PROJECTS
FEAST: GROWING INDIGENOUS FOOD TOURISM IN ONTARIO, 2020
Special Projects Coordinator (2020) & Director of Operations (2021 - 2022)
As one of two Special Projects Coordinators with Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) in 2020, Leni worked alongside the Culinary Tourism Alliance and industry partners to develop FEAST: Growing Indigenous Food Tourism in Ontario. This is a first-of-its-kind strategy to support the growth of Indigenous food tourism in the province. The strategy is the foundation on which stakeholders can build, harness opportunities, and respond to visitor demands while showcasing diverse Indigenous cultures in Ontario through genuine food moments.
From 2021 - 2022, Leni also worked on a number of FEAST implementation activities which included:
A press release and awareness campaign for the release of the strategy.
An ongoing social media awareness campaign.
A partnership with Destination Northern Ontario to support Indigenous food businesses in that region.
Participation in the culinary programming for the annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival.
A series of talks and videos on themes surrounding Indigenous foods and chefs, produced in partnership with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
By bringing awareness to Indigenous foods, traditions, and their strong connection to culture, ITO aims to support Indigenous producers, foragers, chefs, and tourism operators to meet the continually growing demand for unique and authentic food experiences.
FEAST: Growing Indigenous Food Tourism in Ontario was recently featured as a case study in the hospitality textbook Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Principles of Sustainable Operations, 4th ed.