through a robust mix of publishing high-impact peer-reviewed research, academic programs and research institutes, campus initiatives such as a student-run food bank, and engaging with local, national and global communities through outreach and research to directly address hunger and support sustainable, nutritional food production.

The University of Manitoba demonstrates ongoing commitment via interdisciplinary research, student education, campus initiatives, and Indigenous-led sustainable agriculture. These efforts ensure UM’s significant role in advancing SDG 2, ending hunger, and preparing future leaders for a food-secure, climate-resilient world.

• Direct knowledge exchange with farmers in 5+ countries.
• Canada's longest-running organic-versus-conventional crop study.

Accelerating crop and soil research

The unique Prairie Crops and Soils Research Facility allows us to accelerate soil and crop research far beyond what is currently possible, directly benefitting local farmers. Its focus on practical, locally relevant innovations benefits farmers directly by improving crop yields, soil health, and sustainable farming practices, which are essential components of ending hunger and promoting food security. It complements and enhances the work done in UM’s Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research. Researchers in these advanced labs partner with the food industry in collaborative research and pre-commercial development activities, focusing on advancing food quality and human nutrition through traditional and innovative food processing techniques.

Advancing innovation in the potato industry

Nineteen industry partners joined with the University of Manitoba to create the novel Chair in Potato Sustainability, a transformative initiative aimed at educating students and advancing innovation and sustainability in the potato industry, creating opportunities for knowledge-exchange and producer networking. The insights directly benefit local farmers in growing healthier potatoes in healthier soil.

World leaders in designing agricultural systems

The Natural Systems Agriculture group oversees Canada’s longest-running organic-versus-conventional crop study and is a world leader in designing agricultural systems so they function on a basis of ecology. Working directly with farmers in Canada and around the world (with deep partnerships in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Kenya and Zimbabwe) the group networks with producers to learn and share ideas that help advance our understanding of sustainable agriculture.

Supporting students' research

The RBC Scholars in Sustainable Agriculture program supports students’ research in low-emission agricultural and food systems, fostering innovation in climate-resilient farming.

Top ranked scientists

Dilantha Fernando, a UM professor in the Department of Plant Science, has been ranked among the world’s top two per cent of scientists by Stanford University, a recognition reserved for researchers whose contributions have demonstrated exceptional impact and consistency. Fernando’s research focuses primarily on agricultural sustainability. His research focuses on sustainable disease management in agriculture, particularly addressing plant pathogens affecting canola and cereal crops.

Every month the UM Food Bank supports upwards of 600 students facing food insecurity by providing access to nutritious and healthy food. UM also has emergency student loans to help students to prevent or alleviate hunger.

Staff facing food insecurity have access to resources, and awareness programs help other staff members to spot the signs of distress and assist.

Initiatives like the UM Permaculture Garden and Rainbow Gardens help produce local, sustainable food for the community and increase biodiversity. The Rainbow Gardens community garden provides immigrant families with space to grow culturally significant foods, share culinary traditions, and build community connections.

The University of Manitoba’s Office of Sustainability encourages dialogue on improving the food system and supports food security research, offering resources to students on how they can help, including the student-led Nutrition Education Community Outreach program, which provides evidence-based dietary information to the community.

The University of Manitoba’s procurement policy (PDF) requires purchases to consider and prioritize social, environmental, and economic impacts of all its purchases, including local and sustainable sourcing.

In 2018, the UM Bannatyne Campus was designated Canada’s 33rd Fair Trade Campus, providing sustainable choices to staff and students. Today, it is the only such designated campus in Winnipeg. And Degrees Diner and Daily Bread Café offer sustainable, affordable food choices for all, including vegan and vegetarian options.

The University of Manitoba follows its “Be Well. Do Well.” sustainability plan, which not only provides tasty, healthy food options but also fosters a culture of health and wellness on campus. We follow the 4 Es:

The 4 Es

Enable

Enable a food environment that encourages health and wellbeing by offering a variety of healthy choices every day.

Educate

Educate, inform, and empower the student community by providing evidence-based nutrition and wellness information.

Encourage

Encourage a heightened level of interest and excitement about healthy and local choices.

Engage

Engage a community that actively participates in and is connected to a culture of health and wellness.

Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre

The Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, located at the Glenlea Research Station, provides hands-on public education about sustainable food production from farm to table, highlighting scientific advancements in agriculture.

Department of Biosystems Engineering

The Department of Biosystems Engineering is committed to promoting advancements of the agricultural engineering profession and fostering sustainable practices through UM-Resources for Agricultural Engineering (UM-RAE). This office serves as a hub of knowledge transfer with a mission to empower farmers and rural communities through the application of cutting-edge technologies and knowledge dissemination through forums such as podcasts, lectures and events for farmers and food producers.

The LEAP program

The LEAP program (Leveraging Ecosystems to transform Agriculture on the Prairies) collaborates with First Nations and local farmers and industry partners to develop net-zero farming systems, integrating research into farm systems to help agriculture mitigate and adapt to negative effects of climate change and continue feeding the world.

Nutrition Education Community Outreach program

The student-led Nutrition Education Community Outreach program provides food security knowledge to anyone who asks.

The Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research

The Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research partners with food producers by offering our laboratories and researchers to help develop foods and advance food quality and human nutrition through traditional and innovative food processing techniques.

MAKE (Manitoba Agriculture and Food Knowledge Exchange)

MAKE (Manitoba Agriculture and Food Knowledge Exchange) sees that Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences research shapes agriculture and food production in Manitoba and around the world. Research covers protein foods innovations, food safety and nutrition, crop breeding, animal care, environment health, sustainability practices to continuously improve our shared food system and more.