Youth cultivate passion for business through special food market program
Youth in Food Systems, a program within Seeds of Diversity Canada, is working with high school students in Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo Region to cultivate an understanding of where their food comes from and how it gets sold.
To do this, young participants help set up and run produce stalls throughout the summer. The stalls are focused on fresh, locally grown food and the youth sell the goods, handle money and learn valuable lessons in customer service.
'The goal with the stands is to engage our youth volunteers that we have every summer to get them involved with agri-food, teach them about business, give them a chance to practice entrepreneurship skills and to give them a chance to learn about the food systems that impact our daily lives,' Hannah Paolini, summer staff with Youth in Food Systems, explained.
Produce Youth in Food Systems youth market Kitchener
Several bins of produce sat on a table as part of a youth food market through Youth in Food Systems in Kitchener, Ont. on Aug. 5, 2025. (Krista Simpson/CTV News)
Some of the food comes from local farmers and some is sourced from gardens at schools in the region.
'[The school gardens] are tended to by our youth volunteers. We like to have it as much youth-grown and youth-sold as possible,' Paolini said.
Some of the participants told CTV News the program helps them feel connected to their community.
Paolini explained there are approximately 100 participants in the program this year who take on a variety of roles within the program.
'Some will volunteer just in our gardens, some will volunteer for our website, our social media, as blog post writers. We also have an interview program that we do where we give youth a chance to interview leaders in food systems and ask them questions about their careers and how they got the jobs that they have.'
The markets have suggested prices posted, but operate on a 'pay-what-you-can' model.
'The goal of that is to make fresh produce more accessible and more affordable for folks in the community,' Paolini said. 'We've had really a great success with that already. Folks saying that for those on a limited income or for senior citizens, that they've really benefited from it.'
According to Youth in Food Systems, 40 youth market leaders have led a total of 25 market days since the program began in 2021. They have sold and donated more than 2,500 lbs. of produce.
When are the markets happening?
The Youth Food Markets are open weekly at three locations throughout mid-July to late August.
Eastwood Collegiate Institute (760 Weber Street West, Kitchener)
Tuesdays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Ends Aug. 26
Victoria Hills Community Centre (10 Chopin Drive, Kitchener)
Wednesdays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Ends Aug. 27
Rare Eco Centre (768 Blair Road, Cambridge)
Thursdays from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Ends Aug. 28
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