Courtney Strutt has been working in the field of community-based research and program development for over 15 years with a focus in education, Indigenous community development, and food systems work in the era of climate change. These areas of focus coalesced in her role as the Emergency Food Plan Coordinator with the Thunder Bay + Area Food Strategy, where she has guided the development of a collaborative community-led Emergency Food Plan for Thunder Bay, the first of its kind in the city.