University of Alberta international week / Hungry for change: Transcending feast, Famine, and Frenzy
Jan. 30-Feb. 6. Info: www.iweek.ualberta.ca.
Dr. John-Paul Himka: How States Cause Famines. Timms Centre for the Arts (112 St. & 87 Ave). Mon, Feb 2 (2 pm)
Cmdr. Chris Dickinson: Ships, Food & Pirates: Delivering Aid On the High Seas. Dinwoodie Lounge (Students Union Building, U of A). Mon, Feb 2 (5pm)
Food:  Today, Tomorrow, Together
Barnett House (142 St & 109 Ave). Jan 29-31. Admission: $160 for the full conference. Info: www.foodalberta.org.

Edmonton boasts grocery stores stuffed with imported watermelons, tomatoes, bananas, and many other fresh fruits and vegetables from across the continent and beyond. For most people, a staggering variety of food is available with little more effort than opening the fridge door.

The debate around how that food gets there — and how to help those who are less fortunate obtain it — has been raging for years. The discussion heats up this weekend with two conferences focused on all things food.

The University of Alberta’s International Week, Hungry for Change: Transcending Feast, Famine and Frenzy, brings in experts from around the world to talk about their experiences. One of the more compelling guests is Cmdr. Chris Dickinson, who will talk about the military support needed to deliver food aid to Somalia. U of A professor John-Paul Himka, meanwhile, offers a skepticism take on the impact of Canadian aid after the onset of famine.

The Alberta experience is the focus of the action-oriented Food: Today, Tomorrow Together conference, which brings together farmers, food processors, and eaters for a weekend of coalition-building and, hopefully, problem-solving. Ivor MacKay will be on hand to provide an account of his experiences eating local foods, and provide some quick tips for novice locavores.

From the Indian Ocean to the bustling Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market in the heart of Edmonton, SEE Magazine spoke with some of the people who are working towards food security. Here are their perspectives.