A treat for our tastebuds and for us
Estimated reading time: 2:05 | By Calum Heimbecker, Photos by Harminder Phull
Under bright autumn skies and the buzz of conversation, the Faculty of Environment community gathered on the EV3 Green for its annual Fall Food Truck Social; a celebration of connection, conversation, and great tastes.
The event offered students, faculty, and staff a well-earned break from the rhythm of the term and a chance to engage outside the classroom. From the aroma of sizzling Jamaican jerk chicken to the sweet scent of crepes, the afternoon was a reminder that community can be built one shared meal at a time.
For many upper-year students, the event has become a tradition.
"It’s a great way for people to connect with familiar and unfamiliar faces. You can see connection happening right now,” said a student motioning to the crowd mingling across the grass.
A student in the Aviation program explained how he feels his program can be quite secluded sometimes. But, events like this allow him to reach out and connect with students and faculty from different programs.
A first-year planning student was particularly impressed with the event. While enjoying lunch from his preferred food truck, he described two surprising connections he made. As he arrived, he got the chance to speak with some upper-year students who gave him advice about balancing studies and leisure, to which events like this help. He also got the chance to speak with some professors.
“It was weird to see them in a different setting, but I enjoyed the conversations and talking to them like I would any of my classmates or friends.”
“Students don’t get to see us outside of our classroom environment all the time,” confirmed Dr. Peter Crank, professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management. “But here they get to see that we are real people too 😉”
As the afternoon went on, attendees went around trying flavours from all around the world, discovering new cultures and tastes. Irie Myrie’s Jamaican cuisine was a crowd favourite, with many washing it down with an iced drink from Hitched Coffee. Our community also got to enjoy flavours from India, Mexico, France, and even some ice cream from Four All for those with a sweet tooth!
Whether a longtime attendee or a first-time visitor, everyone seemed to agree that the Fall Food Truck Social is more than just a lunchtime event. It allows us to step outside of our regular academic and professional settings and into our values – where we prioritize community well-being. In this way, the event was both a treat for our tastebuds and for us as a collective.
Participating in global scientific collaborations is central to how the Faculty of Environment advances its vision of driving transformative change for people and the planet. It also reflects a broader strength of the University of Waterloo, which is known for championing partnerships across academia, industry, and communities. This commitment to collaboration fuels boundary-breaking research and is one of the many reasons Waterloo is recognized as a leader in sustainability research and education.
