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Meet Katie

We were incredibly fortunate to have a fantastic summer student join our program team this year. Katie Biggs came on board as our Summer Program Assistant through Canada Summer Jobs. We’re so grateful for all the great work she contributed to our programs over the summer. Keep reading to learn more about Katie and her experience with us!

What drew you to get involved with Nourish Nova Scotia?

I’ve always had a passion for working with youth; whether that was at a youth wellness centre or coaching volleyball, it was something I truly loved. I was also interested in food inequality, but it wasn’t until I took a food systems course in school that my passion really grew, and I started learning more about the policies and programs around it. That’s when I came across Nourish Nova Scotia, and it felt like the perfect fit, a place where I could bring those two passions together.
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What stood out to me most was Nourish’s mission: to inspire and equip young people in Nova Scotia to learn about food and transform the food systems around them. Their values and passions align so closely with mine that it felt like a no-brainer to apply and help support their vision that young people are well-nourished to live, learn, and play.

What is a food story you cherish?

A food story I cherish most would be one I shared with my Aunt Wanda. Growing up, I was always excited for family gatherings because I knew she would cook something, and she was by far the best chef I’ve ever known. She carried so much knowledge about ingredients, flavours, and techniques that always left me in awe of her.
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But my most cherished memory was during a time when I was really struggling with my own relationship with food and was questioning if I should even be studying it. We sat down at her kitchen table because she was helping me plan for a cooking class I was leading. Instead of talking about what would taste the best, she talked about what would matter most for the youth; what recipes could they make at home, what skills could they carry with them? She reminded me that many of the youth weren’t just there to learn cooking skills, but were there for a meal.
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That conversation helped me see food in a completely different light. Food isn’t only about flavour; it’s a way to care for others, to connect, and to create meaning. In that moment, I knew that this was what I wanted to study, and that I wanted to help others see food in this way too. I am where I am today because of my Aunt and am forever grateful for that moment with her.

How do you see young people helping to influence food systems today?

Through my time with Nourish, I’ve seen how much young people can shape the way we think about food. In workshops, they aren’t just learning new skills; they’re experimenting, asking questions, and making their own choices about what goes into their food. In the garden, I’ve watched them take ownership by helping take care of plants and getting excited about tasting and trying new things. Moments like these build confidence, and that confidence can ripple out, helping youth influence their friends, families, and communities. That’s how change in the food system begins.

What was your biggest take-away from your time at Nourish Nova Scotia?

One of my biggest takeaways from my time at Nourish is how much youth truly care. In the garden and workshops, I saw their excitement firsthand; their eyes lit up as they learned how to take care of plants and make their own salad dressings.

Once youth have the opportunity to be in a space where they feel comfortable, you can see just how curious and eager to learn they really are. That showed me how important it is to create environments where youth can explore food without pressure or intimidation, and Nourish is doing exactly that, and I can’t wait to see the impact it will continue to have in the future.