Cutting food waste is good for the planet, but why do some Ontario municipalities do better in managing food waste than others? Samuel Ofori Duah set out to find the answers in his Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies (MASS) research thesis, with the goal of also applying his learnings back home in Ghana one day.

“In Canada, it’s estimated that about 58% of all food produced is either wasted or lost, at a time when millions of people suffer hunger and food insecurity,” says Samuel. “Moreover, carbon dioxide emissions resulting from food and other organic waste disposal are equivalent to 56.6 million tons and the disposal of food waste also leads to the production of methane gases which is 25 times more harmful than CO2.”

Recognizing that managing food waste as one of the best ways to address climate change was one of the reasons that persuaded Samual to pursue a graduate degree at Trent. 

Drawn by strong research-based program structure

Samuel learned about Trent through Dr. David Firang, a professor in Trent’s Department of Social Work, who is also from Ghana. The interdisciplinary and research-based structure of the MASS program, as well as Trent’s renowned faculty made the decision to study in Canada and at Trent, an easy one.

“I knew the M.A. Sustainability Studies program, with its strong research-based structure would help me towards my desired future career,” he adds.

At Trent, Samuel was co-supervised by Dr. Karen Thompson, assistant professor in the Trent School of the Environment, and Dr. Paul Shaffer, professor in International Development Studies.

“The broad range of areas studied by students necessitates faculty working together across disciplines,” says Professor Thompson. “Having two supervisors, one a trained scientist and one on the humanities side helped Samuel get a broader perspective, and have a nicely rounded experience in his training,” says Dr. Thompson.

Samuel is grateful to his supervisors for the special interest they took in his academic and personal well being.

“I came to Trent with little to no knowledge on the food waste management systems in Canada,” he explains. “My supervisors supported me with reading materials and contacts with faculty members in other schools to ensure that I produced high-standard, quality research work, and my mentor, Dr. Firang, who had been an international student himself guided me to settle in and stay focused.”

Opportunities to put learning into action

Through Trent’s partnership with the U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research, Samuel collaborated with Abbey Gardens to gain further hands-on experience through a community survey to assess the factors affecting food waste reduction and diversion at the household level, as well as those that would encourage participation in a community-based composting facility. Samuel presented his findings on the potential of a composting program in Haliburton County a recent U-Links Celebration of Research and to the Abbey Gardens board of directors.

“His research highlighted the need for community-specific food waste management initiatives, and we hope his work will be considered when Haliburton/Dysart moves forward with new food waste management planning,” says Dr. Thompson.