2025 InnovEAT: Hacking Sustainable Solutions to Challenges of Climate Change
SF4C is proud to host the 2025 InnovEAT: Hacking Sustainable Solutions to Challenges of Climate Change. This event is designed to spark collaboration, creativity, and bold thinking around some of the most pressing challenges facing our food system today.
Over the course of this hackathon, students, researchers, and community partners like you will brainstorm, design, and pitch innovative solutions to issues like food insecurity, climate change, nutrition, and food supply resilience. With the guidance of mentors, the support of workshops and resources, and the insights of our judges, participants are encouraged to transform fresh ideas into practical pathways for impact.
InnovEAT is a space for learning, teamwork, and leadership. We are so excited to welcome you to this year’s hackathon and to introduce the incredible facilitators, mentors, and judges who will be guiding and inspiring participants along the way.
Facilitators
Jessie Kennedy, Manager, John F. Wood Centre
Amy Lowther, Intern, John F. Wood Centre
Aaron Misener, Communications Manager, Arrell Food Institute
Jonathan Parkes, PhD Candidate, Sessional Lecturer in Management, University of Guelph
Jeanna Rex, Education Lead, Arrell Food Institute
Emcee: Tyler Zemlak, Manager, Innovation Strategy, Research Innovation Office, University of Guelph
Judges
Jessica Bowes, Assistant Vice-President, Research (Innovation & Knowledge Mobilization), University of Guelph
Dean Chudleigh, Co-Owner, Chudleigh Farms
Mohamad Yaghi, Vice President of Innovation Hub and AgExpert, FCC
Nevin McDougall, Board Chair, Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario
Mentors
Sara Edge, Chair in Food, Policy, & Society Arrell Food Institute, Associate Professor University of Guelph
Evan Fraser, Director, Arrell Food Institute, Professor, University of Guelph
Janice Leboeuf, Sustainable Agriculture Lead, Arrell Food Institute
Andrew MacDougall, Professor, Integrative Biology, University of Guelph
Sadaf Mollaei, Chair in Business of Food, Arrell Food Institute, Assistant Professor University of Guelph
Amy Proulx, Professor and Academic Program Coordinator, Niagara College
Alex Sawatzky, Creative Advisor, Arrell Food Institute
Elizabeth Shantz, Knowledge Mobilization Manager, Arrell Food Institute
Wanhong Yang, Professor Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph
Community Partners
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Strategic Policy Branch (SPB)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is the federal department responsible for supporting the agricultural and agri‑food sector through initiatives that promote innovation and competitiveness. Its mandate spans everything from farm-level production to global market strategies. The Strategic Policy Branch (SPB) acts as AAFC’s central hub for policy development, setting long-term direction and actions to achieve the department’s vision and objectives. It supports complex, cross-cutting initiatives that align with departmental and federal priorities by coordinating multi-stakeholder policy design and developing evidence-based policy advice.
ALUS
ALUS Canada (Alternative Land Use Services) is a national, community-led organization dedicated to supporting farmers and landowners in restoring and enhancing ecosystem services across Canada. By providing innovative solutions that integrate agriculture with environmental stewardship, ALUS helps landowners and communities implement projects that restore natural habitats, improve biodiversity, and contribute to climate resilience. Founded in 2007, ALUS works with farmers, ranchers, Indigenous communities, and municipalities to create “net new nature” on the landscape. This is achieved through voluntary participation in ALUS’s restoration programs, where landowners adopt sustainable practices that enhance ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water filtration, soil health, and wildlife habitat restoration.
AuX Labs Ltd.
AuX Labs Ltd. is a private biotechnology startup founded in 2021 that focuses on precision fermentation. AuX Labs develops nature-identical animal proteins beginning with milk casein via engineered yeast strains and innovation fermentation processes to provide high functionality, animal free cheese proteins that mimic the taste, meltability, and stretch of traditional dairy products.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business is the provincial government body responsible for supporting the growth, sustainability, and innovation of Ontario’s agriculture, food, and rural sectors. It plays a central role in policy development, regulation, economic development, research, and capacity building across the province’s agrifood system. OMAFA works to ensure that Ontario’s food supply is safe, competitive, and sustainable, while promoting the economic vitality of rural communities and enhancing stewardship of natural resources.
Martin’s Family Fruit Farm
Martin’s Family Fruit Farm is a multi-generational, family-owned business rooted in the rich agricultural landscape of Southern Ontario. Originally established as a traditional apple orchard, the company has grown into one of Canada’s leading apple growers and processors, renowned for both its high-quality fresh apples and innovative value-added apple products.
Riverside Natural Foods
Riverside Natural Foods is a Canadian, family-owned company committed to creating innovative, delicious, and nutritious snack foods using only clean-label, plant-based ingredients. Best known as the maker of MadeGood®, Riverside has become a leading player in the natural snacks industry, both in Canada and internationally.
The Sharing Place Food Centre
The Sharing Place Food Centre is a vital community hub in Orillia, Ontario, dedicated to increasing access to healthy, nutritious food for individuals and families facing food insecurity. As a charitable, non-profit organization, The Sharing Place serves thousands of residents each year through its food programs, education initiatives, and community partnerships.
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