Patricia Reichert

As a local food systems specialist, Patricia Reichert works with communities to develop place-based food infrastructure. Reichert collaborates with non-government organizations, governments, food producers, grocers, restaurants and educators to create innovative strategies to revitalise the local food economy. In an increasingly chaotic global context and with climate change imperative, Reichert believes inaction is not an option and placing local values at the centre of our food system is a core priority. She is passionate about supporting community change based on values of local sovereignty, diversity and equity.

Over the past decade, Reichert has conducted original food production research and community needs studies that are the building blocks for reversing the decline of local food infrastructure. Interdisciplinary research and participatory action are the touchstones of Reichert’s professional career and academic choices. Her understanding of climate change takes food and agriculture into account in climate mitigation and adaptation. Food is cultural, biological and political and she considers the intersection of all of these dimensions in her research. Reichert holds a Master of Arts in Sociology/Social Studies from the University of Regina (1996).