Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security Awards Scholarships to Tackle Food Insecurity in Canada

On July 9, 2026, the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security (the Centre), in collaboration with Maple Leaf Foods, announced the recipients of the 2026/27 Maple Leaf Board Scholarships. These scholarships, totaling $60,000, are intended to support research aimed at combating food insecurity in Canada, a pressing issue that affects many communities across the nation.

Each year, the Centre honors the remarkable contributions of past Chairs of the Maple Leaf Foods Board of Directors—David Emerson, Wallace McCain, Purdy Crawford, and W. Geoffrey Beattie—by granting scholarships to deserving graduate students. This initiative aims to further the understanding of food insecurity through rigorous academic research.

Scholarship Recipients

This year, four outstanding doctoral candidates have been awarded $15,000 each:

1. Alexandra Doran (Simon Fraser University): Doran's research will delve into the intersection of food and housing insecurity, particularly among single mothers in Canada. By utilizing both data and personal experiences, her study aims to shed light on the significant overlap of these two pressing issues and propose potential solutions.

2. Firoozeh Bairami Hekmati (Dalhousie University): Bairami Hekmati will explore the impact of Canada's Old Age Security programs on food security for low-income seniors in Atlantic Canada. Her research will investigate how these programs contribute to the overall well-being of older adults facing economic challenges.

3. Diego Bitencourt Minas (Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue): Minas will focus on the urban food environment's effects on Indigenous communities in Maniwaki and Gatineau. His research aims to understand how local organizations are safeguarding traditional food practices while enhancing food security.

4. Sian Borden (Queen's University): Borden's research will engage with African Nova Scotian communities to examine local food systems. Her aim is to support community-driven initiatives that foster greater food security and sovereignty.

Addressing Food Insecurity

Sarah Stern, the Executive Director of the Centre, expressed the urgency of tackling food insecurity in Canada, highlighting the alarming rates that persist across various demographic groups. “These research projects are crucial for building our understanding of at-risk populations and uncovering how government policies and community initiatives can optimize support,” she said.

The Centre's commitment to advancing knowledge on food insecurity has gained traction since the inception of these scholarships in 2020, with a total of 25 students having benefited from this initiative. The organization is dedicated to fostering research that identifies barriers and potential interventions to achieve better food security outcomes.

About the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security

The Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security is a registered charity dedicated to halving food insecurity in Canada by 2030. The Centre actively invests in research, establishes partnerships across sectors, and promotes policy solutions to confront the root causes of food insecurity.

About Maple Leaf Foods

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading consumer packaged goods company focused on protein products. The brand is committed to producing high-quality, responsibly made food and enhancing community welfare through innovative practices. Maple Leaf Foods emphasizes its mission to positively impact food safety and sustainability while nurturing beloved brands and developing extraordinary talent.

For further information about the scholarship process and the Centre's initiatives, please visit the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security's official website.