On January 20, 2021, we lost a true friend and warrior for food system reform -
Wayne Roberts, organizer, writer, speaker, food system innovator, friend and colleague to many, partner, father and grandfather.
I first landed in Wayne's orbit back in 2002 when I was just starting to explore my professional interest in food and farming. I went to a food policy session at the IFOAM Conference (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) held in Victoria, BC. Needless to say, I was impressed with this knowledgeable, gregarious person who knew a lot about the world I wanted to be in. Then less than six months later, I was astonished to be working with Nicola Ross (Loops and Lattes hiking series) through the Caledon Countryside Alliance and Wayne Roberts with the Toronto Food Policy Council to organize the first-ever Ontario Local Food Conference at Montgomery's Inn early in 2003. Little did I know that I would be organizing several more conferences with Wayne, and then working with a group of committed food advocates and businesses to establish and grow Sustain Ontario (The Alliance for Healthy Food and Farming). Over the years Wayne has spoken at conferences, written articles and connected with Headwaters Region to share his wisdom.
The magic of Wayne was his genuine passion for making the world a better place and connecting people with wisdom, wit and a positive attitude. He wrote books, spoke at conferences and travelled the world to help build a better, fairer food system. He helped grow many organizations and lent his time and voice to them, including FoodShare, Sustain Ontario, Food Secure Canada and Farm to Cafeteria Canada. He was the driving force behind the Toronto Food Policy Council for a decade. He had a whole life before that, advocating for labour and the green economy. He also made time for diverse activities like being on the editorial board of Alternatives Journal, writing for NOW Magazine and so much more.
Signe Ball, publisher of In the Hills, connected with Wayne as a student and recounted her remembrance of him: "Many years often passed between our encounters but he always greeted me like an old war buddy, and we'd just pick up the conversation where we'd left off. He was inevitably so positive and committed to the idea that the world could be better if we'd just put our shoulder to it and give it a little shove, I always came away from seeing him with my shaky faith in humanity restored."
What was not as widely known was his connection with Lori Stahlbrand - his wife, partner and collaborator in food work. You always knew that while he gave everybody else so much time, the biggest spot in his heart was reserved for his girls - Lori, daughters Anika and Jamie, and most recently young granddaughter Dori.
We met again in Victoria for the 2019 Farm to School Conference. Always the ambassador with a magnanimous smile, Wayne entertained us with stories and posed for the picture below with Jennifer Payne and me.
Wayne will be missed but he left behind enough inspired people (and books) to carry on his work. It is our turn now. Rest in peace, dear friend, you have left the world a better place.
Karen Hutchinson, Local Foodie, Caledon and Headwaters
Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance/Headwaters Communities In Action
Caledon Countryside Alliance
Albion Hills Community Farm
